‘South Asia’ satellite launched successfully
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-F09 (GSLV-F09) on Friday successfully launched India’s gift to South Asia – the Geostationary communication satellite-9 (Gsat-9)+ – into a Geostationary orbit, also making the it the first Indian satellite to use an electric propulsion.
The launch took place from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota and the achieved orbit is very close to the intended one. This was only the second operational flight of the GSLV- which had earned the dubious nickname ‘Naughty Boy’ for its poor track record- with Cryogenic Upper Stage(CUS).
The Gsat-9, which will have a footprint that extends all over South Asia, marks India’s first ‘space diplomacy’ endeavour allowing six neighbouring countries to use the benefits of the satellite without having to spend anything on the project. India has incurred the entire cost – estimated to be Rs 450 crore (including launch costs and other variables), of which just the satellite cost is Rs 235 crore. India will now have a secure hotline with the six nations that can be used during disaster management and other emergencies.
The 12 transponders in the Ku band that the satellite has put into space will provide an array of applications and services-television, Direct-to-Home (DTH), tele-education, telemedicine, Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and disaster management support-to India’s neighbours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, just weeks after he took the office in 2014, had announced this major project that was initially conceived as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) satellite. He had said that this was India’s priceless gift to her neighbours.
However, Pakistan, whose proposal to invest and be part of the project from the planning stage was turned down by India as it was PM Modi’s brainchild, opted out of the project citing security concerns.
The project was thus renamed as South Asia Satellite and will now benefit seven of the eight Saarc countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – including India.
The 2,230kg satellite allows partnering nations to utilise a host of services, including exchange of data of all kinds, like library information and meteorological findings.
“Through this satellite, what India’s is offering is not just its technological prowess but also a shared future,” an MEA official said. “…The underlying philosophy of PM Modi’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” is to share the fruits of development for a shared future. We (MEA and PMO) have been working closely with out neighbours and this will bring us closer,” the official said.
Successful launch of South Asian Satellite is a historic moment. It opens up new horizons of engagement.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 5, 2017
This will also greatly benefit South Asia & our region’s progress.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 5, 2017
I congratulate the team of scientists who worked hard for the successful launch of South Asia Satellite. We are very proud of them. @isro
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 5, 2017
The historic occasion has been made better with a surprise- we have leaders of South Asian nations joining us in celebrating this launch.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 5, 2017