President Pranab Mukherjee today congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the successful launch of the South Asia satellite-GSAT-09 saying 'it will help India cement its ties with neighbours'.
"The launch of the South Asia satellite which enables a range of services in the areas of telecommunication and broadcasting will go a long way in meeting the developmental needs of the countries of South Asia. I am confident that the project will promote friendship and cooperation and help further cement ties between India and her neighbours," the President said in a message to AS Kiran Kumar, the secretary of the Department of Space and ISRO chairman.
Vice President Hamid Ansari also congratulated ISRO on successful launch of the satellite.
In a message, he said that the satellite will boost connectivity and cooperation among all participating SAARC countries.
Today’s success of the launch is a great boost for South Asian regional cooperation in jointly undertaking development initiatives. The ISRO has used indigenously made Cryogenic Upper Stage in the launch vehicle GSLV F-zero nine for the fourth time today.
The satellite is going to use electric propulsion, instead of the conventional liquid propulsion for fine tuning of its orbit. It is an innovation made by ISRO in this mission. The operational life of the satellite would be 12 years. South Asia satellite is an effective outreach by India to meet the development aspirations of her friendly neighbours, cementing the ties further.
