INSAT-4CR, a communications satellite successfully launched in India

India's Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F04) successfully launched the INSAT-4CR satellite on September 2, 2007 at 6:20 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR (SDSC SHAR), in Sriharikota. GSLV-F04 placed India's INSAT-4CR into a geo-synchronous transfer orbit (GTO). This was the fifth time GSLV has flown and was the fourth successful flight.

Soon after being released into GTO, INSAT-4CR automatically deployed its two solar arrays. The deployment of the arrays and the general functioning of the satellite were monitored by the ground station of the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command network (ISTRAC) located on the Indonesian island of Biak. The Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka took control of INSAT-4CR for all its post launch operations.

Subsequently, INSAT-4CR raised its orbit from GTO to the final geo-synchronous orbit (GSO) by firing its Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) in stages. In the fifth and final orbit-raising operation conducted by the Master Control Facility (MCF) on September 7, 2007, INSAT-4CR was successfully placed in a near geo-synchronous orbit. Subsequently, the two antennas of the satellite, which are used to transmit and receive messages, were successfully deployed and the satellite was put in its final three-axis stabilised mode on September 8, 2007.

The East reflector (antenna) was deployed on September 7, 2007 while the West reflector was deployed September 8, 2007. INSAT-4CR is expected to reach its final orbital position of 74° East by September 15, 2007.

After reaching its final orbital position, the satellite drift will be halted following which in-orbit testing of the payloads will be carried out. At a longitude of 74° East, INSAT-4CR will be co-located with INSAT-3C, KALPANA-1 and EDUSAT.

INSAT-4CR is the third satellite in the INSAT-4 series. It carries 12 high-power Ku-band transponders designed to provide direct-to-home (DTH) television services, Video Picture Transmission (VPT) and Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG).