Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) toady successfully launched the South Asia Communication Satellite GSAT-9 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota at 4:57pm.
The Geostationary Communication Satellite, built by the ISRO will benefit seven out of eight member countries of SAARC. These countries are - India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives. Pakistan had opted out of the project saying it had its own space programme.
The cost of the South Asia satellite project is around 235 crore and it will provide communication and disaster support, connectivity among the countries of South Asia region for around 12 years.
The satellite GSAT-9 was launched using ISRO’s rocket GSLV-F09 with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the ISRO for successfully launching the satellite.
"I congratulate the team of scientists who worked hard for the successful launch of South Asia Satellite. We are very proud of them. The historic occasion has been made better with a surprise- we have leaders of South Asian nations joining us in celebrating this launch," he tweeted.
After coming to power in May 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked ISRO scientists to develop a SAARC satellite that can be dedicated to neighbouring countries as a “gift from India.”
On his ‘Mann ki baat’ programme on last Sunday, PM Modi had reiterated that the South Asia Satellite would be India’s “priceless gift” to its neighbouring countries.
