GSAT-11 - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3 - Q2 2018

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-anomaly-in-gsat-11-will-fix-launch-date-isro/articleshow/64250360.cms

No anomaly in Gsat-11, will fix launch date: Isro

Surendra Singh| TNN | Updated: May 21, 2018, 04:43 IST



NEW DELHI: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has found no anomaly in its heaviest satellite Gsat-11 weighing over 5.7 tonnes, which it had recalled from the European spaceport some time back to look for any potential glitch.

Talking to TOI, Isro chairman K Sivan said, "All the tests on Gsat-11 at Bengaluru's ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) are over. We have found no anomaly. We are in the process of discussion with Arianespace to fix the next launch date for our satellite." Earlier, the Isro chief had told TOI that all tests would be completed by May 17.

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Isro had postponed the launch of Gsat-11 initially planned on May 25 from the European spaceport as it did not want to take chances with its heaviest satellite especially after the signal failure episode with Gsat-6A. Communication satellite Gsat-6A, which was successfully launched from Sriharikota on March 29, went out of control during the third orbit-raising manoeuvre in space when the signal with the satellite got abruptly snapped because of suspected power failure. The space agency since then has been trying to restore the communication link with Gsat-6A though it knows its exact location through the satellite-tracking system.

Isro is launching Gsat-11 from the European spaceport in French Guiana as its own GSLV Mk III rocket can only lift a satellite weighing not more than four tonnes.

High-throughput satellite Gsat-11, which carries 40 transponders in Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies, is capable of "providing high bandwidth connectivity" with up to 14 gigabit per second data transfer speed. The heavy-duty satellite is so massive that each solar panel is over four metres long, equivalent to the size of a room. The satellite will usher in high-speed internet connectivity, especially in rural India.

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https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/07/03/arianespace-aims-for-busy-second-half-of-2018/

Arianespace aims for busy second half of 2018
July 3, 2018 | Stephen Clark

Europe's first mission to Mercury, a quartet of Galileo navigation spacecraft, a global winds observatory, and a new European weather satellite have arrived at an equatorial launch base in French Guiana in preparation for launches in the coming months.

The set of European missions are set to ride into space aboard four rockets, amid several more commercial flights carrying communications satellites to orbit, in what is shaping up to be a busy second half of the year for Arianespace, the French company which oversees Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega launch operations at the European-run spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The rapid-fire launch campaigns are already underway at the space center on the northeastern coast of South America, where technicians are preparing rocket and satellite hardware for liftoff.

Arianespace still finalizing end-of-year launch manifest

More space missions are being readied for launch from French Guiana by the end of the year, but officials have not announced firm launch dates.

Up to two additional Ariane 5 flights, each carrying a pair of satellites into geostationary transfer orbit, could blast off by the end of 2018.

India's GSAT 11 communications satellite, now declared ready for liftoff after being bumped from its original launch, is one candidate for pairing on an Ariane 5 mission late this year. Other satellites contracted to Arianespace that could launch in the final quarter of 2018 include South Korea's GEO-Kompsat 2A geostationary weather observatory, the Eutelsat 7C broadcasting payload, and Saudi Arabia's Hellas-Sat 4/SaudiGeoSat 1 communications craft.

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https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/isro-to-launch-numerous-rockets-around-years-end-5263157/

ISRO to launch four rockets by 2018 end

In September ISRO will fly a PSLV rocket with two foreign satellites, earning revenue for the country.
By: IANS | Chennai | Updated: July 17, 2018 3:55:14 pm

... The GSAT-11 satellite, which had been recalled from Arianespace's rocket port in French Guiana for further tests, is also expected to be put into orbit by Arianespace's rocket Ariane by the year end, the official said.
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Queried about the 5.8-ton GSAT-11, a communication satellite that was recalled from French Guiana this April, Sivan said: "We expect the satellite to be launched before the end of this year. Discussions with Arianespace are on regarding the time and date of the satellite launch."

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/isros-heaviest-sat-launch-from-french-guiana-on-nov-30-sivan/articleshow/65285238.cms

Isro's heaviest sat launch from French Guiana on Nov 30: Sivan

Surendra Singh | TNN | Updated: Aug 6, 2018, 08:26 IST

NEW DELHI: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch its heaviest satellite Gsat-11 weighing over 5.7 tonnes from the European spaceport in French Guiana on November 30.

The communications satellite, which will help increase internet speed in the country, was earlier this year recalled from French Guiana in order to check for possible glitches. Isro felt the need to take the unusual step of recalling the satellite in April as a precaution especially after the failure of the Gsat-6A satellite mission around the same time.

The communications satellite went out of control and signal from it was lost soon after its launch on March 29 and two orbit-raising manoeuvres. Based on the advice of its senior scientists and experts, Isro not only recalled Gsat-11 from the European launchpad but also checked all components of the heaviest satellite, including the electrical circuit. Talking to TOI, Isro chairman K Sivan said, "After a series of negotiations, Arianespace has finally agreed to launch Gsat-11 this year itself and fix November 30 as the date of the launch."