GSLV mission success, GSAT-6A communication satellite put in orbit

Scripting yet another success, ISRO today place into orbit its latest communication satellite GSAT-6A launched on board its geosynchronous rocket GSLV-F08 from the spaceport here.

At the end of the 27-hour countdown, the 49.1-metre Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08), fitted with indigenously developed cryogenic third stage, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here at 4.56 pm and soared majestically into the clear sky.

The satellite, with a mission life of about 10 years, would provide thrust to mobile communication through multi-beam coverage facility, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

In a text-book launch, about 18 minutes later, the rocket injected GSAT-6A into the geostationary transfer orbit as the ISRO scientists broke into celebrations at the mission control centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on the successful launch of the GSAT-6A communication satellite.

"Congratulations to ISRO and other stakeholders on the successful launch of GSLV-F08 with indigenous cryogenic stage," he tweeted.

ISRO chief K Sivan said the fifth successive successful launch of the GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stage successfully placed the high power S-band communication satellite in the "designated orbit precisely."
P Kunhikrishnan, Director, SHAR, described today's launch as a "magnificent mission."