India's another communications satellite

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists on Friday successfully launched the GSAT-12 communications satellite which will help meet India’s increasing demand for services like tele-education, telemedicine and e-governance.

The 1410 kg satellite, which costs Rs 80 crores, was launched on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The PSLV-C17 rocket launched the GSAT-12 satellite into a
sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit of 284 km perigee and an apogee of 21,000 km. The satellite with Extended C-band transponders will augment communication services in the country, the ISRO said.

With this launch, the PSLV, referred to as the Indian space agency’s trusted workhorse, completed its eighteenth successful mission in a row. Two more launches of the rocket are expected later this year.