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INSAT-3E launched

The Ariane rocket carrying the Indian communication satellite INSAT-3E lifts off from Kaorou French Guyana on Sunday. — PTI photo

Bangalore, September 28
India's advanced communication satellite INSAT-3E was successfully launched by an European rocket from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana early today, giving a boost to telecom and television services.

The European consortium Arianespace's Ariane 5 launcher lofted a trio of payloads — INSAT-3E, e-BIRD for Europe's Eutelsat and SMART-1 for the European Space Agency — in an intricate multi-sequence mission.

The 162nd flight of Ariane 5 soared majestically in an excellent weather at 4.44 am IST, leaving a trail of orange flames in its wake and completed the 13th mission of the launch vehicle, telecast live by Doordarshan.

The fourth satellite in the INSAT series, the spacecraft is equipped with 24 normal C-band and 12 extended C-band transponders, swelling the present capacity of nearly 95 transponders in the five already operational INSAT satellites.

The 2,775 kg INSAT-3E has an operational lifetime of 15 years. INSAT system is the mainstay for communication and broadcasting in the country. — PTI