GSAT-8 placed in geosynchronous orbit

Bangalore(Karnataka), May 25 (PTI) India's advanced
communication satellite GSAT-8 has reached the geosynchronous
orbit with an orbital period of 23 hours and 45 minutes, ISRO
said.
The satellite's orbit has a perigee (closest point to
Earth) of 35,543 km, an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of
35,770 km and an orbital inclination of 0.04 degree with
respect to the equatorial plane.
Solar arrays on both sides of the satellite have been
deployed and they are tracking the sun and generating
electrical power, the Bangalore-based ISRO said.
These solar arrays are designed to generate 6,240 W of
electrical power. Two large dual grid Ku-band antennae have
been opened and are pointing towards the Earth, it said.
Today the satellite was put into the final orbital
configuration pointing towards the Earth continuously.
GSAT-8 is presently located at 47 degree East longitude
and is being moved towards its final orbital position of 55
degree East, where it will be co-located with the INSAT-3E
satellite.
In Orbit Testing of 24 Ku-band transponders of GSAT-8 is
scheduled to begin on June 1 and the satellite is expected to
be ready for service in about a month, it said.
Testing of GAGAN navigational payload would be conducted
from the new Navigation Control Centre at Kundanahalli near
Bangalore.
GSAT-8 was launched by Ariane 5 from Kourou in French
Guiana on May 21.