India's most powerful satellite, ‘The Big Bird', launched successfully

The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO's GSAT-11 satellite also called the "Big Bird " was successfully launched into space on Wednesday from the French space port of Kourou in South America.

News Deskbdnews24.com
Published : 5 Dec 2018, 05:52 AM
Updated : 5 Dec 2018, 05:52 AM

The satellite, launched at 2.07 am (IST), will help provide satellite-based internet to remote places where cable-based internet cannot reach. The satellite, weighing 5,854 kg, is the heaviest Indian-made equipment that the agency put into its orbit, reports NDTV news.

This launch was the second attempt after ISRO's first bid failed in May earlier this year and was placed into space on its 102 nd flight, the Ariane 5 rocket. According to ISRO, the satellite is healthy after the launch.

"GSAT-11 is the next generation high throughput communication satellite that will play a vital role in providing broadband services across the country. It will also provide a platform to demonstrate new generation applications," Dr K Sivan, ISRO chief said.

The "Big Bird" has cost about Rs 600 crore. The ariane-5 heavyweight rocket was hired from Arianespace by ISRO. The satellite is expected to have a life span of 15 years, according to the reports.

The satellite internet, which the GSAT-11 will help to provide, will aid in giving internet connectivity in flights in India.