All set to launch South Asia Satellite Friday

All heads of government of South Asian countries, except Pakistan, will be connected via videoconferencing on Friday to launch the first South Asia Satellite -- a plan mooted by India three years ago.

Nurul Islam Hasibbdnews24.com
Published : 4 May 2017, 04:47 PM
Updated : 4 May 2017, 06:30 PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced such a satellite during the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in 2014 calling it a “gift to India’s neighbours.”

Pakistan that thwarted South Asia connectivity and energy cooperation deals during that summit decided to opt out stating "it has its own space programme."

The Geostationary Communication Satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will blast off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at around 6pm, officials say.

According to Isro, the satellite costs around Rs 2.35 billion and will be launched on board the space agency's rocket GSLV-F09.

It would serve the neighbouring countries through 12 Ku band transponders carried by it and has a mission life of 12 years, and meant for providing communication and disaster support, connectivity among the countries of South Asia region.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood and Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla shake hands after signing the agreement on South Asia Satellite on Mar 23, 2017.

The satellite will also provide a secured hotline connection among Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Modi during her visit on Apr 8 in a joint statement noted with “satisfaction” that South Asian countries had participated in the satellite project, which offers application of space technology for development of the region, including disaster management.

Modi thanked Hasina for participating in the project and offered support and cooperation for the satellite programme of Bangladesh.

They also agreed to pursue cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space jointly, for which an MoU was signed by Isro and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.