Article Posted on : - Aug 09, 2010

A file photo of Ariane 5

EVRY (BNS): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its GSAT 10 communication satellite using European launcher Ariane 5.

Arianespace will launch the satellite in the first quarter of 2012 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport, in Kourou, French Guiana, the company said in a statement.

GSAT 10 will be the 15th ISRO satellite to use the European launcher. Starting with the Apple experimental satellite on Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace has orbited 13 Indian satellites to date.

The satellite's primary payload comprises of 12 high power Ku-band transponders, 12 C-band and 12 Extended C band transponders and a navigation payload.

GSAT 10 will replace the ageing INSAT-2E and INSAT-3B satellites, create additional capacity for DTH like applications and provide on-orbit back-up for the GAGAN navigation payload.

The spacecraft structure is designed for a lift off mass of about 3337 kg with a dry mass of approximately 1432 kg. It employs a proven 1-3K structure used to realize INSAT-4A and 4B satellites and configured with 2-sided solar array panels to generate around 6 KW of DC power.

Arianespace has another Indian satellite in its order book, INSAT 4G (GSAT-8). The world's leading and Solutions Company offers a family of launchers, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega.