Ariane to launch ISRO’s GSAT-24 on June 22

India’s communication Satellite GSAT-24 which is a four tonne class satellite will soon be launched by the Arianspace launch vehicle Ariane-5 from the Kourou in French Guiana on June 22.

Chennai, May 21: India’s communication Satellite GSAT-24, a four tonne class satellite, will be launched by the Arianspace launch vehicle Ariane-5 from Kourou in French Guiana on June 22. In a tweet, Arianspace said “Hello there! Welcome to GSAT-24, the second passenger of our Flight #VA257. This satellite built by @isro for @NSIL_India , will be launched on June 22 onboard our @Ariane5 launcher!”. “We’ll let you know once the beast is awake”, the tweet said. Arianespace also shared the picture of the container carrying the satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation being unloaded from an Indian Air Force plane. GSAT-24 is a dedicated satellite for Tata Play’s (formerly TataSky) Direct-To-Home (DTH) services.

The GSAT-24 satellite is fully dedicated commercial satellite of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of India’s Department of Space. Ariane space in its website said NSIL has chosen Arianespace to launch its GSAT-24 telecommunications satellite and place in the GTO orbit. The satellite was earlier scheduled for launch in the 1st quarter of 2022 (between January & March). GSAT-24 will be the 25th Indian satellite orbited by Arianespace, highlighting an outstanding partnership. On September 28, 2021, NSIL entrusted Arianespace with the launch of its GSAT-24 telecommunications satellite. GSAT-24 is scheduled for launch in the 1st quarter of 2022. From the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. On one of the seven Ariane 5 missions remaining to be performed with the heavy-lift launcher.

Advertisement

This Ku-band satellite is a 4-ton class communications satellite built by the ISRO and will be placed into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). Arianspace sad once orbited, GSAT-24 will provide high-quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services. GSAT-24 satellite is the “1st Demand Driven communication satellite mission” undertaken by NSIL. “We are delighted that NSIL, for the first time. Since its creation in March 2019, has entrusted Ariane 5 with a new GTO satellite to deliver”. Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace said.

“This contract is a new milestone in the long-time partnership linking Arianespace to India and its space agency ISRO that began in 1981 with our first joint success: APPLE satellite, launched on an Ariane 1. We proudly performed 24 launches for India, continuously and successfully supporting its institutions, businesses and population’s needs”, he said. “We are thrilled to see this upcoming launch consolidate our relationship. Which is a two-way street, with Indian launchers having orbited European satellites”. He added.