Rediff On The NeT: MCF moving Insat 2D into final position

MCF moving Insat 2D into final position

Scientists at the master control facility at Hassan in Karnataka are conducting a series of manoeuvres to put the Insat-2D satellite, launched by the Ariane launcher early on Wednesday, to its final slot on 74 degree east longitude.

The Ariane rocket put the satellite into a standard geostationary transfer orbit that comes closest to earth at about 200 km and is farthest at 35786 km. Later, using motors to redirect it, the satellite will be moved into its final orbit.

The satellite, launched 19 minutes after lift-off, had switched on mainframe systems like the sun sensors at the time of the launch. The launch vehicle will orient the satellite to the desired direction to ensure its stability.

The MCF at Hassan took control of the satellite after the Ariane vehicle sent all-clear signals 28 minutes after launch. Insat-2D is the fifth satellite being handled by the MCF after it was made operational in 1983. The other earth stations at Clarksberg in the United States, Perth in Australia and Fucino in Italy provided network support to the MCF during the launch phase.

A command sequence initiated by a signal from the launch vehicle used small rockets to propel the satellite and an automatic attitude holding system to help it maintain position. The Hassan MCF gained radio visibility of the satellite within 10 minutes of it going into transfer orbit.

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