The South Asia Satellite was launched on Friday by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) F-09, carrying the communication and broadcasting satellite, took off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota at 4.57 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent radio address to the nation 'Mann Ki Baat' had said the South Asia Satellite is India's gift to the region, and that it will go a long way in addressing the economic and development priorities of the nations in the region.
