Yet another satellite to be launched by India on May 5

The Dollar Business Bureau

Come Friday, and India will launch a Satellite from the Sriharikota base. The South Asian Satellite is intended to be used for the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It will be launched on 5th May, the Prime Minister informed listeners during his Mann ki Baat Radio address on Sunday and the facilities it would offer to the region.

Modi referred to the satellite as one in line with the inclusive development-spirit of the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ concept. He was quoted in the official PMO website as saying, “It (Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas) is not limited to the confines of India. It applies to the global context too. And very specially to our neighbouring countries. May our neighbouring countries be with us in our journey, (and) may they develop equally.”

The 49.13 m tall GSLV-F09 satellite would offer facilities such as mapping of natural resources, and also in sectors such as telemedicine, education, IT connectivity, and providing a boon to the progress of the entire region. Each country is expected to get access to at least one transponder through which they could beam their individual programming and there is potential for a common South Asian programming as well, according to media reports.

Codenamed GSLV-F09, the 2230 kg satellite’s mission is the eleventh flight of this GSLV and the fourth consecutive flight with an indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) engine. The satellite will be launched from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.

“It is an important step by India to enhance co-operation with entire South Asia… it is an invaluable gift. This is an appropriate example of our commitment towards South Asia. I welcome all the South Asian countries who have joined us on the South Asia Satellite in this momentous endeavour…. My best wishes to them,” shared the Prime Minister.

The Satellite program, costing Rs. 235 cr, was announced during the 2014 SAARC summit in Nepal. Pakistan had reportedly denied the ‘Indian gift’, refusing to join in the developmental program. Dr. Jitendra Singh, the head of the Atomic energy and space ministry had suggested during a parliament session that the Indian government under the ministry would bear the costs.

Sources from ISRO confirmed the news suggesting that the satellite would be a GSAT-9, a Geostationary Communication Satellite. The Satellite provides various communication applications in Ku-band with coverage over South Asian countries. The cuboid-structured satellite is built around a central cylinder with a mission life of over 12 years, and offers 12 Ku-band transponders.