South Asian Satellite launched

Desk Report: The much-awaited South Asia Communication Satellite GSAT-9 was launched successfully on Friday evening.

The satellite started its journey from the Sriharikota launch centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The top leaders of the seven South Asian nations joined a videoconferencing from their respective countries.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence.

The satellite would serve the neighbouring countries through 12 Ku band transponders carried by it and has a mission life of 12 years.

The satellite is meant for providing communication and disaster support, connectivity among the countries of South Asia region.

First announced by the Indian Prime Minister in July 2014 as a gift to India's neighbours and a positive diplomatic gesture, it was then conceived as SAARC satellite. After Pakistan declined to participate, it includes the rest of South Asian neighbours: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, The Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The satellite will help the countries communicate better during disasters and could help establish a hotline between them. It will also help in telemedicine and education.


risingbd/Dhaka/May, 5, 2017/Rafiq/Nasim