Chennai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will send GSAT-31 as a replacement satellite in place of the aging INSAT-4CR, set to retire soon.

The spaceward journey of GSAT-31 will be onboard Ariane-5 (VA-247) from the spaceport in French Guiana, on February 6.

The Ariane-5 lift-off is scheduled at 2:31 am (IST) with the mission expected to last for 42 minutes and 27 seconds. The launch proceedings will end at 3:32 am (IST).

Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace said the agency is all set for the maiden mission of 2019 from Kourou launch base.

He said the launch readiness review has cleared Ariane-5 for its lift-off with GSAT-31 and Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4.

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Ariane 5 will deliver a total payload lift performance of 10,018 kg during the mission.

When INSAT-4C finally goes inactive, it would have served India close to 12 years undertaking various communication missions.

 G-Sat31 set for launch onboard Arine-5 on Feb 6
GSAT-31 being loaded into Thermovac Chamber.

ISRO said GSAT-31, weighing about 2,535 kilogram, will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites, including INSAT-4C.

With an expected life span of 15 years, G-SAT-31 will augment Ku-band transponder capacity in Geo Stationary Orbit.

The satellite is configured on ISRO’s enhanced I-2K Bus, utilising the maximum bus capabilities of this type.

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GSAT-31 will propel VSAT networks, television uplinks, satellite news channels, DTH services and cellular connectivity to name a few.

Major parts of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean Region will benefit from the satellite.

 G-Sat31 set for launch onboard Arine-5 on Feb 6
Vibration test of GSAT-31 in progress.

On December 5 last year, GSAT-11 was successfully launched from French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-246.

ISRO’s maiden launch of 2019 was on January 25 from Sriharikota when Kalamsat-V2, world’s lightest and first 3D-printed satellite was injected into its designated orbit by PSLV-C44.

Microsat-R, an imaging satellite with test payloads from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), too was placed in its orbit.

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GSAT-31 is the 40th communication satellite of India. The ISRO team for the launch at French Guiana is headed by Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Director S Pandian. ISRO's Scientific Secretary R Umamaheswaran too is part of the team along with other officials.

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