GSAT-16 Geostationary Communication Satellite was built by and is operated by ISRO from India. The satellite had a weight of 3,182kgs at lift-off and was added being to ISRO’s INSAT-GSAT satellite system. GSAT-16 was configured to carry a total of 48 communication transponders, the largest number of transponders carried by a communication satellite developed by ISRO so far, in normal C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-band. GSAT-16 carried a Ku-band beacon as well to help accurately point ground antennas towards the satellite.

The designed on-orbit operational life of GSAT-16 was 12 years. The communication transponders on-board GSAT-16 together ensure continuity of various services currently provided by INSAT-GSAT system and serve as on-orbit spares to meet contingency requirements or for the augmentation of such services.

GSAT-16 is positioned at 55° East longitude in the Geostationary orbit and co-located with GSAT-8 communications satellite and IRNSS-1A and IRNSS-1B navigational satellites all operated by ISRO.

GSAT-16 was successfully launched on December 6^th, 2014, in a dual launch with DirecTV-14 for satellite operator AT&T from USA on an Ariane 5ECA rocket booster, operated by launch operator Arianespace from the Kourou Space Port in French Guyana.