The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is ready to launch its advanced communication satellite, GSAT-8, at 2.08 a.m. (IST) on May 21, 2011. Arianespace's Ariane-V rocket will put the satellite in orbit after lift-off from Kourou in French Guiana.
After its two Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLVs) failed to put GSATs into orbit last year, the launch of GSAT-8 has gained greater importance.
Important Facts about GSAT-8:-
- GSAT-8 has a lift-off weight of 3,100 kg.
- ISRO Satellite Centre in Bangalore built it with the payloads coming from Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad.
- GSAT-8 will augment our transponder capacity, adding 24 Ku-band transponders to our kitty.
- GSAT-8 can be used for telecasting television programmes, beaming telephone-calls, internet communication, operating ATMs, and navigation.
- The satellite has 24 high-power transponders in Ku-band that could be used for telecommunication and a GPS-Aided Geo-augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload.
- GSAT-8 is expected to be in orbit for 12 years.
An ISRO official said the GAGAN payload would help aircraft to land with an accuracy of less than 7.6 metres on the runways at the Indian airports. “When you are landing an aircraft, your real position should not differ from the estimated position by more than 7.6 metres. The aircraft will know its position using the information received from this satellite.”
Where is Kourou located?- Kourou is a commune in French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America.
- Kourou is the location of the Guiana Space Centre, France and European Space Agency's main spaceport (i.e., a site for launching or receiving spacecraft).
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