The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on the successful launch of India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-18.
In a message to Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of ISRO, the President has said, "My heartiest congratulations to you and the entire team at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-18 being successfully launched by Ariane 5 VA-231 launch vehicle from Kourou.
I understand that GSAT-18 carries 48 communication transponders in C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-band. It will provide telecommunications services for the country by strengthening ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational telecommunication satellites.
Kindly convey my greetings to the members of your team of scientists, engineers, technologists and all others associated with this mission. I wish the ISRO continued success in the coming years”.
This release issued at 1650 hrs.