GSAT-17 launch to augment India's communication satellites fleet: European Space Agency Arianespace

IANS Wednesday, 28 June 2017 03:03:42 PM

India will augment its fleet of communication satellites with the launch of GSAT-17

Chennai : India on Thursday will augment its fleet of communication satellites with the launch of GSAT-17 through Ariane 5 rocket, said the European Space Agency Arianespace.

The rocket is expected to blast off from the European Spaceport in French Guinea with GSAT-17 and Hellas Sat 3-Immarsat S EAN.

The total weight to be lifted by the rocket will be 10,177 kg or just over 10 tonne.

"GSAT-17, to be deployed from Ariane 5's lower passenger position, was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO) to strengthen its current fleet of 17 telecommunications satellites. The spacecraft's separation will occur approximately 41 minutes after lift-off," Arianespace said.

According to ISRO, GSAT-17 is configured around I-3K extended bus with a lift-off mass of about 3,477 kg.

GSAT-17 carries Payloads in Normal C-band, Extended C-band and S-band to provide various communication services.

GSAT-17 also carries equipment for meteorological data relay and satellite-based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites, ISRO said.