External ground delays holding up GSAT-9 benefits:

External ground delays holding up GSAT-9 benefits:

Context:

• Nearly five months after the South Asia Satellite GSAT-9 was launched, the Indian Space Research Organisation has initiated the processes to set up ground stations for the partners to receiver/send satellite communication.

What is South Asia Satellite GSAT-9?

• South Asia Satellite GSAT-9 was launched on May 05th, 2017.
• South Asia Satellite GSAT-9 is a Geostationary Communication satellite realized by India.
• Objective: The primary objective of GSAT-9 is to provide various communication applications in Ku-band with coverage over South Asian countries.
• Utility: The two solar arrays of GSAT-9 consisting of Ultra Triple Junction solar cells generate about 3500 Watts of electrical power.
• Sun and Earth sensors as well as gyroscopes provide orientation reference for the satellite.

What are the benefits of Space Diplomacy in India?

• South Asia satellite boosts the regional co-operation among the member countries.
• It reinforces the Indian policy of “Neighbourhood First“.
• It opens new paths of engagement between India and member countries thus deepening the economic ties.
• Countries involved (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka)  will build relations in economy, trade and other purposes.

What is Indian Space Research Organization?

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969.
• It is the space agency of the Government of India.
• Objective: The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks.
• Vision: Its vision is to “harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration.

What are ISRO’s global outreaches?

• ISRO has had international co-operation since inception. Some instances are listed below:
• Establishment of Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), conduct of SITE & STEP, launches of Aryabhata, Bhaskara APPLE, IRS-IA and IRS-IB/ satellites, manned space mission, etc. involved international co-operation.
• PSLV, the indigenous workhorse launch vehicle of India, has not only launched Indian satellites, but 57 satellites from 20 countries as well.
• India has established a Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) that is sponsored by the United Nations.
• ISRO has enabled video transmission uplinked from India.
• Once the countries start using their part of satellite fully, it could open or spur activities for poor and unconnected areas for tele-education and tele-medicine or consultations with doctors.