Ariane Wins Launch of Two Insat Satellites

India has selected Ariane to launch Insat 3A and Insat 3C. Insat 3A is scheduled to be launched in late 2001 or early 2002 for US$74 million. Insat 3E will be launched in the second half of 2002 for US$70 million. The satellites were originally scheduled to be launched by India's GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), but it is running behind schedule.

India’s first GSLV launch has been delayed until at least February 2001. The first GSLV launch will place the 1600kg GSat 1 satellite into GTO. Carrying two high-power S-band transponders and three C-band transponders, Gsat 1 will be used to demonstrate digital sound broadcasting, as well as providing internet services, distance education, developmental communications and compressed digital TV services. ISRO (India Space Research Organization) plans to launch one GSLV per year, with an estimated price of US$35-45 million.

Insat 3B was launched on an Ariane in March 2000, and Insat 3C is currently manifested on another Ariane launch in 2001. No launch system has been selected yet for Insat 3D.  

SPACEandTECH Digest is a weekly roundup of the latest industry news of interest to the space professional. SPACEandTECH Flash! is an internet push service offered by Andrews Space & Technology to bring the latest on orders, launches, and important breaking news to your desktop. SPACEandTECH Digest and SPACEandTECH Flash! are part of the Andrews Space & Technology www.spaceandtech.com website, a website designed to serve the information needs of the space industry.

If you would like to subscribe to the SPACEandTECH Flash! (currently a free service), contact the www.spaceandtech.com Editor-in-Chief, Joe Hopkins, at editor@spaceandtech.com