India’s Space and Research Organization (ISRO) launched the first South Asia Satellite, on May 5. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said that the satellite will help partner countries in effective communication, better governance, better banking and education in remote areas, more predictable weather forecasting and efficient resource mapping. It will link people to medical services through telemedicine and facilitate quick responses to natural disasters.
ISRO’s chairman A. S. Kiran Kumar said that the satellite, with a lift-off mass of 4,839 pounds, carried 12 ku-band transponders, and had a mission life of more than 12 years.
Each of the participating countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka — will be able to use a dedicated transponder with a capacity of 36 to 54 Mhz for its own internal consumption, and will be responsible for content generation and its usage, reports the Livemint. Pakistan chose to opt out of the project and is not part of the participating countries.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
