India's latest communication satellite GSAT-17 launched from French Guiana

New Delhi: The GSAT-17, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s latest communication satellite, was on Thursday successfully launched into space from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana using a heavy duty rocket Ariane-5 VA-238.

The European launcher Arianespace Flight VA238 blasted off from Ariane Launch Complex No 3 (ELA 3) at Kourou, a French territory located in northeastern coast of South America, couple of minutes delayed than the scheduled time of 2:29 hrs IST, PTI reported.

"GSAT-17 successfully launched by Ariane-5 VA-238 from Kourou, French Guiana," the city headquartered ISRO announced after the mission.

Configured around I-3K extended bus, GSAT-17 carries payloads in Normal C- band, Extended C-band and S-band to provide various communication services.

It also carries equipment for meteorological data relay and satellite based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites.

GSAT-17 was injected shortly after orbiting co-passenger Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN in a flawless flight lasting about 41 minutes.

GSAT-17 that will strengthen ISRO's current fleet of 17 telecommunications satellites was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Thursday's mission was the third satellite launch by ISRO this month, the other two being first developmental flight of GSLV MkIII and PSLV C-38 missions - both from Sriharikota spaceport.

GSLV MkIII successfully launched GSAT-19 satellite on June 5 while PSLV-C38 orbited Cartosat-2 Series satellite along with 30 co-passenger satellites on June 23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

ISRO, which has been dependent on Ariane-5 rocket for carrying its heavier satellites, is developing GSLV Mk III for this purpose.

Announcing the successful launch of the satellite, Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel tweeted: "Confirmed: GSAT-17 has successfully separated from its #Ariane5 launcher #VA238 @ISRO "

Confirmed: Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN has successfully separated from its #Ariane5 launcher #VA238 @HellasSat @InmarsatGlobal pic.twitter.com/7ewv5Lt1MQ

— Stéphane Israël (@arianespaceceo) June 28, 2017

Thanking Arianespace, Director Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Dr K Sivan who watched the launch from the mission control centre called it a "text book mission".

GSAT-17's co-passenger Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN is a two-payload "condosat" produced by Thales Alenia Space for Hellas Sat and Inmarsat.

Hellas Sat (member of the Arabsat Group) is a premium satellite operator, offering services in Europe, the Middle East and South Africa from the orbital position of 39 East.

Once in orbit, the Hellas Sat 3 component will deliver direct-to-home and telecom services to maintain and expand Hellas Sat's business reach, while the Inmarsat S EAN component provides the satellite portion of Inmarsat's new European Aviation Network. Inmarsat is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services.

After its injection into GTO, ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan takes control of GSAT-17 and performs the initial orbit raising maneuvers using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in circular Geostationary Orbit, the Indian space agency has said.

GSAT-17 will be the 21st satellite from ISRO to be launched by Arianespace, and its designed in-orbit operational life is about 15 years.

The total payload carried on Flight VA238 is approximately 10,177 kg.

(With PTI inputs)