ISRO's GSAT-10 launched successfully

BANGALORE, INDIA: The launch of ISRO's 101st space mission, GSAT-10 satellite, has been a success. At 3400 kg, GSAT-10 is the heaviest Indian satellite that ISRO has built, said a press release.

After a countdown lasting 11 hours and 30 minutes, the Ariane-5 launch vehicle lifted off right on schedule at the opening of the launch window at 02.48 hrs IST today (September 29,2012). The satellite was launched from the Kourou space centre in French Guiana. 

According to ISRO, In the next five days, orbit raising maneuvers will be performed to place the satellite in the Geostationary Orbit. The satellite will be moved to the Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) by using the satellite propulsion system.

GSAT-10 will be ready for operational use by November 2012. The communication satellite has a navigation payload "GAGAN" that would provide GPS signals of improved accuracy (of better than 7 meters) to be used by the Airports Authority of India for Civil Aviation requirements, said the press release. GSAT-10 is the second satellite in INSAT/GSAT constellation with GAGAN payload after GSAT-8, launched in May 2011.

The Indian space agency has a total of 168 transponders under its INSAT/GSAT satellite series. It has also taken on lease 94 transponders from foreign satellites.