Communication antenna deployed on GSAT-12 communication satellite

Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) master control facility in Hassan on Thursday deployed the communication antenna on board the recently-launched GSAT-12 communication satellite.

The communication antenna was deployed at 3.24 pm in the presence of Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan and other senior officials. Radhakrishnan said the satellite was in its final orbital configuration, pointing towards the Earth.

GSAT-12 is now located at 63 degrees east longitude and would be moved to reach its designated longitude of 83 degrees east within the next 16 days.

The GSAT-12 satellite will be co-located with INSAT-2E and INSAT-4A communication satellites. After parking at this location, the satellite’s communication transponders would be switched on by August 6 followed by in-orbit testing, said Radhakrishnan. 

“With the successful launch of GSAT-12, we can now address the shortage of transponders,” Radhakrishnan said.The country faces a shortage of 200 transponders. “We have 86 leased transponders from abroad and 151 transponders of our own.

With the launch of the GSAT-8 and GSAT-12, about 36 more transponders will be operational. With the launch of the GSAT-10 in 2012, 30 more would be added,” he said.