India to launch INSAT-4C communications satellite
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, July 10, IRNA
India-INSAT-4C-Launch
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is on the threshold of reaching another important milestone with its scheduled launch for the first time on its own of the INSAT-4C communications satellite through its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) today from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Chennai.
While speaking to reporters in Chennai, ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said the GSLV would lift off with the 2168kg INSAT-4C, the heaviest in its class, at 4 pm today, a PTI report said here.
"The preparations for the launch are going on satisfactorily. A rehearsal was held and the results were good," he said on arrival here enroute to Sriharikota.
This is the first launch of the GSLV from the Rs 350 crore state-of-the-art launchpad commissioned in May 2005.
The 49-meter-tall, 414 ton GSLV is a three-stage vehicle.
The first stage, GS1, comprises a core motor with 138 tons of solid propellants and four strap-on motors, each with 42 tons of hypergolic liquid propellant.
The second stage has 39 tons of the same hypergolic liquid propellant. The third (GS3) is a cryogenic stage with 12.6 tons of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2).
INSAT-4C, the second satellite in the INSAT 4 series, would give a boost to direct-to-home television services, video picture transmissions and digital satellite news gathering.
It will also provide space for the National Informatics Centre's VSAT connectivity.
The satellite is designed for a mission life of 10 years.
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