RS lauds successful launch of INSAT-4B

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) Minister of State in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan today told the Rajya Sabha that India's latest satellite INSAT-4B was successfully launched early this morning from Kourou in French Guyana.

The 3,025 kg INSAT-4B, carrying 12 high-power Ku-band and 12 C-band transponders, will augment INSAT capacity for direct-to-home television and other communication and TV services, he said.

The master control facility at Hassan in Karnataka acquired signals from INSAT-4B soon after it entered into orbit and initial checks indicated ''normal health'' of the satellite.

''I request members to join me in congratulating the chairman and members of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) team and wishing them success,'' Mr Chavan said during the zero hour.

UNI