Isro’s GSAT11 launch postponed, satellite recalled from Guiana station
The launch of India’s most powerful and heaviest communications satellite GSAT-11, scheduled for May 25 by private commercial launcher, Arianespace, from a station in French Guiana, has been postponed.
The company said that “additional technical checks” would be performed at Isro’s Satellite Centre (ISAC) located in Bangalore.
The GSAT 11 is an advanced communication satellite, the heaviest one from Isro’s stable, weighing 5.7-tonnes. The Indian space agency is developing its own capabilities to launch heavier satellites since foreign launches are more expensive.
The space agency lost communication with GSAT 6A another communications satellite on March 31, less than three days after it was launched.
The GSAT 11 was transported to the launch site in South America in March. “GSAT 11 will be brought back to India next week for additional checks,” a senior Isro official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.
The satellite will allow for multi-beam coverage of the Indian subcontinent, that is more efficient communication and support high speed internet services.
“The launch of GSAT-11 scheduled during May 2018 from Kourou, French Guyana is rescheduled. The revised launch date will be communicated subsequently,” Isro said in a statement.
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