i. India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-18 was successfully launched by a heavy duty rocket of Ariane space from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana.
ii. Weighing 3404 kg at lift-off, GSAT-18 carries 48 communication transponders to provide Services in Normal C-band, Upper Extended C-band and Ku bands of the frequency spectrum. GSAT-18 carries Ku-band beacon as well to help in an accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite.
iii. GSAT-18 was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by Ariane-5 VA-231 launch vehicle.
iv. The spacecraft and launch service cost about US$153 million.