INSAT-4A
{{Short description|Communications satellite}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = INSAT 4A
| image = Render of INSAT-4A spacecraft in deployed configuration.jpg
| image_caption = INSAT-4A spacecraft in deployed configuration
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = INSAT
| website = [http://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/insat-4a INSAT 4A]
| COSPAR_ID = 2005-049A
| SATCAT = 28911
| mission_duration = Planned: 12 years
Achieved: {{time interval|22 December 2005|21 October 2019|show=ymd|sep=,}}
| spacecraft_bus = I-3K
| manufacturer = ISRO
| dry_mass = {{convert|1386|kg|lb}}{{cite web |title=Salient features of INSAT-4A |url=https://www.ursc.gov.in/communication/html/insat-4a.jsp |access-date=28 October 2019 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028121946/https://www.ursc.gov.in/communication/html/insat-4a.jsp |url-status=dead }}
| launch_mass = {{convert|3081|kg|lb}}
| power = 5,922 watts
| dimensions = 2.8 x 1.7 x 2.0 m
| launch_date = {{start-date|21 December 2005, 22:33|timezone=yes}} UTC
| launch_rocket = Ariane 5GS
| launch_contractor = Arianespace
| entered_service =
| disposal_type = Moved to a graveyard orbit
| deactivated = {{end-date|21 October 2019}}{{cite web |title=Historical satellite position data for INSAT-4A for the month of October 2019 |url=https://www.satellite-calculations.com/Satellite/getpositionhistory.php?28911?archive/2019/October/2019_October_ |access-date=28 October 2019}}
| orbit_epoch =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric
| orbit_regime = Geostationary
| orbit_periapsis =
| orbit_apoapsis =
| orbit_inclination =
| orbit_period = 24 hours
| orbit_longitude =
| orbit_slot = 83° East ({{coord|0|+83|display=inline,title}})
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 12 Ku band
12 C-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth = 36 megahertz
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage =
| trans_TWTA = 140 & 63 watts
| trans_EIRP = 51 & 38 dbW
| trans_HPBW =
}}
INSAT-4A was the first one in the INSAT-4 Satellites series, providing services in the Ku and C band frequency bands. At the time of launch, it was the heaviest satellite India had produced. The Ku transponders cover the Indian main land and C-Band transponders cover an extended area. It has a dozen Ku transponders and another dozen of C-band transponders. This spacecraft was placed at 83°E along with INSAT-2E and INSAT-3B, by Ariane launch vehicle (ARIANE5-V169).{{Cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/insat-4a.htm|title = Insat 4A, 4B}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/insat-4a|title=Insat-4A - Isro|access-date=2017-01-29|archive-date=2015-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927183246/http://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/insat-4a|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |title=SALIENT FEATURES OF INSAT-4A |url=http://www.isac.gov.in/communication/html/insat-4a.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915154159/http://www.isac.gov.in/communication/html/insat-4a.jsp |archive-date=15 September 2015 |access-date=2020-01-16 |website=www.ursc.gov.in}}{{Cite web |title=Space India, October 2005 - March 2006 |url=https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/pdf/ResourcesPdf/SpaceIndia/publication(7).pdf}}
Overview
INSAT-4A was a communication satellite intended for providing high quality television, telecommunication, broadcasting services and was the first satellite to be launched in the INSAT-4 series.
Launch
INSAT-4A was launched by an Ariane 5, produced by Arianespace, on 21 Dec 2005 at 22.33 UTC{{Cite web |title=Ariane: 5 for 5 in 2005, Successful launch of Insat 4A and MSG-2 |url=https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/ariane-5-for-5-in-2005-successful-launch-of-insat-4a-and-msg-2/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=Arianespace |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2006-05-07 |title=INSAT-4A Launched Successfully |url=http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Dec22_2005.htm |access-date=2022-12-20 |archive-date=2006-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060507174609/http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Dec22_2005.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }} from Kourou, French Guiana. It was placed into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), 30 minutes after lift-off in 3-axis stabilized mode, with a perigee of 859 km and an apogee of 36,055 km. Its co-passenger on board was Meteosat-9 of EUMETSAT.
Payload
- 12 Ku band transponders. It was being used by Tata Sky.
- 12 C-band transponders
End Of Life and Replacement
The satellite was placed in the graveyard orbit on 21 October 2019 after almost 14 years in service. A replacement satellite GSAT-30 was launched on 21:05 UTC, 16 January 2020 aboard Ariane 5 VA251.{{Cite web|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/update/17-jan-2020/press-release-india%E2%80%99s-communication-satellite-gsat-30-launched-successfully|title=Press Release: India's communication satellite GSAT-30 launched successfully - ISRO|website=www.isro.gov.in|access-date=2020-01-16|archive-date=2020-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530144810/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/17-jan-2020/press-release-india%E2%80%99s-communication-satellite-gsat-30-launched-successfully|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/flight-va251-first-arianespace-mission-of-2020-a-success-eutelsat-konnect-and-gsat-30-in-orbit/|title=Flight VA251 – first Arianespace mission of 2020 a success: EUTELSAT KONNECT and GSAT-30 in orbit|website=Arianespace|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}{{Commons category}}{{INSAT Satellites}}
{{Indian spacecraft}}
{{Orbital launches in 2005}}
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2005