Bengaluru sources stated that the Indian Space Research Organization is all set to launch its 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 on Wednesday from the spaceport in French Guiana. Meanwhile the satellite with a mission life of 15 years will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites and augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit.
Furthermore in a statement, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said the satellite, weighing about 2,535 kg, is scheduled for launch on board the Ariane-5 (VA247) from Kourou in French Guiana. The agency said "The satellite GSAT-31 is configured on ISRO's enhanced I-2K Bus, utilizing the maximum bus capabilities of this type. The satellite derives its heritage from ISROs earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series and the satellite provides Indian mainland and island coverage".
Moreover ISRO also said the GSAT-31 will be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH television services, cellular back haul connectivity and many such applications. Apparently the satellite will also provide wide beam coverage to facilitate communication over large oceanic region comprising large part of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean using wide band transponder.
