| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | INSAT |
| COSPAR ID | 1982-031A |
| SATCATno. | 131300 |
| Mission duration | 7 years planned 5 months achieved |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | INSAT-1 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Aerospace |
| Launch mass | 1,152 kilograms (2,540 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 10 April 1982, 06:47 (1982-04-10UTC06:47Z) UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Delta 3910/PAM-D |
| Launch site | Cape CanaveralLC-17A |
| Contractor | NASA |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Abandoned |
| Deactivated | 6 September 1982 (1982-09-07) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 74° east |
| Semi-major axis | 42,158.98 kilometres (26,196.38 mi) |
| Eccentricity | 0.0012778 |
| Perigee altitude | 35,734 kilometres (22,204 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 35,841 kilometres (22,271 mi) |
| Inclination | 14.59 degrees |
| Period | 23.93 hours |
| Epoch | 10 November 2013, 12:38:56 UTC[2] |
INSAT-1B → | |
INSAT-1A was an Indiancommunications satellite which formed part of theIndian National Satellite System. Launched in 1982, it was operated ingeostationary orbit at a longitude of 74° east.[3] Following a series of failures, the satellite was abandoned in September 1982, less than six months into a seven-year mission.
Built byFord Aerospace and operated by theIndian National Satellite System,[3] INSAT-1A was based upon a customsatellite bus developed for theINSAT-1 series. It had a mass at launch of 1,152 kilograms (2,540 lb), and was expected to operate for 7 years. The spacecraft carried 12C and 3S band transponders, powered by a singlesolar array.[3]
NASA was contracted to launch INSAT-1A using aDelta 3910 rocket with aPAM-D upper stage. The launch occurred at 06:47 UTC on 10 April 1982, fromLaunch Complex 17A atCape Canaveral Air Force Station.[1] The satellite was successfully inserted intogeosynchronous transfer orbit, from which it raised itself intogeostationary orbit. It received theInternational Designator 1982-031A andSatellite Catalog Number 13129.[4]
Following launch, INSAT-1A had some initial problems deploying its antennas, solar array and stabilisation boom.[5] The C-band antenna could not be deployed for twelve days, and the solar array failed to extend fully, preventing the spacecraft generating enough power to conduct weather observation. The satellite's S-band transponders subsequently overheated and failed.[6] The stabilisation boom failed to deploy altogether.
Early in the satellite's mission a fault in a valve in its attitude control system was detected which caused the spacecraft to expend propellant at a greater rate than expected. On 4 September 1982 the satellite's primary Earth-tracking sensor was temporarily deactivated to protect the system while the Sun passed through its field of view. Owing to the failure of the stabilisation boom, the backup sensor was not oriented in the correct direction, instead being oriented towards the Moon, which overloaded it and shut down the sensor. The satellite exhausted its remaining propellant supply trying to regain Earth-lock, and was abandoned on 6 September.[5][6] Due to the sudden nature of its failure, INSAT-1A was not removed from geosynchronous orbit. As of 10 November 2013 it is in an orbit with aperigee of 35,734 kilometres (22,204 mi), anapogee of 35,841 kilometres (22,271 mi),inclination of 14.59 degrees and anorbital period of 23.93 hours.[2]
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