In a historic move, the Indian Space Research Organisation on Friday launched the GSAT-9, a South Asia Communication Satellite that will boost connectivity among nations in the region. The Geostationary Communication Satellite, built by ISRO, was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
#WATCH: ISRO launches South Asia Satellite GSAT-9 from Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota. pic.twitter.com/wbANKY4yq2
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 5, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the launch of the South Asian Satellite by India as a “historic moment” and said it opens up new horizons of engagement among the countries of the region.
He congratulated the ISRO team:
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
Here is all you need to know about it:
- Initially, it was to be named as ‘SAARC Satellite’ but its name was changed to South Asia Satellite after Pakistan refused to join the project. India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan are now part of the project.
- It costs around Rs 235 crore and is meant for providing communication and disaster support, and connectivity among the countries of South Asia region. Its mission life will span 12 years.
- The satellite will provide significant capability to each of the participating countries in terms of DTH, certain VSAT capacity plus linking among the states for disaster information transfer.
(With inputs from PTI)
