GSAT-12 to be launched on PSLV launch vehicle

CHENNAI: ISRO has fallen back on its reliable workhorse, the PSLV, to meet the growing demand for satellite communications.GSAT-12 will become the first pure communications satellite to be launched on the PSLV launch vehicle, if it enters orbit on Friday.With four consecutive failures of its GSLV platform, ISRO has placed its bet on the same PSLV-XL variant that was used to launch the successful Chandrayaan-1 mission.The PSLV-C17, scheduled to lift off from Sriharikota at 4:48 pm, is expected to place the GSAT-12 into sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit, after which an on-board motor, called a Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM), will push it into a circular geostationary orbit.India’s satellite communication needs have been growing and ISRO has had to rely on foreign launch vehicles such as the Ariane to put its communications satellite in orbit. The GSLV, which had been developed by ISRO to reduce dependence on foreign launch vehicles, has been struggling, with not a single successful launch in the last four attempts.The last successful GSLV launch was in 2004.Once in its final intended orbit, GSAT-12 would be colocated with INSAT-2E and INSAT-4A. GSAT-12 is expected to fill in for INSAT- 3B, which is nearing the end of its mission life of 14 years.If successful, Friday’s launch would put 12 more transponders at ISRO’s disposal. The capacity added by GSAT-12 would augment the INSAT system’s services.