Arianespace to
Launch Insat 4G for India
(22 June 2007) The Indian Space
Research Organisation, ISRO, has once again chosen Arianespace, this time to
launch its Insat 4G communications satellite.
Three months after
Ariane 5 successfully orbited the Insat 4B satellite, Dr. Madhavan Nair,
Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Jean-Yves Le
Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, today announced that ISRO has selected
Arianespace launch Service & Solutions for the Insat 4G
satellite.
The launch is slated for the end of 2008, using an Ariane 5
from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport, in Kourou, French
Guiana.
14th ISRO contract.
Insat 4G will be the 14th ISRO
satellite to use the European launcher. Starting with the Apple experimental
satellite on Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace has orbited 13 Indian satellites
to date.
Weather and telecom services for India.
Insat 4G is
designed, assembled and integrated by ISRO. Weighing about 3,200 kg at launch,
it has payloads for communications, broadcasting and weather observation. Its
primary payload comprises 18 Ku-band transponders and a radio-navigation
module. Insat 4G's coverage zone includes the entire Indian
sub-continent.
Loyalty and confidence.
Commenting on this latest
selection, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said: "I would like
to thank the prestigious Indian space agency for their loyalty to Ariane and
Arianespace, stretching back over 25 years. This will be our 14th contract with
ISRO and will provide further recognition of the top-quality launch Service
& Solutions offered by Arianespace."
About
Arianespace
Arianespace is the world's leading launch Service &
Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its
customers for more than 25 years. Backed by 23 shareholders, including the
European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled launcher family,
comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned
for their culture of excellence. Arianespace has launched 246 satellites since
being founded, including more than 60% of the commercial satellites now in
service world-wide. It has a steady backlog of about 40 satellites to be
launched, equal to more than three years of operations.
(source:
Arianespace)