ISRO GSAT-31 was launched successfully from French Guiana

ISRO’s GSAT-31 was launched successfully from French Guiana

On wednesday, the ISRO’s 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 was launched successfully from kourou in French Guiana by Ariane-5 at 2.31 am(IST).

GSAT-31 is weighing about 2,535 kg with a mission life of 15 years will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites and augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit. 

The ISRO’s chairman Dr K sivan said, "The satellite GSAT-31 is configured on ISRO's enhanced I-2K Bus, utilising the maximum bus capabilities of this type. The satellite derives its heritage from ISROs earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series. The satellite provides Indian mainland and island coverage".

ISRO Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Director S Pandian at Kourou after the launch said, "GSAT-31 was a flawless launch. I congratulate arianespace and isro officials who have been camping at the European spaceport since early january to prepare for the launch. Arianespace will also launch another communication satellite GSAT-30 of ISRO in june-july".

Israel said, "This was the 23rd successful launch of an Indian satellite by an Ariane vehicle. Just last year on December 5, Arianespace launched India’s heaviest satellite Gsat-11 weighing 5,854 kg. Hope this friendship grows stronger".

ISRO said, "The GSAT-31 will be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH television services, cellular back haul connectivity and many such applications. The satellite will also provide wide beam coverage to facilitate communication over large oceanic region using wide band transponder".

The two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted by the satellite for ground-tracking purpose.