Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched India’s 18th operational satellite, GSAT-17 in the orbit early morning on Thursday around 2:00 am. The 3477 kg satellite was launched by a heavy duty french rocket, Ariane-5 of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana. The satellite was inducted into Indian National Satellite (INSAT)/GSAT system.
It was the 21st satellite to be launched by the Arianespace for ISRO since 1981. GSAT-17 will strengthen India’s currunt of 17 Telecommunication Satellites launcehes into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Configured around I-3K extended bus, it carries Payloads in Normal C-band, Extended C-band and S-band to provide various communication services. The designed in-orbit operational life of GSAT-17 is about 15 years.
It also carries equipment for metereological data relay and satellite based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites. GSAT-17 will be ready for operational use after the successful completion of all the in-orbit tests.
GSAT-17 is the third satellite launched by ISRO this month. the other to two had been Plar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-38 and the heavyweight Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark III. Both were launched from Sriharikota Spaceport.
“GSAT-17 is designed to provide continuity of services on operational satellites in C-band, Extended C-band and S-bands. GSAT-17 was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by Ariane-5 VA-238 launch vehicle. After its injection into GTO, ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan takes control of GSAT-17 and performs the initial orbit raising maneuvers using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in circular Geostationary Orbit.” ISRO said.
GSAT-17 successfully launched by Ariane-5 VA-238 from Kourou, French Guianahttps://t.co/yOrCnpjgON pic.twitter.com/uloiIWJjwj
— ISRO (@isro) June 29, 2017
