Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists for the successful launch of communication satellite GSAT-18, saying it was another "milestone" in India's space programme.
"Congratulations to ISRO for successfully launching the communication satellite, GSAT-18. This is another milestone for our space programme," he said in a tweet.
The Indian communication satellite GSAT-18 was successfully put into orbit by Ariane 5 rocket belonging to French company Arianespace on Thursday.
The rocket lifted off from its spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana).
GSAT-18, built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims at providing telecommunications services for the country by strengthening ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational telecommunication satellites.
GSAT-18 that aims at providing telecommunications services for the country by strengthening ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational telecom satellites was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) about 32 minutes after the lift-off.
GSAT-18 is the 20th satellite from ISRO to be launched by the European space agency and the mission is the 280th for Arianespace launcher family.
ISRO, which has been dependent on Ariane-5 rocket for carrying its heavier satellites, is developing GSLV Mk III for this purpose.
Weighing 3,404 kg at lift-off, GSAT-18 carries 48 communication transponders to provide services in Normal C-band, Upper Extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum.
