INSAT-4C

INSAT-4C was an Indian communications satellite which was lost in a launch failure in 2006. Had it reached orbit, it would have formed part of the Indian National Satellite System. Launched in 2007, it was intended to have operated in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 73.97° east. The INSAT-4CR satellite, launched in September 2007, replaced it.[2]

INSAT-4C
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorINSAT
Mission duration10 years planned
Failed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
BusI-2K
ManufacturerISRO
Launch mass2,168 kilograms (4,780 lb)
Dry mass950 kilograms (2,090 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date10 July 2006, 12:08 (2006-07-10UTC12:08Z) UTC[1]
RocketGSLV Mk.I
Launch siteSatish Dhawan SLP
ContractorISRO
 

Built by the Indian Space Research Organisation, INSAT-4C was based upon the I-2K satellite bus. It had a dry mass of 950 kilograms (2,090 lb), or 2,168 kilograms (4,780 lb) when fully fuelled. It was expected to have operated for ten years. The satellite carried twelve Ku band transponders, with two solar arrays to generate power.[3]

ISRO launched INSAT-4C on the second operational flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, which was flying in the Mk.I configuration. The launch took place from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre; the first time the pad was used by a GSLV.[4] Liftoff occurred at 12:08 UTC on 10 July 2006.[1] Early in the flight a thrust controller in one of the four liquid rocket boosters failed,[5] resulting in the booster cutting off shortly afterwards.[6] Approximately 55 seconds after launch[7] the vehicle veered off-course and began to disintegrate.[8] The range safety officer subsequently commanded the remainder of the rocket to self-destruct.

References
  1. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  2. "UCS Satellite Database". Union of Concerned Scientists. 1 September 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  3. Krebs, Gunter. "Insat 4A, 4B". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  4. Bergin, Chris (10 July 2006). "India's Insat 4C launch – vehicle explodes". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  5. Kyle, Ed. "GSLV". Space Launch Report. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  6. Clark, Stephen (10 July 2006). "Indian rocket launch ends in failure soon after liftoff". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  7. Clark, Stephen (2 September 2007). "India's large satellite launcher returns to flight". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  8. "Key Indian satellite launch fails". BBC News. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
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