India’s GSAT-10 satellite launch set for 29 September
24 Sep 2012
India will launch its communication satellite GSAT-10 from the Kourou launch base in French Guyana on 29 September 29, using the European launch vehicle Arine-5.
GSAT-10, weighing 3,400 kg at the lift off, is the heaviest that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has built so far.
GSAT-10 has been integrated with the Ariane-5 launch vehicle along with co-passenger communication satellite ASTRA-2F and is awaiting the launch scheduled at 0248 hrs (2012 IST) on 29 September 2012, an ISRO release said.
GSAT-10 would be injected in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a perigee of 250 km and an apogee of about 36,000 km about 31 minutes after lift-off. From there, the satellite would be moved to geostationary orbit (circular 36,000 km above equator) by 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 extensive in-orbit tests. The satellite is expected to be operational by November 2012, ISRO said.
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.
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