Launch News A Gift to South Asia-ISRO Successfully Launched GSAT-9 (5/5/17, 11:27 UTC)

[Nicholas Kang]

A nice shot of the under-construction Second Vehicle Assembly Building (SVAB).

For more pictures, please visit the ISRO gallery.

Launch video and pictures:

Mission Facts:

The launch of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) carrying GSAT-9, is scheduled on Friday, May 05, 2017.

GSLV-F09 mission is the eleventh flight of GSLV and its fourth consecutive flight with the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS).

GSAT-9 is a Geostationary Communication Satellite with the objective to provide various communication applications in Ku-band with coverage over South Asian countries. GSAT-9 is configured around the ISRO’s standard I-2K bus, with lift off mass of 2230 kg. The main structure of the satellite is cuboid in shape built around a central cylinder with a mission life of more than 12 years.

GSLV-F09 will be launched from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota.

The satellite will carry 12 Ku-Band transponders. Other countries in South Asia can use it but they will only pay for the ground control support. India will bear the rest of the cost.

Tweets from the President:

[ame="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/860460721225596928"]Narendra Modi on Twitter: "I congratulate the team of scientists who worked hard for the successful launch of South Asia Satellite. We are very proud of them. @isro"[/ame]

[ame="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/860461675241127936"]Narendra Modi on Twitter: "We are a united family of South Asian countries, united in our pursuit of peace, progress & prosperity of our region & the entire humankind."[/ame]

What other countries' leader say about this:

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani:

[ame="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/860468352262615040"]ANI on Twitter: "The gap between talk&action is bridged today,the imperative of regional cooperation is changed to the reality: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani https://t.co/n7Cyun2y8a"[/ame]

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: “I congratulate government of India. Hope this will open a new horizon of cooperation in the region.”

Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay: “The launch of this satellite will boost regional cooperation & bring about common progress of our region.”

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen:

[ame="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/860473253202018304"]ANI on Twitter: "Sincerely hope that we'll be able to aside differences&work together as org that can fulfill hopes. Sabka saath, sabka vikas: Maldives Pres https://t.co/9ykFSE4KWE"[/ame]

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena: "Congratulate on launch, it signifies intent to build cordial relations&vision for cooperation with SAARC countries”

Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal: "This will be helpful to provide communication services in mountain &hilly regions of Nepal"

Congrats, ISRO! :thumbup: