India has launched its communication satellite GSAT-18 into space by Ariane 5 rocket belonging to French company Arianespace from its Kourou (French Guiana).
ISRO Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka took control of GSAT-18 and performed the initial orbit raising activities by firing the motors onboard the satellite.
The satellite was placed in a circular geostationary orbit.
GSAT-18 is India’s latest communication satellite with 48 transponders that receive and transmit communication signals.
The 3,404 kg satellite will provide services in normal C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum.
The satellite carries Ku-band beacon as well to help in accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite.
Carrying 12 transponders in Ku-band and another 24 in C-band, GSAT-18 will provide telecommunications services for India once in its final orbital position (74 deg. East), strengthening ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational satellites.
Its designed in-orbit operational life is about 15 years.
Apart from the Indian communication satellite, the Ariane 5 rocket put into orbit Australian Sky Muster II satellite.