ISRO decommissions communication satellite INSAT-4B, after 14 years of service

Amid the growing concern over junk in outer space, the Indian Space & Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully disposed of one of its satellites after it completed its operational life in orbit. The INSAT-4B underwent Post Mission Disposal (PMD) at the end of its service, followed by decommissioning on January 24, ISRO said in a statement.

“INSAT-4B is the 21st Indian Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite to undergo post-mission disposal, the required propellant for such re-orbiting was included in the initial fuel budget as a part of standard practice followed in ISRO’s GEO mission planning,” the agency said,

The disposal was a part of India’s continual efforts towards preservation of the long-term sustainability of outer space, it said.

The decommissioning of the satellite was to comply with the UN and the Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) recommended space debris mitigation guidelines.

Source: India Today

NSAT–4B was the second in the INSAT 4 series of spacecrafts and was configured with exclusive communication payloads to provide services in Ku and C frequency bands. It was co-located with INSAT–3A at 93.5 o E longitude.

INSAT-4B is the 21st Indian GEO satellite to undergo post-mission disposal, the required propellant for such re-orbiting having been included in the initial fuel budget as a part of standard practice followed in ISRO’s GEO mission planning, the agency said.

The finally achieved orbit is about 340 km above GEO altitude in perfect compliance with IADC guidelines for space debris mitigation of GEO objects.

“The successful post-mission disposal of INSAT-4B through meticulous planning and flawless execution marks yet another endeavour by ISRO to ensure the safety and sustainability of outer space operations,” it said.

CT Bureau