Chennai, May 3 (IANS): The countdown for the launch of May 5 evening launch of South Asia Satellite or GSAT-9 by India will begin on Thursday morning, said sources in the Indian space agency.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also getting ready for the maiden launch of its heaviest GSLV rocket by this month-end.
India will launch communication satellite GSAT-9 or South Asia Satellite using its heavy rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) on May 5, the ISRO had said earlier.
The GSAT-9 communication satellite is being launched with an objective to provide different communication applications in Ku-band with coverage over South Asian countries, it had said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 30 said the ‘South Asia Satellite’ to be launched by India on May 5, will go a long way in addressing the region’s economic and developmental priorities.
“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. I welcome all the South Asian countries who have joined us on the South Asia Satellite in this momentous endeavour,” he had said.
ISRO said that the GSAT-9 is configured around the ISRO’s standard I-2K bus, with lift off mass of 2,230 kg, and the satellite’s main structure of the satellite is cuboid in shape built around a central cylinder with a mission life of more than 12 years.
The GSLV rocket will fly with indigenous cryogenic engine and would blast off from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, the ISRO added. According to an official, ISRO on experimental basis has decided to have electric power for the satellite.
