Maarg Manthan · Topic 12.16

South Asia Satellite

Science & Technology › Space Technology and ISRO · Topic 12.16

The South Asia Satellite, also known as GSAT-9, is a geostationary communication satellite built by ISRO and launched on 5 May 2017 by GSLV-F09 from Sriharikota. Weighing about 2,230 kilograms, it carries 12 Ku-band transponders and was offered by India as a gift to its neighbours, in line with the Neighbourhood First policy, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. It provides communication, disaster support, tele-medicine, tele-education and broadcasting to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, while Pakistan chose not to take part. The satellite has a planned life of 12 years and was built with a project cost of about Rs 235 crore, with additional ground costs borne by each partner.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Space Technology and ISRO

At a Glance

Launched 5 May 2017
Rocket GSLV-F09
Mass About 2,230 kg
Transponders 12 Ku-band
Policy Neighbourhood First
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Space Technology and ISRO

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the account of space debris. It returns to Indian satellite diplomacy, in which a communication satellite built for use by neighbours shows how space can support regional cooperation. Previous topic: Space Junk and Graveyard Orbits. Next topic: ISRO’s Contribution to National Development.

What Are the Key Features of the South Asia Satellite?

Feature	Details
Name	Initially called SAARC Satellite, renamed South Asia Satellite after Pakistan opted out
Launch	5 May 2017 from the Second Launch Pad, Sriharikota, by GSLV-F09 with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage
Mass and life	Lift-off mass about 2,230 kg. Mission life about 12 years
Payload	12 Ku-band transponders, giving each partner at least one dedicated transponder with a frequency of its own
Orbit	Geostationary orbit at about 48 degrees East
Cost	About Rs 235 crore for the satellite, borne by India, with ground stations paid by each partner
Partners	Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka

What Services Are Provided and What Is the Significance?

Television and DTH: broadcasting and direct to home services for partner countries
Tele-education: online classes for remote schools
Tele-medicine: connecting village clinics with city hospitals
Disaster management: hotline and communication during earthquakes, floods and cyclones
Connectivity: very small aperture terminals and secure links between governments
Space diplomacy: a public good by India for neighbours, free of cost
Pakistan’s stand: Pakistan declined to join, saying that it had its own space programme and would not join a project led by India

What Else Should You Remember?

Idea: Prime Minister Modi proposed a SAARC satellite at the 2014 SAARC summit in Kathmandu
Neighbourhood First: India’s policy of giving priority to relations with immediate neighbours
Soft power: sharing technology builds goodwill and counters other powers’ influence in the region
GSLV-F09: the flight placed the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, and the satellite used its own motor and some electric propulsion to reach its final position, as in Space Technology Innovations: Nanosatellites, Electric Propulsion, Satellite-Based Internet
Link with SAARC: the Association of South Asian Regional Cooperation has stalled, so the project was done in a bilateral form for each partner
Other Indian assistance: India has built space related infrastructure in neighbours, such as a ground station in Bhutan and joint satellites with Bhutan and Maldives
India-Bhutan satellite: INS-2B nanosatellite launched in 2022 with Bhutan, and a ground station at Thimphu
Training: ISRO trains scientists from partner countries through the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific in Dehradun
Limitations: the satellite has limited capacity, and each country needs its own ground stations and users
Evaluation: the benefit depends on partners using the transponders for useful services
Link: the GSLV that launched it is described in Launch Vehicle Technology: PSLV, GSLV and Cryogenic Engines
Ground stations: each partner needs ground terminals and trained staff, which India helped with through grants and training
Geostationary slot: the satellite works from a fixed slot over the equator, so one dish pointed at it gives steady service
Backup for crises: after earthquakes such as the one in Nepal in 2015, satellite links proved important when ground networks failed
Success measure: the real test is how many schools, clinics and disaster agencies in partner countries use the capacity
Reaching the island and hill states: satellite links serve places in Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives where laying fibre across mountains or seas is costly
Regional data sharing: weather and disaster information from Indian satellites is also shared with neighbours, in line with the same spirit

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Facts: date, rocket, bands, mass
Partners: six neighbours, not Pakistan
Policy: Neighbourhood First and space diplomacy
Current affairs link: India’s satellites for neighbours
Common errors: saying Pakistan took part or that it is a remote sensing satellite

As an analytical point, the South Asia Satellite showed how technology can be a tool of foreign policy. The value now depends on the actual services partners use and on continued trust.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Facts GSAT-9 details
Policy Neighbourhood First
Diplomacy Soft power

What Came Next?

The next topic covers ISRO’s contribution to national development. Next topic: ISRO’s Contribution to National Development.

Key People and Terms

GSAT-9 Communication satellite
Ku band 12 to 18 GHz radio band
Soft power Influence by attraction
DTH Direct to home
VSAT Small ground dish
SAARC Regional association

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Launched: 5 May 2017 on GSLV-F09.
12 Ku-band transponders.
Life: about 12 years.
Pakistan did not join.
Idea first proposed in 2014.

Do Not Confuse With

GSAT-9 and GSAT-7 Regional civil satellite versus Navy satellite
South Asia Satellite and SAARC Bilateral service versus the regional grouping
Ku band and C band Higher frequency band versus lower band

Memory Hook

Twelve Ku transponders, gift of ISRO, May of seventeen; six neighbours join, one declines.

Mains Angle

Questions ask about facts and the diplomacy. These points help.

Purpose Public good for neighbours
Services Education, health, disaster
Politics Pakistan’s stand

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss how the South Asia Satellite reflects India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the role of space diplomacy.”

How to Answer

Facts GSAT-9.
Services Tele-health, disaster.
Diplomacy Soft power.
Limits Use and Pakistan.

GS Relevance

Prelims: launch date, vehicle, member countries, bands, Pakistan's stand. GS Paper 2: India and neighbours; GS Paper 3: space applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the South Asia Satellite?

The South Asia Satellite, or GSAT-9, is a geostationary communication satellite built by ISRO and launched on 5 May 2017 by GSLV-F09. It carries 12 Ku-band transponders and was given by India to neighbouring countries for television, tele-education, tele-medicine and disaster communication, as part of the Neighbourhood First policy.

Which countries participate in the South Asia Satellite?

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka take part along with India. Pakistan chose not to participate, saying that it had its own space programme, and the project was therefore renamed from the SAARC Satellite to the South Asia Satellite.

When and by whom was the South Asia Satellite idea proposed?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a satellite for the SAARC region at the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November 2014, as a gift to neighbours. The satellite was launched on 5 May 2017, and India bore the cost of building and launching it, while partners set up ground stations.

What are the services of the South Asia Satellite?

The satellite provides television broadcasting and direct to home services, tele-education, tele-medicine, secure government links and a hotline for disaster management. Each partner country has the use of at least one transponder, and India offers training so that officials can operate the services.

Why is the South Asia Satellite called space diplomacy?

It is called space diplomacy because India used its space capability as a foreign policy tool, providing a free, useful service to neighbours and building goodwill. It shows soft power and the Neighbourhood First approach, and demonstrates ISRO's ability to design satellites that meet the needs of other countries.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The South Asia Satellite is also called GSAT-9.

True

Launched on GSLV-F09.

2 Pakistan is a partner of the South Asia Satellite.

False

It declined to participate.

3 The satellite carries 12 Ku-band transponders.