India launches South Asia Satellite

Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the South Asia Satellite on 5th May 2017. The communication and broadcasting satellite was launched with Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV F-09  at 4.57 pm from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.

The South Asia Satellite was launched after a 28-hour long countdown that started on 4th May 2017 at 12.57pm.

Six of India’s neighbours including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Srilanka and the Maldives were the participants of the space-based regional communication project.

Key Highlights

• South Asia Satellite, also known as the GSAT-9, is a geosynchronous satellite and will be used for broadcasting, telemedicine, telecommunication, and disaster management purposes.
• It involves space diplomacy for regional cooperation and serves as an example for the space technology application for collective development goals.
• The satellite weighing 2230 kg when lifted off and carrying 12 Ku-Band transponders was been developed at a cost of about 235-crore rupees.
• The total project cost including the launch is worked out to be about 450-crore rupees.
• The intended satellite operational life is more than 12 years.