GSAT-14 deployed successfully: Isro

Says the satellite is in the three axes stabilsed mode

The India Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Friday said the Orbit raising operation of GSAT-14 was a success, and both the reflectors of the satellite have been deployed. Isro said the satellite is in the three axes stabilsed mode.

The development comes after Isro successfully conducted the third Orbit Raising Maneuver on GSAT-14. Isro's Master Control Facility, Hassan, Bangalore, conducted the Manoeuvre on Thursday.

The three orbit raising operations were conducted for the communication satellite GSAT-14, which was launched successfully through GSLV-D5 rocket, which used India's first indigenous cryogenic engine.

On December 5, Isro successfully launched it’s heavy-duty rocket — the Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The GSLV5, carrying communication satellite GSAT-14 was launched from Isro’s spaceport at Sriharikota, about 80 kms from Chennai.

With the successful launch, India joined the “Cryo Club”, a select club of spacefaring nations having the crucial cryogenic engine technology, which is necessary to carry heavy satellites into space. The other countries  in the elite club include United States, Russia, France, Japan and China.

After a flight of 17 minutes 5 seconds, GSAT-14 satellite was precisely injected into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 175 km and an Apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 35,945 km with an orbital inclination of 19.3 degree with respect to the equator.

Immediately after the injection, ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan took over the control and commanding of GSAT-14. The solar panels of the satellite were deployed as planned, and the satellite health was found normal and the satellite was oriented towards the Sun.