India today successfully launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-6, having an indigenous cryogenic engine, onboard the GSLV-D6 rocket from the spaceport here.
The feat is the second one for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists in using the indigenously made cryogenic stage after the January 5, 2014 launch of GSLV-D5.
The earlier one had propelled India into an elite group of countries boasting of the homegrown complex cryogenic engine and stage after twin failures in 2010.
Describing the successful launch as a “Onam gift”, Mission Director R Umamaheswaran said the ‘naughty boy’ (cryogenic stage) has now been transformed into the ‘most adored boy of the ISRO’
“ISRO has offered an Onam gift... a reliable launch vehicle with our own Made in India cryogenic stage... which can launch 2-2.5 tonne class satellites,” he said.
“We have demonstrated what happened in January 2014 was no fluke, it was a result of tremendous effort put in by the entire team for the indigenous cryogenic stage... various intricacies of cryogenic have been understood,” a jubilant ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said.
In a precise text book launch, GSLV-D6 carrying the 2117 kg GSAT-6 lifted off at 4.52 pm from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here and placed the satellite in orbit, after about 17 minutes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the ISRO team, terming the launch as a “phenomenal accomplishment“.
“Another day & another phenomenal accomplishment by our scientists. Congratulations @isro for the successful launch of GSAT-6” he tweeted.