The GSAT-12 Communication Satellite, launched onboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (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 degree with respect to the equatorial plane.
It may be recalled that on July 15, 2011, PSLV-C17 had injected GSAT-12 into an elliptical transfer orbit of 281 km perigee and 21,027 km apogee, and orbital inclination of 17.9 degree. The critical manoeuvres to raise GSAT-12 Satellite into Geosynchronous Orbit were performed by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor of GSAT-12 Satellite for about 80 minutes in five spells during July 16-20, 2011.
The Communication antenna onboard the satellite was deployed successfully today (July 21, 2011) at 15:30 hrs (IST) and the Satellite is in its final orbital configuration, pointing towards Earth.
GSAT-12 is now located at 63 degree 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 Satellite will be co-located with INSAT-2E and INSAT-4A Satellites.
After parking the Satellite at this location, the Communication Transponders are planned to be switched on by August 5, 2011, 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.
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