INSAT-3E Launch Delayed
INSAT-3E, which was scheduled for launch by the European launch vehice, Ariane, from Kourou, French Guyana on September 3, 2003, is now delayed because of the need to retest a few components of the communication payload. The retests have become necessary in view of a quality alert received from the manufacturer of these components.
INSAT-3E will be ready in three to four weeks. Arianespace will finalise the new launch window based on the requirements of SMART-1 of European Space Agency and e-Bird of EUTELSAT, which are also to be launched along with INSAT-3E on board the 162nd flight of Ariane.
The 2,750 kg INSAT-3E, the fourth spacecraft in the INSAT-3 series, will carry 24 C-band transponders and 12 extended C-band transponders. The spacecraft was transported to Kourou on July 16, 2003.
