India launches new communication satellite GSAT-7

Agency says launch put its 39th communication satellite into orbit

India has successfully launched a new communication satellite from the Satish Dhawan space center on the eastern island of Sriharikota. It was the country's seventh launch this year.

After a rocket launched from India’s spaceport, the satellite was deployed 19 minutes into flight.

In the upcoming days, the Indian Space Research Organisation will guide the satellite towards its final orbit.

The crew upgraded GSAT-7A, which weighs nearly 5,000lbs, to include an extra engine for the second stage of the rocket.

The newly refurbished rocket was part of efforts to place the massive communications satellite into orbit for the India Air Force, which will connect all IAF assets such as drones, planes and help build a centralised network.

The agency said the launch put its 39th communication satellite into orbit and has plans to launch two more in January 2019.