India's communication satellite GSAT-17 successfully launched

India's latest communication satellite GSAT-17 has been successfully launched from Kourou in French Guiana this morning. GSAT-17 with a lift-off mass of about 3,477 kg carries payloads in Normal C-band, Extended C-band and S-band to provide various communication services. 

The Satellite also carries equipment for meteorological data relay and satellite based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites.

The European launcher Arianespace Flight VA238 blasted off from Ariane Launch Complex No 3 (ELA 3) at Kourou, a French territory located



in northeastern coast of South America, couple of minutes delayed than the scheduled time of 2:29 hrs India time.

This was third satellite launch by ISRO this month, the other two being first developmental flight of GSLV MkIII and PSLV C-38 missions launched from Sriharikota spaceport.Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Dr K Sivan described the launch as a "text book mission". He said that launch of GSAT 17 will provide the continuity in services of ageing two satellites and widen the country's horizon to mobile satellite services as well as to Antarctica areas.