Thirty five minutes after the lift-off (00.09 hrs IST) at Guyana Space Centre at Kourou in European Ariane-5 V198 launch vehicle, HYLAS separated from the launch vehicle after reaching its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit, an ISRO press release said.

ISRO's master control facility at Hassan in Karnataka successfully received radio signals transmitted by HYLAS (Highly Adaptable Satellite) and the satellite's health is normal, it said.

HYLAS, developed for Avanti Communications, UK, comprises 10 high power transponders that use eight Ka and two Ku band frequencies.

It is designed to deliver high-speed broadband services through its spot beams over Europe, the release said, adding that the HYLAS is expected to operate from 33.5 deg West longitude for European coverage.

The contract to build it was won in 2006 after stiff competition with leading manufacturers in USA and Europe through the strategic alliance worked out between Antrix/ISRO and M/s EADS Astrium of France, the space agency said.

The alliance was formed to jointly develop communication satellites with ISRO platforms and Astrium payloads and market these internationally.

HYLAS weighing 2,541 kg at lift-off is the heaviest satellite built by ISRO for I-2K bus and is capable of operating for over 15 years mission life as demanded by the customer. Its solar panels generate a maximum of about 3,200 watts of power.

Antrix/ISRO is also responsible for the post launch operations of HYLAS, being conducted from Hassan. The operations include firing of its Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) in three phases to place the satellite in geo-stationary orbit.

The first firing of LAM is scheduled early tomorrow, the release said.

earlier related report
ISRO-built communications satellite for Europe launched
Chennai, India (PTI) Nov 28, 2010 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)-built communication satellite HYLAS (Highly Adaptable Satellite) for EADS-Astrium of Europe was launched Saturday by an Ariane rocket from the Guyana Space Centre at Kourou in French Guyana.

According to ISRO, 35 minutes after the rocket lift-off, HYLAS was separated from the rocket at its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).

The 2,541-kg satellite developed for Avanti Communications, UK, has 10 high power transponders designed to deliver high-speed broadband services for Europe.

The satellite's life is estimated to be 15 years.

The contract for building the satellite was won in 2006 after competing along with other leading manufacturers of the US and Europe through the strategic alliance worked out between Antrix Corporation-ISRO's commercial arm, ISRO and EADS Astrium of France.

Antrix/ISRO is also responsible for the post-launch operations of HYLAS, which are being conducted from the Master Control Facility, Hassan.

The operations include firing of the satellite's liquid apogee motor (LAM) in three phases to place the satellite in geostationary orbit.

The first firing of LAM is scheduled for the early hours of Sunday.