Arianespace and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are expanding their relationship after the successful launch of ISRO’s INSAT-3A communications satellite aboard the Ariane 5 rocket earlier this week.

Arianespace will be carrying two more satellite payloads for ISRO–the INSAT 4A and 4B. These will be the 12th and 13th ISRO satellites to be booked with the French company. Since the launch of ISRO’s Apple experimental satellite in 1981, Arianespace has orbited 10 Indian satellites.

Designed, built and integrated by ISRO, the INSAT 4A and INSAT 4B satellites will each weigh about 3,200 kilograms (7,054 pounds) at liftoff. INSAT 4A and INSAT 4B are dedicated to telecommunications, with 12 Ku-band and 12 C-band transponders each. Their coverage zone will be the Indian subcontinent.

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