ISRO SIGNS ARIANESPACE FOR SATELLITE LAUNCH

The Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) has assigned the launch of the indigenously designed Insat 3B satellite in the second quarter of 1999 to commercial launch firm Arianespace. The satellite will be sent into space by either an Ariane 4 or 5 launch vehicle from Kourou in French Guiana.

Insat 3B has 17 C-band and three Ku-band transponders which can be used for telecom and broadcast services. The satellite will weigh 2,070 kg at lifoff.