INSAT-4C was an Indian

communications satellite A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunication signals via a Transponder (satellite communications), transponder; it creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and a Rad ...

which was lost in a launch failure in 2006. Had it reached orbit, it would have formed part of the

Indian National Satellite System The Indian National Satellite System or INSAT, is a series of multipurpose geostationary satellites launched by the ISRO, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to satisfy telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescu ...

. Launched in 2007, it was intended to have operated in

geostationary orbit A geostationary orbit, also referred to as a geosynchronous equatorial orbit''Geostationary orbit'' and ''Geosynchronous (equatorial) orbit'' are used somewhat interchangeably in sources. (GEO), is a circular orbit, circular geosynchronous or ...

at a longitude of 73.97° east. The INSAT-4CR satellite, launched in September 2007, replaced it. Built by the

Indian Space Research Organisation The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO ) is India's national List of government space agencies, space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It serves as the principal research and development arm of the Department of Space (DoS), ...

, INSAT-4C was based upon the

I-2K I-2K is a satellite bus developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and marketed by Antrix Corporation. It is a standard bus for 2,000 kg class satellites; the 'I' in I-2K stands for INSAT, a group of communication satellites deve ...

satellite bus A satellite bus (or spacecraft bus) is the main body and structural component of a satellite or spacecraft, in which the payload and all scientific instruments are held. Bus-derived satellites are less customized than specially-produced satelli ...

. It had a dry mass of , or when fully fuelled. It was expected to have operated for ten years. The satellite carried twelve

Ku band The Ku band () is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies from 12 to 18 gigahertz (GHz). The symbol is short for "K-under" (originally ), because it is the lower part of the original NATO K ban ...

transponders, with two solar arrays to generate power. ISRO launched INSAT-4C on the second operational flight of the

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a class of expendable launch systems operated by the ISRO, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). GSLV has been used in List of GSLV launches, fifteen launches since 2001. History The Geo ...

, which was flying in the Mk.I configuration. The launch took place from the Second Launch Pad at the

Satish Dhawan Space Centre Satish Dhawan Space Centre – SDSC (formerly Sriharikota Range – SHAR) is the primary spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), located in Sriharikota, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. The spaceport is located on an isl ...

; the first time the pad was used by a GSLV. Liftoff occurred at 12:08 UTC on 10 July 2006. Early in the flight a thrust controller in one of the four liquid rocket boosters failed, resulting in the booster cutting off shortly afterwards. Approximately 55 seconds after launch the vehicle veered off-course and began to disintegrate. The range safety officer subsequently commanded the remainder of the rocket to self-destruct.

References

{{Orbital launches in 2006 Spacecraft launched in 2006 INSAT satellites Satellite launch failures 2006 in India Spacecraft launched by GSLV rockets