METSAT — First Orbit Raising Manoeuvre Completed

The Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) on board the METSAT, which was launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) yesterday (September 12, 2002) from Satish Dhawan Space Center-SHAR, Sriharikota, was successfully fired for 31 minutes 48 seconds at 7:05 a.m. this morning (September 13) by commanding the satellite from the Master Control Facility at Hassan.

With this first manoeuvre, METSAT is now orbiting the Earth with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 12,100 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 34,500 km. The inclination of the orbit has been reduced from 17.67 degree at the time of injection to 5 degree. The orbital period is now 14 hours 10 minutes. The orbital manoeuvre conducted this morning was highly successful and the intended intermediate orbit has been precisely realised.

Few more orbital manoeuvres will be required before the satellite is finally placed in geostationary orbit and moved to its designated slot at 74 degree East longitude in that orbit. The operations are likely to be completed in the next few days.

All the systems on board the satellite are functioning normally.