PARIS, June 29, 2007 - Satnews Daily - The Indian Space Research Organization, (ISRO) has selected Arianespace to launch its Insat-4G communications satellite. ISRO Chairman Dr. Madhavan Nair and Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace who signed the launch Service and Solutions contract for Insat-4G, made the announcement.
The launch is slated for the end of 2008, using an Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport, in Kourou, French Guiana. Insat-4G will be the 14th ISRO satellite to use the European launcher. Starting with the Apple experimental satellite on Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace has orbited 13 Indian satellites to date.
Insat-4G is designed, assembled and integrated by ISRO. Weighing about 3,200 kg at launch, it has payloads for communications, broadcasting and weather observation. Its primary payload comprises 18 Ku-band transponders and a radio-navigation module. Insat-4G's coverage zone includes the entire Indian sub-continent.
