FIRST ORBIT
RAISING MANOEUVRE OF METSAT COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY
ALL
ON-BOARD SYSTEMS ARE FUNCTIONING WELL
The
Liquid Apogee Motor on board the METSAT launched by the Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicle yesterday from Sriharikota was successfully
fired for 31 minutes 48 seconds at 7:05 this morning, from the
Master Control Facility at Hassan. With this first manoeuvre,
METSAT is now orbiting the Earth with a perigee (nearest point
to Earth) of 12,100 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth)
of 34,500 km.
The
inclination of the orbit has been reduced from 17.67 degree at
the time of injection, to 5 degree now. The orbital period is
at present 14 hours 10 minutes. With this manoeuvre, the intended
intermediate orbit has been precisely realised.
Few
more orbital manoeuvres will be required before the satellite
is finally placed in geostationary orbit and moved to its designated
slot at 74 degree East longitude. The operations are likely to
be completed in the next few days.
All
systems on board the satellite are functioning well.
