NEW DELHI: The geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-F-01), carrying Edusat, India’s exclusive satellite for educational services, was launched from the space centre at Srharikota here today at 4.01 pm.
The GSLV-F-01, carrying the 1950-kg satellite, soared majestically into the sky, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, Press Trust of India reported today.
As the 49-metre-tall three-stage GSLV, weighing 414 tonnes, rose into the sky from this spindle-shaped island, off Bay of Bengal, there was jubilation all round with many scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation, hugging each other and clapping their hands.
The GSLV will place the satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) within a few minutes after the lift-off, and from GTO, the satellite would reach the 36,000 km high Geostationary Orbit (GSO), by firing, in stages, its on-board Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM).
In GSO, the satellite will be co-located with Kalpana-1 and INSAT-3C satellites.
Built for a mission life of seven years, the Edusat is mainly intended to meet the demand for an interactive satellite-based distance education system for the country.
The exclusive satellite project will be utilised to demonstrate the concept of “multicasting” interactive multimedia for the educational sector. It will have multiple beams, with one Ku-band transponder covering the entire footprint of the country, while five Ku-band transponders will provide spot beams directed in four different regions (north, south, west and east, including north-east).
In addition, Edusat will carry six C-band transponders for other communication and broadcasting services covering the entire country.
The dedicated satellite will become operational in three months after it is deployed in the geo-orbit and we hope the first phase of the programme will be implemented before the end of the current fiscal (2004-05).
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