India will launch South Asia
communication satellite, built for use by countries of the South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation, on Friday, state-owned Indian Space
Research Organisation has said.
ISRO,
which built GSAT-9, South Asia communication satellite, said that preparations
for the launch were going on smoothly.
The
organisation said the satellite would take-off from the southern spaceport of
Sriharikota on Friday afternoon.
“We
will have the launch tomorrow (Friday) at 4.57 p.m. All activities are going on
smoothly,” ISRO chief A.S. Kiran Kumar told the media.
Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the date of the launch in his monthly
radio programme, Mann ki baat (talk from the heart), on Sunday.
He
said that India would launch the South Asia satellite on May 5.
“The
benefits of this satellite will go a long way in meeting the developmental
needs of the countries participating in this project.
“It
includes mapping of natural resources, tele-medicine, education, deeper IT
connectivity or fostering people-to-people contact.
“The
satellite will enhance the progress of the entire region.
“It
is an important step by India to enhance cooperation with the entire South
Asia; it is an invaluable gift.
“This
is an appropriate example of our commitment towards South Asia,’’ Modi said.
The
2,230-kg satellite has 12 Ku-band transponders.
It is
cuboid in shape and built around a central cylinder.
The
satellite has a mission life of over 12 years.
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