10-03-2003, 12:16 AM
[url="http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Oct02_2003.htm"]http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Oct02_2003.htm[/url]
Quote:October 2, 2003
In the third and final stage of orbit-raising operation conducted on 1st October at 1:38 PM IST from Master Control Facility (MCF), Hassan, INSAT-3E was placed in near Geostationary Orbit (GSO). The manoeuvre was completed by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor on board the satellite for a duration of 3 mn, 6 secs. With this, the satellite has achieved an orbital period of 23 hours and 46 minutes and is continuously visible to MCF, Hassan. INSAT-3E is now moving towards its geostationary orbital slot with the planned drift rate of 2.3° per day. It is expected to reach its orbital slot of 55° East Longitude in the next ten days.
...