South Asia Communication Satellite, India’s Gift To The Region, Launched Successfully By ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the much-anticipated South Asia Communication Satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent radio address to the nation, 'Mann Ki Baat', said the South Asia Satellite is India's gift to the region and will go a long way in addressing the economic and development priorities of the countries here.

Six of India's neighbours – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives – are participating in the space-based regional communication project.

The satellite, weighing 2,230kg during lift off and carrying 12 Ku-Band transponders, has been developed at a cost of about Rs 235 crore. The total cost of the project including the launch is about Rs 450 crore.

The GSAT-9 is a Geostationary Communication Satellite. Data from it will be shared with the other five countries. It will help to meet the growing telecommunications and broadcasting needs of the region. The intended operational life of the satellite is more than 12 years.

ISRO has used the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage in this flight of the GSLV for the fourth time. In total, it was the eleventh flight of the GSLV.

All participating nations will have access to at least one transponder, using which they can telecast their own programming. The satellite is expected to provide communication channels between countries for better disaster management as the region is prone to natural disasters.

In short, as envisaged by Prime Minister Modi, it is a satellite sans frontiers, for the nations to grow together.