Indian communication satellite raised to its orbit

CHENNAI, INDIA: Indian communication satellite GSAT-12 has reached its intended orbit, the country's space agency said Thursday.

In a statement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said GSAT-12 has been successfully placed in geosynchronous orbit with an apogee (farthest point from Earth) of 35,715 km, a perigee (nearest point from the Earth) of 35,684 km and an orbital inclination of 0.17 degrees with respect to the equatorial plane.

For an observer from earth, a satellite in geosynchronous orbit will seem motionless, stationary at one point in the sky.

The Rs.105 crore GSAT-12 satellite, with 12 extended C-band transponders - automatic receivers and transmitters for communication and broadcast of signals - was launched by ISRO's lighter rocket polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) from the space port at Sriharikota, around 80 km from Chennai, July 15.

The GSAT-12 will be co-located with INSAT-2E and INSAT-4A satellites, following which the transponders will be switched on by August 5.