President of India congratulates ISRO on the successful launch of GSAT - 18

[Hindustani78]

President of India congratulates ISRO on the successful launch of India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-18

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on the successful launch of India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-18.

In a message to Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of ISRO, the President has said, “My heartiest congratulations to you and the entire team at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-18 being successfully launched by Ariane 5 VA-231 launch vehicle from Kourou.

I understand that GSAT-18 carries 48 communication transponders in C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-band. It will provide telecommunications services for the country by strengthening ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational telecommunication satellites.

Kindly convey my greetings to the members of your team of scientists, engineers, technologists and all others associated with this mission. I wish the ISRO continued success in the coming years”.

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[Hindustani78]

PM congratulates ISRO on the successful launch of GSAT-18


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated ISRO on the successful launch of India’s communication satellite, GSAT-18.

“Congratulations to ISRO for successfully launching the communication satellite, GSAT-18. This is another milestone for our space programme”, the Prime Minister said.

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GSAT-18 Spacecraft undergoing test at ISITE Bengaluru

GSAT-18
India's latest communication satellite, GSAT-18 was inducted into the INSAT/GSAT system on October 06, 2016 from Kourou, French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-231. Weighing 3404 kg at lift-off, GSAT-18 carries 48 communication transponders to provide Services in Normal C-band, Upper Extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum. GSAT-18 carries Ku-band beacon as well to help in an accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite.

GSAT-18 is designed to provide continuity of services on operational satellites in C-band, Extended C-band and Ku-bands. GSAT-18 was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by Ariane-5 VA-231 launch vehicle. After its injection into GTO, ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan took control of GSAT-18 and performed the initial orbit raising maneuvers using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in circular Geostationary Orbit.

The designed in-orbit operational life of GSAT-18 is about 15 years.


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GSAT-18 will be the 20th satellite from ISRO to be launched by Arianespace. Since the launch of the Apple experimental satellite on Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace has won 86% of the geostationary orbit launch contracts that the country has opened to non-Indian launch systems.

Built by ISRO, GSAT 18 will provide telecommunications services for India, strengthening ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational telecom satellites.

ISRO fosters the use of space to help develop the Indian subcontinent. It focuses on all types of space applications, including Earth observation, telecommunications, broadcasts of educational programs, science and navigation.

The long-standing strategic partnership between ISRO and Arianespace reflects the strong relationship between India and France in the space sector.

After choosing Arianespace to launch its GSAT-17 and GSAT-18 satellites in 2015, ISRO selected Arianespace most recently to launch its GSAT-11 satellite. GSAT-17 and GSAT-11 will be orbited by 2017.