Sriharikota: India on Thursday successfully put into orbit its latest communication satellite GSAT-6A after a perfect launch of its powerful geosynchronous rocket that will help in mobile communication even from very remote locations through hand-held ground terminals. Scripting yet another success for the ISRO, the 49.1 metre Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08), fitted with indigenously developed cryogenic engine at the third stage, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here at 4.56 pm and soared majestically into the clear sky at the end of the 27-hour countdown,
The satellite, with a mission life of about ten years, would provide a thrust to mobile communication through multi-beam coverage facility, the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) said. It is expected to be a shot in the arm for the armed forces. In a text-book launch, about 18 minutes later, the rocket injected the GSAT-6A into the geostationary transfer orbit as ISRO scientists broke into celebrations at the mission control centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on its successful space mission. "Congratulations to ISRO and other stakeholders on the successful launch of GSLV-F08 with indigenous cryogenic stage," he tweeted. "GSAT-6A, a communication satellite, will provide new possibilities for mobile applications. Proud of ISRO for taking the nation towards new heights and a brighter future," the PM's twitter handle said.
ISRO chief K Sivan said the fifth successive successful launch of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stage successfully placed the high power S-band communication satellite in the "designated orbit precisely."
GSAT6A was a complement to GSAT6, which was already in orbit, and these two satellites combined will provide a platform for development of advanced technologies, he said. This is the first mission for Sivan, who assumed charge of the space agency in January.