GSAT-12

 The latest communication satellite of India is GSAT-12 which is built and developed by ISRO. It is the only satellite to be launched and placed using PSLV.  It was operated by a women core team of ISRO.

GSAT-12 (Source-ISRO)

LAUNCH:

 Through PSLV C-17, GSAT-12 was launched on 15^th July 2011 from SLP of Satish Dhawan Research Centre, Sriharikota. The satellite is injected by PSLV-C 17 in the elliptical transfer orbit of 284 km perigee and an apogee of 21,000 km.

This is the 19^th flight of PSLV which uses the PSLV-XL version. In this, 6 extended solid strap-on motors are used which carries 12 tonnes of solid propellant. It is considered to be a replacement of aged satellite INSAT-3B whose mission life is about 8 years.

After Chandrayaan-1, this is the second flight of PSLV-XL configuration which is currently the most powerful PSLV variant in service.

MISSION LEADERS:

The mission was leaded by the women core team of ISRO. The project director was Anuradha TK, the mission director was Promoda Hegde and the operations director was Anuradha.S.Prakash.

 Read This: GSAT - 12

IMPORTANT FEATURES:

Indigenously designed and developed On-Board computer (OBC) with Vikram 1601 processor in both primary and redundant chains of the vehicle is used for the first time. The OBC performs the functions of Navigation, Guidance and control processing for the vehicle. Extended Solid strap-on configuration is used.

GSAT-12 during testing process (Source-ISRO)

Also Read: GSAT - 7: Indian Navy's dedicated Communications Satellite

APPLICATIONS:

GSAT-12 is equipped with 12 Extended C-band transponders with a lift-off mass 1410 kg in the INSAT system for various communication services for Village Resource Centres (VRC).

It is configured around 1000 kg class bus with external C-band Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) based transponders.

GSAT-12 provides services like tele-education, telemedicine, disaster management support and satellite internet access.

 

 

MISSION OUTLINE:

Launch Mass                       :1410 kg

Launch Vehicle                   :PSLV-C17

Power                                    :1430 Watts

Orbit Type                            :GSO

Mission Life                         :8 years

Application                          :Communication

Operator                              :INSAT

Owner & Manufacturer     :ISRO

PSLV C-17 Lift-Off view (Credit-ISRO)