Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) carrying GSAT- 12 communication satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. T.K. Anuradha is the project directior of this PSLV mission. PSLV-C17 & GSAT-12 was designed and developed at ISRO Satellite centre in Bangalore at a cost of 200 crore. ISRO successfully launched PSLV-C16 in April, 2011.    Quiz question: Who is the first woman to head a space mission in ISRO history. Ans: T.K. Anuradha (Bangalore).  Total number of ISRO transponders: 187. GSAT-10 with 30 transponders will be launched in April, 2012.  ISRO so far used PSLVs 19 times even though debut launch in 1993 was a failure. This is 18th succeessful launch using PSLV.  GSAT-12 Satellite information:   Weight of GSAT-12 satellite: 1410 kg  Gsat is carrying 12 expanded C-Band transponders. C-Band spectrum is used to lauch high speed broadband services.  Words of the day:   Perigee: Nearest point of Satellite to earth) & Apogee: Farthest point of Satellite from the earth. GSAT-12 Satellite perigee is 282-km and apogee is 21,000 km.  PSLV: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle & GSLV: Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.  ISRO will launch next moon mission (Chandrayaan) in 2014 at a cost of 425 crore.  ISRO Chief K. Radhakrishnan and other scientists expressed happiness after launching GSAT-12 successfully. When will ISRO achieve this kind of success with … [Read more...]