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India’s GSAT-11 retested and ready

May 15, 2018

By Chris Forrester

India’s latest high-capacity GSAT-11 satellite was recalled from its launch site in French Guiana on April 25th, and an expected launch date of May 25th scrubbed. The satellite, the heaviest-ever Indian craft, was returned to India for further testing with a focus on its electrical systems after an expensive in-orbit failure on March 29th by a predecessor (GSAT-6A).

GSAT-11 had been at the Arianespace launch site since March 30th.

India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) now says it will wrap its investigation into GSAT-11 at its Bengaluru Satellite Centre this week.

According to the Times of India, the re-examination will complete on May 17th. ISRO chairman K Sivan said if no other problems occur then discussions will start with Arianespace for a suitable launch date.

GSAT-11 carries 40 transponders and is capable of providing DTH services and high-bandwidth connectivity.

Sivan said that ISRO is simultaneously working on its next communication satellite GSAT-29. Its launch is due in June or July.” Gsat-29, which carries Ka and Ku multi-beam and optical communication payloads for the first time, will be launched by an Indian rocket. The satellite’s mission targets village resource centres in rural areas in order to help bridge the digital divide.

Categories: Articles, DTH/Satellite