Countdown starts for GSAT-5P launch

Chennai, Dec 24 (PTI) The count down has started for the
launch of India's latest communication satellite GSAT-5P on
board GSLV-F06 launch vehicle from Sriharikota, in south
Indian state Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday.
ISRO spokesperson S Satish told PTI that the 30-hour
count down started at 10.04 hours on Friday morning and was
progressing well.
The launch of the satellite, which was originally
scheduled for December 20, had been postponed after a leak in
the Russian cryogenic engine on board the launch vehicle.
GSAT-5P with 24 C-band transponders and 12 extended
C-band transponders is meant for augmenting communication
services currently provided by Indian National Satellite
System (INSAT). It is meant to boost TV, telemedicine and
tele-education, and telephone services.
The satellite, developed by ISRO Satellite Centre,
Bangalore, is the fifth in the GSAT series. It has a designed
mission life of 12 years. PTI