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Forty-eight years ago, a pioneering satellite named Kiku 2 propelled Japan into the exclusive group of nations capable of operating satellites in geostationary orbit
INSAT-3C (27298)
COSPAR: 2002-002A | Alt Name: Insat 3C
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 23, 2002
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 42L
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
27298
International Designator
2002-002A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:42:57 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
8.49°
Right Ascension
63.32°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
143.49°
Period
1450.10 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
INSAT-3C
Alternative Name
Insat 3C
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
ISRO
Country
India
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 27298U 02002A 26184.40482653 -.00000035 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 27298 8.4864 63.3168 0011552 143.4882 52.7089 0.99303248 89254
Source: Celestrak
Summary
INSAT-3C is a communication satellite with the OBJECT_ID 2002-002A and NORAD_CAT_ID 27298. Launched by ISRO on January 23, 2002, from ELA2 in FRGUI using an Ariane 42L launch vehicle, it stabilized by January 24, 2002. The satellite has dimensions of 2.8 meters in length and a diameter of 1.7 meters with a span of 15.4 meters. It weighs 2750 kg at launch and has a dry mass of 1050 kg. INSAT-3C is equipped with 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries for power supply, and various transponders including 24 C-band, 6 external C-band, 2 S-band, and 1 MSS transponder. The satellite’s shape is described as a box with two panels, and its radar cross-section (RCS) is 8.9433 m². It operates for communication purposes under the ownership of ISRO.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.8
Diameter
1.7
Span
15.4
Dry Mass
1050
Launch Mass
2750
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
8.9433
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Insat 3C
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ISRO
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
I2K
Configuration
Insat-2/-3 Bus
Motor
ISRO LAM
Equipment
24 C-band transponders, 6 ext. C-band transponders, 2 S-band transponders, 1 MSS transponder
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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