ISRO launches INSAT-4B
March 12, India’s latest communication satellite designed and built by the Indian Space Research Organisation was launched successfully on March 12 from European’s space agency’s spaceport at Kourou in French Guyana. This artificial orbiter will give powerful boost to direct-to-home (DTH) television and communication services.
The liftoff of Insat-4B had been scheduled on March 11. But the schedule was deferred following the problem in the flow of water that cools the launch pad and the rocket was put on hold.
The signals from Insat-4B were received by the Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan. Now MCF is tracking, monitoring and controlling the satellite. Commands have been issued by MCF to to the artificial orbiter to make it face the earth.
ISRO official said that the satellite would be manoeuvred to its final geo-stationary orbit, about 36,000 km above the equator, by firing its 440 Newton liquid apogee motor in the next two days. When the satellite reaches near the geo-synchronous orbit, its solar panels and two antennas would be deployed, he added.
Jean-Yves Le Gall, CEO of Ariane-space said that they had once again demonstrated their leadership, with this first launch in the year. He said that the satisfaction of every customer was their keyword, offering the best possible service and solutions.
A top ISRO official said that the number of high power transponders for DTH service had doubled to 24 with the addition of 12 such transponders from Insat-4B. The ISRO release said that the satellite was the largest domestic communication satellite system in the Asia pacific region.
