Rs 235 cr: India bears the entire cost for launching South Asia Satellite

In 2014, Modi asked ISRO to develop a satellite which can be dedicated as a 'gift' to neighbours

The countdown, which started on Thursday, for the launch of South Asia Satellite or GSAT-9, is going on smoothly. The rocket is all set to blast off from Sriharikotta space station on Friday.

The count down started at 12:57 hours on May 4, 2017. The rocket is expected to take off today at 16:57 hours.

This is one of the very few launches for which media was not invited and Isro officials are also tight lipped. Government-owned Doordarshan, which used to telecast launches live, is not likely to do so this time. Isro, which used to update about countdown and