India's latest communication satellite GSAT-31 successfully launched; ATM networks, DTH services to get boost

India's latest communication satellite GSAT-31 was successfully put into orbit in the early hours of Wednesday by an European rocket from French Guiana, in a mission that is expected to enhance connectivity for ATMs and provide for uninterrupted DTH services.

Blasting off from Ariane Launch Complex at Kourou, a French territory located in northeastern coast of South America at at 2.31 am (IST), the Ariane-5 vehicle of the European launch services provider Arianespace injected the "high power" satellite into the orbit in a flawless flight that lasted about 42 minutes.

With a mission life of 15 years and weighing about 2,536 kg, GSAT-31 is the country's 40th communication satellite to be built by the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) and will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites.

"It gives me great pleasure on the successful launch of GSAT-31 spacecraft on board Ariane-5," ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) Director S Pandian said at Kourou soon after the launch.

"Congratulation to Arianespace on the successful launch and precise injection of satellite into the orbit," he added.

The GSAT-31 is a "high power" communication satellite with Ku-band, and it is going to serve and replace some of the satellites that are going to expire soon, he said.

Arianespace CEO Stphane Isral tweeted: "2019 is off to a roaring start for #Arianespace! Flight #VA247, carrying Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 and GSAT-31, is a confirmed success that underscores our leadership position in the geostationary launch market. @KACST #HellasSat @ISRO @LockheedMartin."