| Mission type | Communication Weather |
|---|---|
| Operator | INSAT |
| COSPAR ID | 1999-016A |
| SATCATno. | 25666 |
| Mission duration | 12 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | INSAT-2/3 |
| Manufacturer | ISRO |
| Launch mass | 2,550 kilograms (5,620 lb) |
| Power | 2,050 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2 April 1999, 22:03 UTC (1999-04-02UTC22:03Z) |
| Rocket | Ariane 42P |
| Launch site | KourouELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geosynchronous |
| Longitude | 83° East |
| Perigee altitude | 35,766 kilometres (22,224 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 35,806 kilometres (22,249 mi) |
| Inclination | 0.05 degrees |
| Period | 1436.06 minutes |
| Epoch | 2 May 1999[1] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 17 G/H band |
INSAT-2E is an Indian geostationarycommunications andweather satellite which is operated by theIndian National Satellite System.[2] It is positioned ingeostationary orbit at alongitude of 83° East, from where it is used to provide communications services toAsia and Australia. It also carries two meteorological instruments; theVery High Resolution Radiometer, and aCCD camera capable of returning images with a resolution of one kilometre.[3]
The communications payload aboard INSAT-2E consists of seventeen G/H band (IEEE C band)transponders.[2] At launch the satellite had a mass of 2,550 kilograms (5,620 lb), with an expected operational lifespan of 12 years.[4] Some of its transponders are leased toIntelsat, who operate them under the designationIntelsat APR-2.
INSAT-2E was launched byArianespace, using anAriane 42P carrier rocket flying fromELA-2 at theGuiana Space Centre. The launch occurred at 22:03 UTC on 2 April 1999.[5] Following launch, it raised itself intogeostationary orbit using liquid-fuelledapogee motor. Its final insertion burn occurred at 07:38 UTC on 8 April.[6] Following insertion, it was positioned at alongitude of 83° East.
INSAT-2E is using ultra-light Magnesium-lithium alloys developed byDMRL.The Magnesium-lithium sheets were supplied to ISAC, Bangalore center.[7]