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India commercial rocket takes off
India's first commercial rocket has been launched into space.
The rocket, a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), took off from the Sriharikota base in southern India at 1530 Indian time (1000 GMT).
It is carrying a 352kg Italian satellite which will gather information about the origins of the universe, the AFP news agency reports.
India's space programme includes an unmanned mission to the Moon which is due to take place next year.
