INSAT-2DT, previously Arabsat-1C and also known as INSAT-2R, was a Saudi Arabian and subsequently Indian communications satellite which was operated initially by Arabsat, and then by the Indian National Satellite System.
Launch and Arabsat service
Launched in 1992 as Arabsat-1C, it was operated at 31° East longitude in geostationary orbit,[1] from where it was used to provide communication services to the Arab States. It was constructed by Aérospatiale, based on the Spacebus 100 satellite bus, and carried two NATO E/F-band (IEEE S band) and 25 NATO G/H-Band (IEEE C band) transponders. At launch, it had a mass of 1170 kg, and an expected operational lifespan of seven years.[2]
It was launched by Arianespace using an Ariane 4 rocket in the 44L configuration, flying from ELA-2 at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou. The launch took place at 22:58:10 UTC on 26 February 1992.[3] It was the final Spacebus 100 satellite to be launched.
Indian operations
In November 1997, Arabsat-1C was sold to India as INSAT-2DT.[4] In December, it was moved to a new slot at 55°E longitude, where it replaced the INSAT-2D satellite which had failed in orbit.[5] It remained at 55°E until August 2003, when it was moved to 85.2°E, arriving in November.[6] By the time of its departure from 55°E, its orbital inclination had increased somewhat.
INSAT-2DT remained at 85.2°E until October 2004, when it was retired from service and placed into a graveyard orbit.[6]
See also
- 1992 in spaceflight
References
- Mark Wade. Arabsat Encyclopedia Astronautica, retrieved 2009-07-05^
- Gunter Krebs. Arabsat 1A, 1B, 1C / Insat 2DT Gunter's Space Page, retrieved 2009-07-05^
- Jonathan McDowell. Launch Log Jonathan's Space Page, retrieved 2009-07-05^
- Arabsat 1C TSE, retrieved 2009-07-05^
- INSAT-2D TSE, retrieved 2009-07-05^
- INSAT-2R TSE, retrieved 2009-07-05^