Countdown for launch of GSAT 10 begins
The launch is scheduled for 2.48 am (IST) on Sept 29 aboard the heavy lift launch vehicle Ariane ECA of European space agency Arianespace
The 11.5 hour countdown for the launch of the communication satellite GSAT-10 from Kourou in French Guiana in South America has just begun. This is unlike the launch by Isro when it does a 51-hour countdown.
The launch of the GSAT-10 is scheduled for 2.48 am (IST) on September 29 aboard the heavy lift launch vehicle Ariane ECA of European space agency Arianespace.
GSAT-10 satellite, which is Isro's 101st space mission, weighs 3,400 kg at the lift off. "It is the heaviest satellite that Isro has built," said Isro sources. GSAT-10 has been integrated with the Ariane-5 launch vehicle along with a 6,000-kg co-passenger communication satellite ASTRA-2F of Luxembourg-based operator SES.
About 31 minutes after lift off, GSAT-10 would be injected in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee (shortest distance from Earth) of 250 km and an apogee (farthest distance from Earth) of about 36,000 km. From there, the satellite would be moved to geostationary orbit (circular 36,000 km above the equator) using the satellite propulsion system in a three step approach.
After this, the solar panels and antennas would be deployed. In the next few weeks, the payload would be turned on to perform a series of in-orbit tests. The satellite is expected to be operational by November 2012. GSAT-10 satellite will be positioned at 83 deg East orbital location along with INSAT-4A and GSAT-12. "The nominal operational life of GSAT-10 is expected to be 15 years," added the Isro sources.
GSAT-10 satellite, carrying 30 communication transponders (12 Ku-band, 12 C-band and six Extended C-Band) would provide vital augmentation to Insat/GSAT transponder capacity. Also, it has a navigation payload 'GAGAN' that would provide improved accuracy of GPS signals (of better than seven metres) to be used by the Airports Authority of India for Civil Aviation requirements. This is the second satellite in the Insat/GSAT constellation with GAGAN payload after GSAT-8, launched in May 2011.
GSAT-10 will be the 15th ISRO satellite to have chosen the European launcher. Since the launch of the Apple experimental satellite on Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace has orbited 14 Indian satellites.
Ariane 5 is the only commercial satellite launcher now on the market capable of simultaneously launching two payloads and handling a complete range of missions, from launches of commercial satellites into geostationary orbit, to dedicated launches into special orbits.