New Delhi, February 5:┬аArianespace, a European space agency, will launch India's 40th┬аcommunication satellite GSAT-31 early on Wednesday┬аfrom French Guiana. This will be the first launch of the planned 12 missions for 2019 by┬аArianespace, the agency said in a statement.┬аGSAT-31, along with┬аSaudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4, is scheduled for launch onboard Ariane-5 launch vehicle.

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),┬аGSAT-31 is configured on ISROтАЩs enhanced I-2K Bus and┬аwould augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in geostationary orbit.┬аWeighing about 2535 kg, GSAT-31 will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites, the agency said. The satellite┬аwill provide communications services in Ku-band for at least 15 years.┬аISRO Unveils Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru.

GSAT-31┬аwill be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH television services, cellular backhaul connectivity and more, said ISRO. The satellite also provides wide beam coverage using a wide brand transponder. The two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted by the satellite for ground tracking purpose, it added.┬аISRO Young Scientist Programme: Kids Will Learn How to Build Small Satellites.

According to┬аArianespace, the┬аSaudi Geostationary Satellite 1 communications payload will provide advanced Ka-band spot beam communications services for the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaтАЩs KACST, including secure communications for the Gulf Cooperative Council region.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 05, 2019 07:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).