Communication satellite GSAT-31 successfully launched from Kourou

Surjit kumar Dhal, Bengaluru, Feb 6: Communication satellite GSAT-31 was launched successfully by Arianespace’s rocket from Ariane Launch Complex at Kourou in  French Guiana in the early hours on Wednesday..31 am (IST).

According to ISRO sources, the GSAT-31 is a “high power” communication satellite with Ku-band. It is going to serve and replace some of the satellites that are going to expire soon.

The Ariane-5 vehicle (Flight VA247) also carried Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 along with GSAT-31.

The Ariane-5 vehicle injected GSAT-31 into the orbit in a flawless flight lasting nearly 42 minutes.

Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) Director S Pandian congratulated the team for successful launch and precise injection of satellite into the orbit.

ISRO said during the final stages of its orbit raising operations, the antenna reflector of GSAT-31 will be deployed, and following this, the satellite will be put in its final orbital configuration.