![Indian communication satellite GSAT-31 set for launch today](http://media.assettype.com/english-sentinelassam%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2F01gsat-31undergoingcatftest.jpeg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Chennai: All is set for the launch of India’s 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 early on Wednesday by an Ariane 5 rocket belonging to Arianespace, said the European space agency. In a statement, Arianespace said the launch will be the first of the planned 12 missions in 2019 using its heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega rockets.
The Ariane 5 rocket will carry two satellites - Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 and the GSAT-31.
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the 2,535-kg GSAT-31 is the 40th communication satellite and would augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in geostationary orbit. The ISRO said GSAT-31, with a mission life of 15 years, will be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH television services, cellular backhaul connectivity and more. The two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted by the satellite for ground tracking purpose, it said. (IANS)
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