INSAT-4C

INSAT-4C was an Indian communications satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as part of the INSAT-4 series. The satellite was intended to support the rapid expansion of Direct-to-Home (DTH) television broadcasting and telecommunications services across India.

INSAT-4C was launched on 10 July 2006 aboard a GSLV-F02 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, India. The satellite was designed to be placed into geostationary orbit (GEO) and was based on ISRO’s I-2K satellite platform.

The spacecraft carried Ku-band transponders, which are widely used for:

• DTH television services
• Broadcasting and media distribution
• Telecommunication applications

However, the mission did not succeed. Shortly after liftoff, the GSLV-F02 rocket experienced a failure, leading to the loss of the launch vehicle and the INSAT-4C satellite.

Despite the unsuccessful outcome, INSAT-4C was part of ISRO’s broader effort to expand India’s satellite communications capacity, particularly in the fast-growing DTH sector. The lessons learned from this failure contributed to improvements in subsequent GSLV missions.

The lost capacity was later restored with the successful launch of INSAT-4CR in 2007, which effectively replaced INSAT-4C and supported India’s growing demand for satellite-based broadcasting and communication services.