INSAT-1A was an Indian communications satellite which formed part of the Indian National Satellite System. Launched in 1982, it was operated in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 74° east. Following a series of failures, the satellite was abandoned in September 1982, less than six months into a seven-year mission.
Built by Ford Aerospace and operated by the Indian National Satellite System, INSAT-1A was based upon a custom satellite bus developed for the INSAT-1 series. It had a mass at launch of 1152 kg, and was expected to operate for 7 years. The spacecraft carried 12 C and 3 S band transponders, powered by a single solar array.[3]
NASA was contracted to launch INSAT-1A using a Delta 3910 rocket with a PAM-D upper stage. The launch occurred at 06:47 UTC on 10 April 1982, from Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[1] The satellite was successfully inserted into