India’s high power communication satellite GSAT-30 launched successfully Friday from a French territory in South America, said Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

The satellite GSAT-30 would provide high-quality telecommunications, television and broadcasting services. It was injected by European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 vehicle.

The 3,357-kg communication satellite went off from the Ariane Launch Complex in Kourou in northeastern coast of South America.

Upon the launching at 2.35 am IST Isro tweeted, “#GSAT-30 successfully separated from the upper stage of #Ariane5 #VA251.”

Arianespace CEO Stphane Isral wrote on Twitter, “A strong start to 2020 as #Ariane5 successfully deploys its two satellite passengers EUTELSAT KONNECT and GSAT-30 into geostationary transfer orbit! I appreciate the trust from the two customers on this mission: @Eutelsat_SA and @ISRO #VA251 #MissiontoSuccess.”

Isro’s U R Rao Satellite Centre Director P Kunhikrishnan called the launching as an excellent start to 2020 to the Indian space organization.

Kunhikrishnan said, “The mission team at the master control facility have already acquired the satellite and they will immediately complete the post launch operations…”

The GSAT-30 is equipped with 12 C and 12 Ku band transponders. Its mission life is 15 years.