Bad weather delays Isro’s launch of communications satellite GSAT-18
The launch of India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-18 early on Wednesday, onboard the Arianespace rocket, from Kourou in French Guiana has been deferred by a day due to heavy cross winds, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said.
The launch of India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-18 early on Wednesday, onboard the Arianespace rocket, from Kourou in French Guiana has been deferred by a day due to heavy cross winds, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said.
“The launch has been postponed by one day due to heavy cross winds,” a senior ISRO official said late on Tuesday night.
The communications satellite will now be launched at 2am on October 6, 24 hours after its initial launch time.
Read | India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-15 successfully launched
Arianespace launch vehicle Ariane-5 VA-231, was set to carry the GSAT-18 along with co-passenger Sky Muster II for the Australian operator nbn (National Broadband Network).
“Due to high altitude winds, decision to postpone #VA231. Tomorrow’s forecast is green. Launch window now set to open on Oct 5 at 20:30 UTC,” Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël tweeted.
The launch has been scheduled now between 2 and 3:15am India time on October 6, it said, adding, “The launcher, with its Sky Muster II and GSAT-18 satellite payloads, remains in a safe standby condition.”
GSAT-18 is designed to provide continuity of services on operational satellites in C-band, Extended C-band and Ku-bands.
Weighing 3,404 kg at lift-off, the satellite carries 48 communication transponders to provide services in Normal C-band, Upper Extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum. It also carries Ku-band beacon to help in accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite.
GSAT-18 will be launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
GSAT-18’s co-passenger Sky Muster II, built by SSL (Space Systems Loral) in Palo Alto, California, is aimed at bridging the digital divide, especially in the rural and isolated regions of Australia.
Also read | ISRO starts countdown for GSLV-F05 launch with weather satellite on board
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