 |
| India’s Insat 4A completes its
pre-launch operations at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
(CNES/Arianespace/ESA photo) |
KOUROU, French Guiana, Dec. 2, 2005/Satnews
Daily/ — The Insat-4A satellite payload for Arianespace's upcoming
Ariane 5 mission has undergone its pre-flight checkout and is now fueled
for launch according to Arianespace.
Insat-4A is the first in India's new Insat -4 telecommunications
spacecraft series, and will carry a mixed payload of 12 Ku-band and 12
C-band transponders. It will provide coverage over the Indian
subcontinent.
As part of its checkout performed at Europe's Spaceport, a deployment
was made of Insat-4A's solar arrays in the S1B clean room facility. This
test validated the proper extension sequence for the three-panel solar
arrays located on opposite sides of the satellite.
Arianespace said following the solar array test, Insat -4A was
transferred to the Spaceport's large S5 payload preparation facility,
where it was fueled with the propellant that will be used during the
satellite's operational life for orbital positioning and
station-keeping.
Insat-4A was designed, built and integrated by the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). The spacecraft will have a liftoff mass of
approximately 3,200 kg.
A total of seven satellites are expected to form the Insat-4
constellation of telecommunications spacecraft. The Insat system is a
joint venture of India's Department of Space, Department of
Telecommunications, the India Meteorological Department, All India Radio
and Doordarshan.
Scheduled for liftoff in the second half of
December, an Ariane 5 Generic will orbit Europe's no. 2 Meteosat Second
Generation (MSG-2) meteorological satellite, along with the Insat 4A.
Recent Stories:
Arianespace
Readies European Weather Satellite, Insat 4A for Mid-Dec. Flight
Ariane 5 Saturday
Flight Postponed; Arianespace to Reschedule Liftoff in Coming Days
Arianespace
Heavy-lift Mission Cleared for Saturday Launch
Arianespace Delays
Anew Launch of Spaceway 2 and Telkom 2 to Nov. 12 |
