Country'shigh power communication satellite — GSAT-30 was successfully launched onboardAriane 5 from French Guiana early on Friday morning. According to ISRO, theGSAT-30 is aimed at providing high-quality television, telecommunications andbroadcasting services.

The3,357-kg GSAT-30 derives its heritage from ISRO's earlier INSAT/GSAT satelliteseries, and will serve as replacement to the aging INSAT-4A spacecraft serviceswith enhanced coverage.

ISROsaid, the satellite will provide Indian mainland and islands coverage inKu-band and extended coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large numberof Asian countries and Australia.

Witha mission life of 15 years, GSAT-30 is an operational communication satellitefor DTH, television uplink and VSAT services.