Nellore: The stage has been set for putting into orbit India’s most advanced communication satellite GSAT-16 at 2.08 am on Friday, December 5, from French Guiana.
With the maximum number of transponders, 48, on board an Indian Space Research Organisation satellite so far, it would ensure continuity of various services currently provided by INSAT/GSAT system by addressing the capacity crunch issue.
The multi-band transponders of 24 C-band, 12 upper extended C-band and 12 Kuband, each with 36 MHz usable bandwidth, with footprint covering Indian mainland and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, will help improve communication services in the subcontinent.
The Kuband beacon would help in accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite. The satellite’s operational life is 12 to 16 years.
Its is being launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit by Ariane-5 VA-221 launch vehicle from Kourou, French Guiana.
After its injection into the GTO, Isro’s master control facility at Hassan will take control of the satellite and perform initial orbit raising manoeuvres using the satellite on-board Liquid Apogee Motor, finally placing it in the vicinity of circular geostationary orbit.
