Ariane 5 places GSAT-18 communication satellite in orbit, PM Modi congratulates

New Delhi : An Indian communication satellite GSAT-18 was on Thursday put into the orbit by Ariane 5 rocket belonging to a French company Arianespace.

The rocket lifted off from its spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana).

The initial activities of the satellite after being placed into the orbit were performed by Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO) at its Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka. 

Brief info about communication satellite GSAT 18

GSAT-18 is India’s latest communication satellite with 48 transponders that receives and transmits the communication signal. The satellite comes with an orbital operational life of 15 years.

The satellite weighs 3,404 kgs and will be providing a facility in normal C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum.

Highlights:

# Ariane 5 placed Indian communication satellite GSAT 18 into the orbit

# The satellite comes with an in-orbit operational lifespan of 15 years.

# Apart from Indian communication satellite, Ariane 5 also carried Australian Sky Muster II satellite.

# The Thursday flight was Arianespace's eighth of 11 launches targeted in 2016.