GSAT-8 successfully launched, PM congratulates scientists

Bangalore, May 21 (PTI) India's advanced communication
satellite GSAT-8, which is aimed at augmenting direct to home
TV broadcast services, was on Saturday successfully launched
by Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana.
GSAT-8 was injected into space by European launcher
Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket which lifted-off at 02.08 am
(IST), with Japan's ST-2 spacecraft as co-passenger.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the
Department of Space for the successful launch of the
communication satellite. Singh rang up Space Secretary K
Radhakrishnan at the launch site and conveyed his greetings.
With a design life exceeding 12 years, GSAT-8, which
weighs 3,100 kg, is one of the heaviest and high-powered
satellites built by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The satellite carried 24 transponders to augment
India's Ku-band relay capabilities – primarily for
direct-to-home TV broadcast services – with a coverage zone
including the entire Indian subcontinent.
Additionally, GSAT-8 carried the two-channel GAGAN
system for aircraft navigation assistance over Indian airspace
and adjoining areas.
The total project cost was around Rs 600 crore. While
the cost of the satellite was around Rs 250 crore, Rs 300 was
the launch cost. The insurance cost was around Rs 30 crore.
ISRO said Ariane 5 placed GSAT-8 into the intended
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) of 35,861 km apogee (away
from Earth) and 258 km perigee (close to Earth), with an
orbital inclination of 2.503 deg with respect to equator.
"Initial checks have indicated normal health of the
satellite", the space agency said.
Preparations are underway for the firing of 440 Newton
Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) during the third orbit of the
satellite at 03:58 hrs IST tomorrow as a first step towards
taking the satellite to its geostationary orbital home.
An ISRO team, which witnessed the launch, expressed
happiness over the successful mission.
"I am extremely happy to announce that ISRO’s Master
Control Facility at Hassan near Bangalore has confirmed the
reception of signals from GSAT-8 and taken charge of the
command and control of GSAT-8 immediately after its injection
into the geo-stationary transfer orbit," Radhakrishnan, who is
also ISRO Chairman said.
"This (the launch) is another great moment for us…,"
he said.
Radhakrishnan said the user community in India was
looking forward for the operationalisation of the 24
high-power Ku band transponders into the Indian National
Satellite system.