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

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
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