Ansari, Singh congratulate ISRO on successful launch of GSLV-D5

The launch of the GSLV-D5 has placed communication satellite GSAT-14 into the orbit

Vice President M. Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists for the successful launch of GSLV D5 satellite.

In a message, Ansari said that with this launch, using the indigenous cryogenic engine, India has joined a select group of countries that have mastered this sophisticated space technology.

"All credit goes to our scientists and engineers for their competence, hard work and dedication. The nation is proud of them," he added.

The Prime Minister, while congratulating the scientists, said the launch marked "another important step that the country has taken in the area of science and technology."

The ISRO on Sunday successfully launched its heavy-duty rocket GSLV-D5, placing communication satellite GSAT-14 into the orbit.

GSLV-D5, powered by indigenously developed cryogenic engine, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota at 4:18 last evening.

The 12 communication transponders onboard GSAT-14 will further augment the capacity in the INSAT/GSAT system. It would help in providing many satellite-based communication services to the country, including tele-education and telemedicine.