INSAT-3E READY FOR LAUNCH
All preparations
have been made for the launch of ISRO’s latest communication satellite,
INSAT-3E, on board the 162nd flight of Ariane from
Kourou, French Guyana. The launch window for the 162nd
flight of Ariane, (Ariane-5) carrying INSAT-3E and its Co-passengers
E-bird of EUTELSAT and SMART-1 of European Space Agency, is fixed
between 04.32 am and 4.51 am Indian Standard Time on September
28, 2003.
Weighing 2775
kg at lift-off, INSAT-3E is the fourth satellite to be launched
in the INSAT-3 series. It is an exclusive communication satellite
with 24C-band and 12 Extended C-band transponders to replace INSAT-2DT
and leased transponders. It will also augment the present capacity
of INSAT for communication and TV services.
The Master Control
Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka is in full readiness to
take control of INSAT-3E as soon as it is injected into Geosynchronous
Transfer Orbit (GTO). In the following days after launch, MCF
will conduct operations like orbit raising manoeuvres to take
the satellite into the final Geosynchronous Orbit, deployment
of solar arrays and antennas and position the satellite in its
designated orbital slot of 55 degree East longitude. The MCF will
also carry out regular operations and control of the satellite
during its design life.
Live Telecast:
The launch of INSAT-3E from Kourou will be telecast live
by Doordarshan (DD-1) from 03.02 am (IST) on September 28,
2003.
