GSAT-8 put in its Orbit, says ISRO

BANGALORE:  Television viewers in the country will now be able to get clearer transmissions even during heavy rains, thanks to the recently launched advanced communication geostationary satellite GSAT-8 which entered the geosynchronous orbit on Wednesday.The satellite was put in the orbit from French Guiana by the ArianeV launch vehicle on May 21 and now has entered Geosynchronous orbit,located directly above the equator, exactly 22,300 miles out in space.GSAT-8 that is also equipped with the two-channel GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) system which will be boosting GPS signals to achieve accuracy of three metres and would provide greater assistance in civil aviation.Presently, GSAT8 is located at 47 degree East longitude and is being moved towards its final orbital position of 55 deg East where it will be colocated with INSAT3E satellite."In Orbit Testing (IOT) of 24 Kuband transponders of GSAT8 is scheduled to begin on June 1 and the satellite is expected to be ready for service in about a month. Testing of the GAGAN navigational payload will be conducted from the new Navigation Control Centre at Kundanahalli near Bangalore," said ISRO spokesperson B R Guruprasad.