NEW DELHI/BANGALORE, 23 December 2005 — Taking a major step forward in its space program, India yesterday successfully launched its most advanced, powerful and heaviest satellite. Weighing 3,080 kg, INSAT-4A was shot into space at 4.03 a.m., around 29 minutes after the European generic rocket Ariane-5 blasted off.
INSAT-4A, India’s fourth generation satellite, was launched from Kourou in French Guyana. Seven minutes later, the rocket also deployed INSAT-4A’s co-passenger, European meteorological payload MSG-2. The launch was telecast live by Indian television service Doordarshan.
Soon after the launch, Indian space scientists received signals that the health of the satellite was “good,” Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman G. Madhavan Nair said. “Satellite signals have been acquired by our station (Master Control Facility) at Hassan (in Karnataka). Signals are good. Health of the satellite is good,” Nair said.
Describing it as a milestone in ISRO’s history, Nair said: “This (INSAT-4A) is going to revolutionize the TV broadcasting directly to the homes and improve the entertainment scenario in India. This is virtually going to add to the capacity of 150 transponders which the INSAT constellation possesses today.”
Established in 1983, INSAT is one of Asia Pacific region’s largest domestic communication satellite system.
Before INSAT-4A, India had eight satellites in orbit — the INSAT-2E, the INSAT-3A, the INSAT-3B, the INSAT-3C, the INSAT-3E, Kalpana-1, GSAT-2 and EDUSAT. The INSAT satellites are also equipped with meteorological equipment.
