ISRO’s GSAT-18 to be launched today

The 3,404 kg GSAT-18 would be launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by the Ariane-5 launch vehicle, after which ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan will take control of the satellite and perform the initial orbit raising manoeuvers using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in circular Geostationary Orbit. After this, the deployment of appendages such as the solar arrays and antennas as well as three axis stabilisation of the satellite will be performed. 

GSAT-18 will be positioned at 74 deg East longitude and co-located with other operational satellites. With the designed in-orbit operational life of 15 years, GSAT-18 is India’s latest communication high-power satellite being inducted into the INSAT/GSAT system. 

GSAT-18 carries 48 communication transponders to provide services in normal C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum. GSAT18 carries Ku-band beacon as well to help in accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite. It was designed to provide continuity of services on operational satellites in C-band, extended C-band and Ku-bands.

GSAT-18 will be the 20th satellite from ISRO to be launched by Arianespace. Built by ISRO, GSAT 18 will provide telecommunications services for India, strengthen ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational telecom satellites. Ariane-5, in its website said, ISRO fosters the use of space to help develop the Indian subcontinent. It focuses on all types of space applications, including Earth observation, telecommunications, broadcasts of educational programmes, science and navigation. 

The long-standing strategic partnership between ISRO and Arianespace reflects the strong relationship between India and France in the space sector. After choosing Arianespace to launch its GSAT-17 and GSAT-18 satellites in 2015, ISRO selected Arianespace most recently to launch its GSAT-11 satellite. GSAT-17 and GSAT-11 will be orbited by 2017.