ISRO set to launch communication satellite GSAT-31 this Wednesday
What's the story
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is all set to launch its 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 on Wednesday from the spaceport in French Guiana (French and European spaceport). The satellite with a mission life of 15 years will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites and augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit, the space agency said. Details here.
Twitter Post
The launch is scheduled at 02:31 am (IST): ISRO
🇮🇳 #ISROMissions 🇮🇳
— ISRO (@isro) February 4, 2019
All set for the launch of #GSAT31 onboard #Ariane5 (#VA247) on Feb 6 from the spaceport in French Guiana. The launch is scheduled at 02:31 am (IST). Updates will continue. @Arianespace pic.twitter.com/N4DHXpLi0p
Details
Satellite scheduled to launch from Kourou in French Guiana
In a statement, ISRO said the satellite, weighing about 2,535 kg, is scheduled for launch onboard the Ariane-5 (VA247) from Kourou in French Guiana. "The satellite GSAT-31 is configured on ISRO's enhanced I-2K Bus, utilizing the maximum bus capabilities of this type," the agency said. It further said, "The satellite derives its heritage from ISRO's earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series."
Information
GSAT-31 will support VSAT networks, TV uplinks, DTH TV services
ISRO said that the satellite provides "Indian mainland and island coverage." It also said the GSAT-31 will be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH television services, cellular backhaul connectivity, and many such applications.
Coverage
Satellite will cover Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean
The satellite will also provide wide beam coverage to facilitate communication over a large oceanic region comprising a large part of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean using the wideband transponder, ISRO said. The agency added that two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted for ground tracking purpose. The downlink in Ku-band is primarily used for satellite television.