CHENNAI: Three days after GSLV-MKIII lifted off with GSAT-29, the heaviest satellite to be launched from Indian soil, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists moved the throughput communication satellite to its final geostationary orbit on Saturday. 

ISRO officials said the communication satellite would be operational by Monday after undergoing a series of tests conducted from the ground station.

ISRO said, “The third and final orbit raising operation of GSAT-29 satellite was successfully carried out today (November 17, 2018) by firing the liquid apogee motor (LAM) engine of the satellite at 9.57 am for a duration of 207 seconds.”

The satellite is in its final geostationary orbit and three axis stabilisation manoeuvres of the satellite were in progress. Both solar arrays and reflector of GSAT-29 had been deployed successfully, the agency added.

GSLV-MkIII, powered by indigenous cryogenic engine in its upper stage, lifted off in its second developmental flight on November 14 to inject GSAT-29 in the geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite is set to improve communication requirements in remote areas of the country as well as to enhance internet speed.

A day after the launch, ISRO scientists fired the liquid apogee motor engine in the satellite for the first orbit raising operation for a duration of 4875 seconds (1.35 hours) at 8.34 am on November 15.

The next day, the engine was fired again for the second time for a duration of 4988 seconds (1.38 hours) at 10.27 am, as part of the second orbit raising operation.