Bad weather at Kourou has postponed the launch of GSAT-16 hours before it was to take off early morning on Friday. The new date will be known on Friday, an official said. The country's latest communication satellite was slated to be flown at 2.08 a.m. (IST) on December 5 on a European Ariane-5 rocket along with US satellite DIRECTV.
"The launch is postponed due to inclement weather conditions at Kourou, French Guiana," the space agency said in a web update. The French launch agency said it was putting off the launch due to unfavourable weather conditions ober the launvh paf at Kourou. ISRO has advanced GSAT-16 by about six months to meet various needs.
About GSAT-16:
Mass | 3181 kg |
Transponders | 24 C-band, 12 Ku and 12 extended C band |
Launcher | European Ariane VA 221 from Kourou, Fr. Guiana |
Orbital slot | 55 degrees East [with GSAt-8, IRNSS-1A & 1B) |
Life | 12 years |
Cost | Rs. 860 crore for assembly, launch fee & insurance |
