India to launch communication satellite GSAT-12 on July 15

New Delhi, July 9(ANI): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch communication satellite GSAT-12 on July 15, Chairman K. Radhakrishnan said today in Bangalore.

"The countdown would start on July 13 at 12.18 hours (Indian Standard Time). The countdown for the PSLV is 15.13 hours and lift-off is scheduled on July 15 between 16.48 and 17.08 hours," Radhakrishnan said.

He also noted that the communication satellites are already positioned at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre/Sri Harikota Range/(SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh.

"The PSLV-C17 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) vehicle and GSAT-12 Communication Satellite are at Sriharikota. The satellite has been integrated with the vehicle. The total electric testing of the vehicle with the satellite has been carried out," Radhakrishnan said.

He also mentioned that Dr. V S Hegde, a veteran remote sensing applications scientist, has been appointed as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Antrix Corporation Limited, the commercial arm of the ISRO.

"From the value transfer that they are doing at the moment, the possibility of value creation by Antrix is one agenda in front of Dr. Hegde. How to improve the technology transfer process from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to non-space application is another major activity that he would be undertaking," he said.

The satellite, with a mass of 1410 kg at lift-off, has 12 extended C-band transponders. (ANI)