..:: India Strategic ::. Space: India to launch SAARC Satellite

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Editorial

India to launch SAARC Satellite
-Total cost estimated to be about Rs 235 crore

Published: July 2015

New Delhi. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to provide space based systems for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member nations. It is proposed to build a satellite for SAARC region with 12 Ku-band transponders and launch using Indian Geostationary Launch Vehicle GSLV Mk-II.

A one-day conference on “Satellite for SAARC Region and Space Technology Applications” was organised by India in New Delhi on June 22, 2015 to appraise and discuss the proposal. Delegations from all the SAARC member nations participated in the conference. The response of all the SAARC nations to the proposal was encouraging. Pakistan while welcoming the initiative raised some queries on technical and operational aspects. Pakistan desired further discussions before giving its consent.

The total cost of launching the Satellite is estimated to be about Rs 235 crore. The cost associated with the launch will be met by Government of India.

The proposed Satellite enables full range of applications and services to India’s neighbours in the areas of telecommunication and broadcasting applications viz. Television, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), Tele-education, Telemedicine and Disaster Management Support.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in reply to unstarred question in Rajya Sabha on July 23.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his inaugural November 26, 2014 SAARC speech in Nepal had pledged a Satellite for the use of all SAARC countries, stating, “India's gift of a Satellite for the SAARC region will benefit us all in areas like education, telemedicine, disaster response, resource management, weather forecasting and communication. We will also host a conference in India for all South Asian partners next year, to strengthen our collective ability to apply space technology in economic development and governance.”

The Satellite is planned to be launched next year by SAARC Day i.e. December 8, 2016.