<p>Moving a step forward in space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is all set to launch India’s GSLV-F09 — carrying the communication satellite GSAT-9 — on Friday.<br /><br />Isro sources told DH that countdown operations of the GSLV-F09/GSAT-9 mission started at 12:57 pm on Thursday at the Sriharikota spaceport. Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar said the rocket will be launched from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. “All activities are going on smoothly,” he said.<br /><br />The mission will help provide various communication applications in the Ku-band, with coverage over South Asian countries. Accordingly, the GSAT-9, a geostationary communication satellite, is configured around Isro’s standard I-2K bus, with a lift-off mass of 2,230 kg.<br /><br />The main structure of the satellite is cuboidal and it is built around a central cylinder with a mission life of more than 12 years.<br /><br />The GSLV-F09 mission is the eleventh flight of the GSLV and the fourth consecutive flight with the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage.<br /><br />The success of the previous GSLV mission in September last year provided a much-needed boost to the future missions.</p>
<p>Moving a step forward in space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is all set to launch India’s GSLV-F09 — carrying the communication satellite GSAT-9 — on Friday.<br /><br />Isro sources told DH that countdown operations of the GSLV-F09/GSAT-9 mission started at 12:57 pm on Thursday at the Sriharikota spaceport. Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar said the rocket will be launched from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. “All activities are going on smoothly,” he said.<br /><br />The mission will help provide various communication applications in the Ku-band, with coverage over South Asian countries. Accordingly, the GSAT-9, a geostationary communication satellite, is configured around Isro’s standard I-2K bus, with a lift-off mass of 2,230 kg.<br /><br />The main structure of the satellite is cuboidal and it is built around a central cylinder with a mission life of more than 12 years.<br /><br />The GSLV-F09 mission is the eleventh flight of the GSLV and the fourth consecutive flight with the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage.<br /><br />The success of the previous GSLV mission in September last year provided a much-needed boost to the future missions.</p>
