The Indian Space Research Organisation on Thursday launched the GSAT-6A satellite into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The high-power communication satellite, which will help the research agency develop new communication technologies, took off on the GSLV-F08 rocket.

The satellite lifted off at 4.56 pm from the second launch pad of the space centre, ISRO said. It was put into orbit around 17 minutes later.

A 27-hour countdown for the launch had started at 1.56 pm on Wednesday.

The rocket weighs 415.6 tonnes, has a height of 49.1 metres, and has two improvements from previous launches – it has a high-thrust engine and an electromechanical actuation system instead an electro-hydraulic actuation system.

This is the 12th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F08.