Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment

The Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment (APPLE), was an experimental communication satellite with a C-Band transponder launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation on June 19, 1981 by Ariane, a launch vehicle of the European Space Agency (ESA) from Centre Spatial Guyanais near Kourou in French Guiana.

Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorEADS Astrium
COSPAR ID1981-057B
SATCAT no.12545
Mission duration2 years, 3 months
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer ISRO
Launch mass350 kilograms (770 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date19 June 1981 (1981-06-19)
RocketAriane 1
Launch siteKourou ELA-1
End of mission
Deactivated19 September 1983 (1983-09-20)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude102° East
 

APPLE was India's first three-axis stabilised experimental Geostationary communication satellite. On July 16, 1981, the satellite was positioned at 102° E longitude. The 672 kg[1] satellite served as testbed of the Indian telecommunications space relay infrastructure despite the failure of one solar panel to deploy.

It was used in several communication experiments including relay of TV programmes and radio networking. It was a cylindrical spacecraft measuring 1.2 m in diameter and 1.2 m high. Its payload consisted of two 6/4 GHz transponders connected to a 0.9 m diameter parabolic antenna. It went out of service on September 19, 1983.

APPLE (Specifications)
MissionExperimental geostationary communication[2]
Weight670 kg[2]
Onboard Power210 watts[2]
PayloadC-band transponders (Two)[2]
Launch DateJune 19, 1981[2]
Launch VehicleAriane -1(V-3)[2]
OrbitGeosynchronous[2]
Mission lifeTwo years[2]

See also

References
  1. "ISRO success stories". THE HINDU. 28 April 2001. Archived from the original on 17 October 2006. Retrieved 2013-03-17....This important opportunity was utilised to build indigenously a 672-kg state-of-the-art three-axis-stabilised (as against the spin-stabilised Aryabhata) geosynchronous communication satellite called APPLE – Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment – which was launched in June 1981.
  2. "Welcome To ISRO :: Satellites :: Geo-Stationary Satellite :: APPLE". Isro.org. 1981-06-19. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
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