India is all set to launch the GSAT-12 communications satellite onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) on July 15, said the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in a release.

An official from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, the Indian space agency, confirmed that the GSAT-12 Communication satellite with a mass of 1410 kg at lift-off, has 12 Extended C-band transponders. PSLV-C17 will inject GSAT-12 into an elliptical Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) of 284 km perigee and 21,000 km apogee. Subsequently, the Liquid Apogee Motor of the satellite will be used to raise both apogee and perigee of the Satellite to place it in a circular orbit of 36,000 km altitude.

All the four stages of the launch vehicle have been fully assembled at the Vehicle Assembly Building at Shriharikota. Presently, the vehicle is said to be going through various levels of electrical checkout operations and reviews.

GSAT-12 satellite has already undergone necessary testing at Shriharikota before commencing the filling of propellants in the Satellite on June 28, 2011. The spacecraft is configured as a replacement of INSAT-3B and carries 12 Extended C band transponders. GSAT-12 is configured on well proven I-1K bus structure with the power handling capability of around 919 watts.

On July 3, GSAT-12 Satellite was integrated with PSLV-C17 vehicle at the Vehicle Assembly Building, after clearance by the Launch Authorization Board.

As planned, on July 10, PSLV-C17 Vehicle (with the GSAT-12 Satellite onboard) is planned to be moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Second Launch Pad. On July 13, the 52.5 hour Countdown for the launch is expected to commence after launch rehearsals, clearance from Mission Readiness Review Teams and Launch Authorization Board. The lift-off of PSLV-C17 from the Second Launch Pad is scheduled on July 15 between 1648 and 1708 hrs.

Indian Space Research Organization is successfully operating two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of satellites.

Recently, on April 20^th, 2011, PSLV-C16, the eighteenth flight of ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle launched RESOURCESAT - 2, YOUTHSAT and X-SAT successfully.