With GSAT-6A launch, India's both controversial satellites up in orbit

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Sriharikota: GSAT-6A satellite ascends into the sky from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on March 29, 2018. The purpose of the satellite is to provide mobile communication applications in S-band in five spot beams and C-band in one beam during its 10-year life span. (Photo: IANS)
Sriharikota: GSAT-6A satellite ascends into the sky from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on March 29, 2018. The purpose of the satellite is to provide mobile communication applications in S-band in five spot beams and C-band in one beam during its 10-year life span. (Photo: IANS)
By Venkatachari Jagannathan
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), March 29 (IANS) India's latest communication satellite GSAT-6A, successfully placed in orbit on Thursday, was once embroiled in controversy like its predecessor GSAT-6, launched in 2015.


The two satellites, weighing two tonnes, became a subject of controversy, as 90 per cent of their transponders were to be leased to Devas Multimedia Ltd by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) commercial arm Antrix Corporation under a deal, which was annulled in February 2011 on the ground that the country's defence needs had to be met first.

Under the controversial deal, the Bengaluru-based Devas was to use the transponders of GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A in the crucial S-Band wavelength - primarily kept for the country's strategic interests - for its digital multimedia service for 12 years.

Antrix had signed the $300 million contract with Devas in January 2005 and obtained sanction of the Space Commission and the Union Cabinet for the two satellites (GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A) without informing the government that the bulk capacity (90 per cent) would be leased to the multimedia service provider.

When the controversy broke in December 2009, the state-run ISRO ordered a review of the deal and subsequently the Space Commission had recommended its annulment on July 2, 2010. Antrix terminated the deal on February 25, 2011.

Subsequently, GSAT-6 was launched in 2015.

However, the controversy and the legal fight is continuing on the ground between the parties.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

--IANS
vj/him/vd

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