GSAT-12 placed in geosynchronous orbit

The GSAT-12 communication satellite, launched onboard PSLV-C17, has been successfully placed in geosynchronous orbit with a perigee of 35,684 km, apogee of 35,715 km and an orbital inclination of 0.17 deg with respect to the equatorial plane.

On July 15, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) injected GSAT-12 into an elliptical transfer orbit of 281 km perigee (closest point to Earth) and 21,027 km apogee (farthest point to earth), and orbital inclination of 17.9 deg.

Critical manoeuvres to raise GSAT-12 Satellite into geosynchronous orbit were performed by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the spacecraft for about 80 minutes in five spells during July 16-20.

The communication antenna onboard the satellite was deployed successfully on Thursday at 15:30 hrs and the spacecraft is in its final orbital configuration, pointing towards earth, according to an ISRO statement.

GSAT-12 is now located at 63 deg East longitude. The satellite would be moved to reach its designated longitude of 83 degree East within the next 16 days (at the rate of one degree per day). The GSAT-12 would be co-located with INSAT-2E and INSAT-4A satellites, the space agency added.

After parking the satellite at this location, the communication transponders are planned to be switched on by August 5, followed by in-orbit testing.

"The GSAT-12 satellite is in good health and is in continuous radio-visibility from ISRO's Master Control Facility, Hassan," it was stated.