Scripting yet another success in its space programme, India today launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-12 onboard indigenous PSLV-C17 rocket in a flawless mission from the spaceport here.

PSLV-C17, using the most powerful configuration of ISRO's workhorse launch vehicle, blasted off at 4.48 pm from the the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and zoomed into overcast skies before hurling GSAT-12 into space about 20 minutes later.

GSAT-12 would augment the availability of transponders for various communication services including tele-medicine and tele-education.

With today's GSAT-12, India will have 175 transponders, but it would still be way behind the target of 500 by 2012 set by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to meet the booming demand in telecom, direct-to-home and V-SAT operations.

"I am extremely happy to state that the PSVL-C17/GSAT12 mission is successful. The launch vehicle injected the satellite very precisely into the intended orbit," a jubilant ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan announced amid applause by the scientists at the mission control centre.

ISRO officials said all the parameters of the GSAT-12 were healthy.

Radhakrishnan said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has extended his warm congratulations to the ISRO team on the successful launch.

He said in the coming months ISRO would undertake a series of PSLV missions for launching several satellites.

GSAT-12 would cater to tele-medicine and tele-education services and 'more importantly' provide support for disaster management, the ISRO chief said.

For ISRO, this is the third successful mission this year after GSAT-8 which was put into orbit by Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou in French Guyana in South America on May 21 and Resourcesat-2 onboard PSLV C-16 from here on April 25.


Keywords: space programme, latest communication satellite ,GSAT-12 ,PSLV-C17 rocket,ISRO's workhorse launch vehicle, telecom, direct-to-home , V-SAT operations,ISRO officials ,Ariane-5 rocket