INSAT-1C

Mission type	Communication
Operator	INSAT
COSPAR ID	1988-063A
SATCAT no.	19330
Mission duration	7 years (planned) 13 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
Bus	I-1K
Manufacturer	Ford Aerospace
Launch mass	1,190 kilograms (2,620 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	21 July 1988
Rocket	Ariane 3
Launch site	Kourou ELA-2
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	93.5° East
Period	24 hours

INSAT-1C was the third in the first generation INSAT series of satellites (termed as INSAT-1) built by Ford Aerospace to satisfy the domestic communication requirement of India. The Govt. agencies using its services were All India Radio, Doordarshan, Department of Space and Indian Meteorological Department^[1]

INSAT-1C was launched from Guiana Space Centre in Kourou using Ariane 3 rocket on July 21, 1988. At launch, it had a mass of 1,190 kilograms (2,620 lb), and an expected operational lifespan of seven years. The satellite was positioned at 93.5° East longitude in geostationary orbit

INSAT-1C carried 3 payloads on board to provide communication services to Indian Meteorological Department, Department of Telecommunications and Department of Space:

• Very High Resolution scanning Radiometer (VHRR)
• 12 transponders operating in 2-phases (earth-to-satellite and vice versa).
• Data channel to send data for land based applications.^[2]

INSAT-1C mission was a success and lasted for about 13 years because the satellite got another 6 C-band transponders and 2 S-band transponders when a power system made one more bus^[3][4]

• 1988 in spaceflight

• isro.org : INSAT-1C