India’s GSAT-8 communications satellite, to help boost the nations direct to home (DTH) TV services, has been successfully launched by Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana.

The Indian-built satellite was propelled into space on 21 May by an Ariane 5 rocket which lifted off at 02.08am Indian Standard Time.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the Department of Space for the successful launch of the communication satellite. According to the Press Trust of India, Singh rang up Space Secretary K Radhakrishnan at the launch site and conveyed his greetings.

The satellite, constructed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), carries 24 transponders to augment India’s Ku-band relay capabilities - primarily for DTH broadcast services - with a footprint encompassing the entire Indian subcontinent.

The project was reported to cost INR 600 crore – with the satellite accounting for INR 250 crore, its launch for INR 300 crore, and insurance amounting to about 30 crore. GSAT 8 has a design life of over 12 years.

The space agency said checks had revealed the satellite was healthy post launch.

"I am extremely happy to announce that ISRO’s master control facility at Hassan near Bangalore has confirmed the reception of signals from GSAT-8 and taken charge of the command and control of GSAT-8 immediately after its injection into the geo-stationary transfer orbit," said Mr Radhakrishnan, Indian Space Secretary and ISRO chairman.

"This is another great moment for us," he added.

In addition to providing additional DTH broadcast capacity, GSAT-8 will also provide a two-channel GAGAN system for aircraft navigation assistance over Indian airspace and adjoining areas.