The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its high power S-band communication satellite GSAT-6A using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08) on Thursday.

The launch took place at 4:56 pm from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The communication satellite was placed into the orbit roughly around 17 minutes after the rocket lifts off.

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation, the real-time systems check operations have been completed.

This happens to be GSLV's 12th flight and sixth flight with the indigenous Cryogenic upper stage.

GSLV-F08, weighing 415.6 tonnes with a height of 49.1 metre comes with notable improvements like induction of High Thrust Vikas Engine, electromechanical actuation system in place of electro-hydraulic actuation system.

The mission life of the spacecraft planned is about 10 years. The satellite will provide a platform for developing technologies such as demonstration of 6m S-Band Unfurlable Antenna, handheld ground terminals and network management techniques. These are useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications.

Apart from the communication needs, the satellite would also provide services to the Indian Armed Forces.

 “This GSLV is not like any other vehicle. The importance of this mission is that we have enhanced the performance of the vehicle with an improved high thrust Vikas engine that has increased thrust by 6% thereby enhancing payload capability by 50%,” Times of India quoted the ISRO chairman as saying.

He added, “ISRO has high profile launches with 10 missions planned for the next nine months. They include space science, communication, navigation, high-resolution remote sensing and high bandwidth for communication. The highlight will be Chandrayaan-2.”