Bangalore: The GSAT-12 communication
satellite, launched onboard PSLV-C17, has been successfully
placed in geosynchronous orbit with a perigee of 35,684 km,
apogee of 35,715 km and an orbital inclination of 0.17 deg
with respect to the equatorial plane.
On July 15, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17)
injected GSAT-12 into an elliptical transfer orbit of 281 km
perigee (closest point to Earth) and 21,027 km apogee
(farthest point to earth), and orbital inclination of 17.9
deg.
Critical manoeuvres to raise GSAT-12 Satellite into
geosynchronous orbit were performed by firing the 440 Newton
Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the spacecraft for about 80
minutes in five spells during July 16-20.
The communication antenna onboard the satellite was
deployed successfully today at 15:30 hrs and the spacecraft is
in its final orbital configuration, pointing towards earth,
according to an ISRO statement.
GSAT-12 is now located at 63 deg East longitude. The
satellite would be moved to reach its designated longitude of
83 degree East within the next 16 days (at the rate of one
degree per day). The GSAT-12 would be co-located with INSAT-2E
and INSAT-4A satellites, the space agency added.
After parking the satellite at this location, the
communication transponders are planned to be switched on by
August 5, followed by in-orbit testing.
"The GSAT-12 satellite is in good health and is in
continuous radio-visibility from ISRO`s Master Control
Facility, Hassan," it was stated.
PTI
