INSAT-4B

INSAT-4B
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorINSAT
COSPAR ID2007-007A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.30793
Mission durationPlanned: 12 years
Duration: 14 years, 10 months, 13 days
Spacecraft properties
BusI-3K
ManufacturerISRO
Launch mass3,028 kilograms (6,676 lb)
Dry mass1,335 kilograms (2,943 lb)
Power5,859 W[1]
Start of mission
Launch date11 March 2007, 22:03 (2007-03-11UTC22:03Z) UTC[2]
RocketAriane 5ECA
Launch siteKourou ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
Deactivated24 January 2022 (2022-01-25)[3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude85.5° E (relocated on 20 Feb 2020)

83° E (relocated on 12 Oct 2019)
111.2° E (relocated on 18 Dec 2017)

93.48° E (till 11 Nov 2017)
Semi-major axis42,163.57 kilometres (26,199.23 mi)
Eccentricity0.0003909
Perigee altitude35,776 kilometres (22,230 mi)
Apogee altitude35,809 kilometres (22,251 mi)
Inclination0.07 degrees
Period23.93 hours
Epoch11 November 2013, 22:16:22 UTC[4]

INSAT-4B was an Indian communications satellite which forms part of the Indian National Satellite System. Launched in 2007, it was placed in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 93.48° East.[5]

Built by the Indian Space Research Organisation, INSAT-4B is based upon the I-3K satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of 3,028 kilograms (6,676 lb), with a dry mass of 1,335 kilograms (2,943 lb) and was expected to operate for twelve years. Two solar arrays power the satellite, while its communications payload consists of twelve C and twelve Ku band transponders.[6]

Arianespace was contracted to launch INSAT-4B using an Ariane 5 ECA carrier rocket. The launch occurred on 11 March 2007 at 22:03 UTC, from ELA-3 at Kourou.[2] The Skynet 5A military communications satellite for the British Ministry of Defence was launched aboard the same rocket.

INSAT-4B was successfully inserted into geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which it raised itself into geostationary orbit using a liquid-fuelled apogee motor.[6] It received the International Designator 2007-007A and Satellite Catalog Number 30793.[7] As of 11 November 2013, it is in an orbit with a perigee of 35,776 kilometres (22,230 mi), an apogee of 35,809 kilometres (22,251 mi), inclination of 0.07 degrees and an orbital period of 23.93 hours.[4]

  1. ^ "INSAT-4B". ISRO. 7 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference PMD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b "INSAT 4B Satellite details 2007-007A NORAD 30793". N2YO. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  5. ^ "UCS Satellite Database". Union of Concerned Scientists. 1 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  6. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "Insat 4A, 4B". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  7. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 November 2013.