Watch Video: Indian satellite GSAT-18 launched at 2am, 24 hours after its initial launch time

The launch of India's latest communication satellite with 48 transponders that receive and transmit communication signals has been launched on October 6 from Kourou in French Guiana. “The launch was postponed by one day due to heavy cross winds,” a senior ISRO official said late on Tuesday night.

The Indian satellite GSAT-18 was launched at 2am on October 6, 24 hours after its initial launch time. The 3,404 kg Indian satellite GSAT-18 will be providing services in normal C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum. 

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The launch of the Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou (French Guiana) was scheduled to take place between 2 a.m. and 3.15 a.m. (India Time) on Wednesday. According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 

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The ISRO chief, who watched the launch from the mission control centre, left shortly after lift-off, and his message was read out later by one of his senior colleagues. ISRO said in the coming days, orbit raising manoeuvres will be performed to place GSAT-18 satellite in the Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) by using the satellite's propulsion system in steps. 

Two solar arrays and both the antenna reflectors of GSAT-18 will be deployed after the orbit raising, it said, adding, the satellite will be positioned at 74 deg East longitude in the geostationary orbit and will be co-located with the Indian operational geostationary satellites. 

Video Source (SpaceVids.tv)