India’s heaviest communication satellite GSAT-10 launched successfully

GSAT-10 during physical properties measurement

Bangalore: Creating a landmark in space the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India’s heaviest satellite GSAT-10 from French Guiana in the early hours of Saturday.

Weighing 3400 at lift-off, GSAT is the heaviest Indian satellite that ISRO has built. It is being expected that GSAT-10 will improve telecommunications and direct-to-home broadcasting services in the country.

The ISRO’s 101^st mission in space is also expected to bring about a boost into the communication sector, entertainment and civil aviation as well.  

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched GSAT-10 on the European Ariane 5 rocket, as it cannot currently launch satellites of such mass on its own vehicles. The satellite and the launch fee cost the agency Rs. 750 crore.

A press release from ISRO said, after a smooth countdown lasting 11 hours and 30 minutes, the Ariane-5 launch vehicle lifted off right on schedule at the opening of the launch window at 0248 hrs IST today (September 29,2012).

But, after a flight of 30 minutes and 45 seconds, GSAT-10 was injected into an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), very close to the intended one.

ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) took over the command and control of the GSAT-10 immediately after the injection.

Preliminary health checks on the various subsystems of the satellite including power, thermal, command, sensors and controls were performed and all the parameters were found satisfactory.

After the successful completion of all in-orbit tests, GSAT-10 will be ready for operational use by November. GSAT-10 will be positioned at 83 deg East orbital location along with INSAT-4A and GSAT-12.

It carries 30 communication transponders - 12 in Ku-band, 12 in C-band and six in extended C-band.

Built for 15 years, it is 9th in ISRO's present fleet and will be co-located with InSAT-4A and GSAT-12.

Ku band is for 7 DTH TV operators and thousands of VSAT operators who provide phone and Internet broadband connections.

Public and private telephone and television providers use the C band.

GSAT-10 has a navigation payload "GAGAN" that would provide improved accuracy of GPS signals. It will be used by the Airports Authority of India for civil aviation requirements.