ISRO logo.
Dec 13, 2010
Indian Space Research Organisation has decided to launch its new communication satellite GSAT-5 Prime from the spaceport of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at around 4 pm on December 20.
Sources in the Bangalore-headquartered space agency told PTI that the mission readiness review in Sriharikota yesterday, chaired by ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, gave the go-ahead for the mission.
"The satellite is slated to be moved to the launch-pad tomorrow", an ISRO official said.
GSAT-5P
The 2400-kg satellite, equipped with 24 normal C-band and 12 Extended C-band transponders, would be launched by home-made Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06) powered by Russian cryogenic engine. The exclusive C-band GSAT-5P has a designed mission life of 12 years.
GSLV
ISRO this year launched two major satellites - communication satellite GSAT-4 and remote sensing satellite Cartosat-2. While the launch of GSAT-4 failed as the GSLV rocket carrying it plunged into the sea due to engine failure, Cartosat-2 was placed successfully in the orbit.
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Images, Text, Credits: ISRO / Press Trust of India.
Cheers, Orbiter.ch
