new delhi: Indian Space Agency ISRO will launch the GSAT-9, South Asia Communications satellite at 4:57 PM on Friday evening. This will be launched from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Center. The launch of this satellite, that is, the launch of the satellite will lead to the contact between South Asian countries. Also, China’s influence in South Asia region can be reduced.
This geostationary satellite has been created by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It will be launched from here. GSAT-9 is being considered as a gift from India for its South Asian neighboring countries. This satellite will be launched from ISRO’s Rocket GSLV F-09. ISRO president Kiran Kumar said that the launch will be on Friday at 4:30 pm on Friday.
Seven of the eight SAARC countries, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives are part of this project. Pakistan decided to stay out of it saying that it has its own space program. The cost of this satellite is about Rs 235 crores and its purpose is to provide communication and disaster cooperation to the countries of South Asia region.
12 years is Lifetime of GSAT-9
GSAT will be launched from the second launching pad of Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, about 135 km from Chennai. ISRO said that the 28-hour countdown to the operation of the GSAT-9 mission began on Thursday afternoon at 12:57. Its mission is Lifetime of 12 years.
PM Modi’s Space Diplomacy
After coming to power in May 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked ISRO scientists to make SAARC Satellite, which would be gifts from neighboring countries. Also, China’s influence will be reduced in the region. On Sunday, Modi had announced in a talk about the program that South Asia satellite will be a precious gift from India to its neighboring countries. Modi had said, “India will launch South Asia satellite on May 5. The benefits of this satellite will go a long way in fulfilling the developmental needs of the participating countries.
