ISRO’s Communication Satellite GSAT-18 Successfully Put Into Orbit

GSAT-18 is a communication satellite with 48 transponders that receive and transmit communication signals.

GSAT-18 was successfully launched by the Ariane-5 rocket. (Photo: ISRO)

Indian communication satellite GSAT-18 was successfully put into orbit by the Ariane 5 rocket belonging to French company Arianespace on Thursday, ISRO said.

The rocket lifted off from its spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), its Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka took control of GSAT-18 and performed the initial orbit-raising activities by firing the motors onboard the satellite.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on the launch.

The satellite was placed in a circular geostationary orbit, ISRO said. GSAT-18 is India's latest communication satellite with 48 transponders that will receive and transmit communication signals.

The 3,404kg satellite will provide services in normal C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum.

The satellite carries a Ku-band beacon as well to help in accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite.

Its designed in-orbit operational life is about 15 years.

Carrying 12 transponders in Ku-band and another 24 in C-band, GSAT-18 will provide telecommunications services for India once in its final orbital position (74 degrees East), strengthening ISRO's current fleet of 14 operational satellites.