Article Posted on : - Nov 27, 2010

An artist's concept of HYLAS.

BANGALORE (PTI): Advanced communication satellite HYLAS, built by ISRO on a commercial basis in partnership with Europe's space leader EADS-Astrium, was successfully launched from French Guyana on Saturday.

Thirty five minutes after the lift-off (00.09 hrs IST) at Guyana Space Centre at Kourou in European Ariane-5 V198 launch vehicle, HYLAS separated from the launch vehicle after reaching its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit, an ISRO press release said.

ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka successfully received radio signals transmitted by HYLAS (Highly Adaptable Satellite) and the satellite's health is normal, it said.

HYLAS, developed for Avanti Communications, UK, comprises 10 high power transponders that use eight Ka and two Ku band frequencies.

It is designed to deliver high-speed broadband services through its spot beams over Europe, the release said, adding that the HYLAS is expected to operate from 33.5 deg West longitude for European coverage.

The contract to build it was won in 2006 after stiff competition with leading manufacturers in USA and Europe through the strategic alliance worked out between Antrix/ISRO and M/s EADS Astrium of France, the space agency said.

The alliance was formed to jointly develop communication satellites with ISRO platforms and Astrium payloads and market these internationally.

HYLAS weighing 2,541 kg at lift-off is the heaviest satellite built by ISRO for I-2K bus and is capable of operating for over 15 years mission life as demanded by the customer. Its solar panels generate a maximum of about 3,200 watts of power.

Antrix/ISRO is also responsible for the post launch operations of HYLAS, being conducted from Hassan. The operations include firing of its Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) in three phases to place the satellite in geo-stationary orbit.

The first firing of LAM is scheduled for Sunday morning, the release said.