GSAT-8 is unloaded from the Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner at Cayenne’s Rochambeau International Airport in French Guiana.
A dual-purpose Indian satellite to be orbited on another of Arianespace's Ariane 5 missions during 2011 arrived in French Guiana today. GSAT-8, which also is known by the INSAT-4G designation, was delivered to Rochambeau International Airport near the capital city of Cayenne, arriving aboard a chartered Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner. This satellite is fitted with 18 Ku-band transponders for telecommunications duties and also carries a navigation payload called GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation). GSAT-8 will have a liftoff mass of 3,150 kg. and is designed for a mission life of 12 years. Operating with a payload power of 5,300 Watts, the satellite will be located at an orbital position of 55 degrees East longitude following its deployment by Ariane 5. The GSAT-8 platform will be launched along with ST-2, a spacecraft for the ST-2 Satellite Ventures Pte Ltd. joint venture of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) and Chunghwa Telecom Company Ltd.