India's communication satellite, GSAT-8, built by the Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO] was successfully launched on 21st of Mayune 2011 by the Arianespace SA, Space transportation company aboard their Ariane-5, heavy lift satellite launch vehicle. The satellite is expected to go operational on July 1st 2011 after it has been nudged into the Geosynchronous Orbit from the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit [GTO] the Ariane-5 rocket placed it in & requisite tests carried out, beginning June 1 2011. Along with the Indian satellite, it also launched the Mitsubishi Electric-built ST-2 satellite, that is to be jointly operated by the Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Company Ltd. India currently makes use of Arianespace SA's satellite launch services for launching its heavy, communication satellites, having developed the capability to do so itself for smaller satellites through its highly successful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle [PSLV], with its impeccable service & success record. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle [GSLV] programme, currently underway, on completion, including the Mk III variant, would make India wholly self-sufficient & capable of launching all satellites, across the entire weight weight spectrum, from within India itself & being able to offer its services to other satellite building nation with significant cost-advantage in comparison to contemporary services. Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO] isro ...

• published: 21 May 2011
• views: 2913
• author: Luptonga