DELHI, May 5: GSAT-9, considered as a ‘gift’ to its South Asian neighbours, is all set to ride piggyback on the ISRO rocket GSLV-F09 with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage.
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) carrying the GSAT-9 or the “South Asia” satellite took off at 4:57 pm on Friday.
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Built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the rocket blasted off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota, about 135 km from here.
The satellite, costing around Rs 235 crore, is meant for providing communication and disaster support, connectivity among the countries of South Asia region. Its mission life will span 12 years.
This is India’s eleventh GSLV launch and its fourth consecutive flight using an indigenous Cryogenic engine powering the upper stage.
