GSLV to be launched today! Here’s everything you need to know

India will be launching the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) today, which carries the GSAT-9, also called the "South Asia" satellite.


The 2230-kg satellite, which took three years to be fabricated, is purely a communications satellite, made with a cost of Rs 235 crore. With a cuboid-shaped main structure built around a central cylinder, the satellite is scheduled to take off precisely at 4.57 pm today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

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The launch would be India's display of soft power and regional influence, and a push in the direction of bigger space diplomacy.

The satellite, which was initially called the SAARC satellite, was renamed after Pakistan dropped out and Afghanistan is yet to be a part of it.

The GSAT-9 satellite means a big deal for India as well as South Asia, since India would be sharing the data with Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. All of these participating countries will have at least one transponder of the satellite each, using which they would be able to connect with each other. This will cement India’s position all over South Asia.

All participating nations anticipate a Rs 10,000 crore ($1.5 billion) benefit from the satellite, which has an estimated life span of 12 years. Also, each country has to develop its own ground infrastructure, but can benefit from India’s offer to share its technical expertise.

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Since the South Asian region is highly prone to earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and tsunamis, the satellite can provide secure hot lines that can provide critical communication links in times of such disasters.

Experts are of the view that Pakistan, which dropped out of the project saying that it has its own space programme, has missed an opportunity since its personal space programme is still in a primitive stage. Even though Islamabad launched its first rocket five years before India and its space agency Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is older than ISRO, India’s space mission is way ahead of that of Pakistan.

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With the satellite, India plans to counter China's growing influence on the neighbours in South Asia; however, China has the first mover advantage when it comes to the 21st century Asian space race.