
GSAT-12 was launched on July 15, 2011, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
The launch vehicle used for this mission was the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) D3.
GSAT-12 is an Indian communication satellite that provides communication services to remote and rural areas of India.
It has a mass of 1,410 kg and a design life of 12 years.
GSAT-12 has 12 C-band transponders that can transmit signals in the C-band frequency range.
Readers also liked: 1.2-centimeter Band
Mission Details
The GSAT-12 mission was scheduled for launch on July 15, 2011. This was the actual launch date, not just a planned one.
GSAT-12 had a planned operational life extending to around 7 years. This is a significant milestone for any satellite mission.
Here's a brief overview of the mission timeline:
GSAT-12 relied on Extended C-band to transmit navigation and system data to ground stations. This technology played a crucial role in the mission's success.
ISRO Mission Timeline
The ISRO GSAT-12 mission was scheduled to launch on July 15, 2011.
The launch date was a significant milestone in the mission's timeline.
ISRO had planned for GSAT-12 to have an operational life of Around 7 years.
Here's a breakdown of the mission's timeline:
Isro Mission Specs

The ISRO GSAT-12 mission was launched on July 15, 2011, via PSLV-C17.
The spacecraft was deployed into Geosynchronous Orbit at 83° East longitude.
GSAT-12 relied on Extended C-band to transmit navigation and system data to ground stations.
The spacecraft's lift-off mass was 1410 kg, using the I-1K bus.
GSAT-12 made use of key technologies such as Communication satellite technology.
Here's a summary of the spacecraft's technical specifications:
Collaboration and Impact
The GSAT-12 mission was a collaborative effort between ISRO and other stakeholders. ISRO participated in the planning and execution of the mission.
One of the key stakeholders involved was ISRO, who played a crucial role in the mission's success. This collaboration is a great example of how organizations can work together to achieve common goals.
The GSAT-12 mission had a significant impact on the communication services in India. Communication services (VSAT, DTH) were derived from payloads aboard GSAT-12, ensuring continuity of these services.
The mission's outputs are used in various civilian domains, including Tele-education, tele-medicine, and VSAT services. These services have a direct impact on people's lives, making a positive difference in their daily lives.
Here are some of the key applications of the GSAT-12 mission:
Stakeholders & Collaborators
In the context of the mission, there was only one agency involved in the planning and execution of the mission.
ISRO was the sole agency involved in the planning and execution of the mission.
Interestingly, there were no commercial partners or international partners involved in the mission.
Here is a breakdown of the stakeholders and collaborators involved in the mission:
Isro Mission Outputs & Impact
GSAT-12 is recognized for achieving ensured continuity of communication services, which is a significant output of the mission.
The mission's outputs are used in civilian domains, particularly in Tele-education, tele-medicine, and VSAT services.
Communication services such as VSAT and DTH were derived from payloads aboard GSAT-12, making it a crucial mission for civilians.
GSAT-12's outputs have applications in civilian life, including tele-education, tele-medicine, and VSAT services.
Here are some key applications of GSAT-12's outputs:
- Tele-education
- Tele-medicine
- VSAT services
The mission's impact on policy and global collaboration is not explicitly stated, but it does have strategic significance and policy alignment, particularly in communication services and societal applications.
The GSAT series of missions, including GSAT-12, are a follow-up to the mission, indicating its success and relevance.
Launch and Relevance
The GSAT-12 launch was a significant event in India's space program, marking the 18th straight success for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The launch took place on July 15, 2011, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota Island.
The PSLV configuration used for the launch included six strap-on motors, each carrying 12 metric tons of solid propellant. This configuration was chosen due to the PSLV's reliability and success in launching low Earth orbiting remote sensing satellites.
The GSAT-12 mission was a critical step in ensuring continuity of communication services, particularly in the face of two consecutive failures of the more powerful Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle in 2010.
Here are some key statistics about the GSAT-12 launch:
- Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C17
- Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
- Launch Date: July 15, 2011
India's PSLV Launches Telecom Satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its latest communications satellite, GSAT-12, aboard its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on July 15, 2011.
The launch took place at 4:48 p.m. local time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota Island off India's southeastern coast.
GSAT-12 was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit with a perigee of 284 kilometers and an apogee of 21,000 kilometers. The liquid-fueled apogee motor would be used to place the craft in a circular geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
The PSLV configuration used for the launch consisted of six strap-on motors, each carrying 12 metric tons of solid propellant.
This was the 18th straight success for the PSLV, which normally is used to launch low Earth orbiting remote sensing satellites.
Here is a summary of the launch vehicle specifications:
The GSAT-12 satellite had a planned operational life extending to around 7 years and was equipped with 12 extended C-band transponders to partly meet the country's growing demand for transponders in a short turnaround time.
The satellite was designed to provide communication services, including VSAT, DTH, and tele-education, tele-medicine services.
The mission was a significant achievement for ISRO, demonstrating its capability to launch satellites into geostationary orbit using the PSLV.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre

The Satish Dhawan Space Centre is a vital part of India's space program, located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. It's situated near the Bay of Bengal, which provides a unique environment for rocket launches.
The centre is named after Satish Dhawan, a renowned Indian space scientist who played a key role in India's space program. He was the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1972 to 1984.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre is home to the second launch pad, which has been used for several successful satellite launches. It's also been the site of several rocket failures, including the loss of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in 2010.
The centre has a strong focus on satellite launches, with many of its launches carrying communications satellites into orbit. These satellites provide critical communication services to India and other countries in the region.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre has a significant role in India's space program, with many of its launches contributing to the country's growth and development.
Recent Developments
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSat-12 communications satellite on July 15, 2011, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The PSLV configuration used for the launch had six strap-on motors, each carrying 12 metric tons of solid propellant, to place the 1,410-kilogram GSat-12 into a geostationary transfer orbit.
The GSat-12 satellite was equipped with 12 extended C-band transponders, which would partly meet India's growing demand for transponders in a short turnaround time.
ISRO chose the PSLV for the GSat-12 launch after two consecutive failures of its more powerful Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle in 2010.
The GSat-12 satellite has a design life of eight years and was placed in a circular geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
ISRO completed the post-mission disposal operation of the GSat-12 satellite on March 23, 2023, by raising its orbit above the geostationary altitude of 35,786 kilometers.
A series of seven manoeuvres were carried out to raise the orbit, followed by four inclination changing manoeuvres to spend the remaining propellant.

The final passivation manoeuvre was carried out to vent out the remaining fuel, and all rotating mechanisms, such as momentum wheels, reaction wheels, and gyros, were turned off.
The GSat-12 satellite is the 23rd GEO satellite to undergo post-mission disposal before decommissioning, and the operation was fully compliant with the IADC and UN space debris mitigation guidelines.
India's Telecommunications Satellite
India's GSat-12 telecommunications satellite was launched on July 15, 2011, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The launch was a success, marking the 18th straight success for the PSLV, which is normally used to launch low Earth orbiting remote sensing satellites.
GSat-12 is equipped with 12 extended C-band transponders, which will partly meet India's growing demand for transponders in a short turnaround time.
The satellite has a design life of eight years and will be co-located with ISRO's Insat-2E and Insat-4A satellites at 83 degrees longitude.
GSat-12's liquid-fueled apogee motor will be used to place the craft in a circular geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
Here's a summary of the launch:
The PSLV's dependability was a key factor in choosing it for this mission, especially after two consecutive failures of the more powerful Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle in 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GSAT full form?
GSAT stands for Geosynchronous Satellite, a series of communications satellites developed by India for broadcasting digital content.
Featured Images: pexels.com


