spacetoday.net: Indian satellite reaches final orbit after glitch

Posted: Fri, Aug 2, 2013, 8:29 AM ET (1229 GMT)
INSAT-3D illustration (ISRO)

A recently-launched Indian satellite entered geosynchronous orbit this week after a suffering a potentially serious problem after launch. The INSAT-3D satellite was placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 on July 25. During orbit-raising maneuvers by the satellites, the spacecraft suffered what ISRO called "anomalous behavior" after deploying its solar panel. Indian publications report the spacecraft lost communications with the ground and started to spin up. Engineers were able to restore communications with the spacecraft and restore normal operations, but it was unclear if the spacecraft suffered any permanent damage from the anomaly. The 2,060-kilogram satellite carries advanced meteorological instruments.