ARIANESPACE

Ariane 5 G | INSAT-3E, eBird 1, SMART-1

SUCCESS Ariane 5 G →
Sep 27, 2003 at 23:14 UTC
Geostationary Transfer Orbit Communications Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana 81% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADAriane Launch Area 3
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →
ORBITGeostationary Transfer Orbit
TYPECommunications

INSAT-3A is a multipurpose satellite for providing telecommunications, television broadcasting, meteorological and search & rescue services. INSAT-3A payloads include Normal C-band transponders with expanded coverage from Middle East to South East Asia, Extended C-band transponders providing India coverage and Ku-band transponders providing India coverage. The satellite also carries one Data Relay Transponder (DRT) and one Satellite Aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) payload. SAS&R payload has a global receive coverage with 406 MHz uplink and C-band downlink with India coverage for the relay of signals from distress beacons in sea, air or land.

VEHICLE
Ariane 5 G
MISSION
INSAT-3A
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
COUNTRY
FRA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 6a996a79-847d-4b96-b517-17cc1a4b143c
Reported date: Sep 27, 2003 at 23:14 UTC
Last synced: 3 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
ArianeGroup
VARIANT
G
FLIGHTS
16
SUCCESSES
13
SUCCESS RATE
81.3%

The original version is dubbed Ariane 5 G (Generic) and had a launch mass of 737 tonnes. Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) for a single satellite or 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) for dual launches. It flew 17 times with one failure and two partial failures.

When is the Ariane 5 G | INSAT-3E, eBird 1, SMART-1 launch?
The Ariane 5 G | INSAT-3E, eBird 1, SMART-1 is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 11:14 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for INSAT-3A?
The Ariane 5 G | INSAT-3E, eBird 1, SMART-1 mission uses the Ariane 5 G rocket, manufactured by ArianeGroup. The Ariane 5 G has flown 16 times with a 81.3% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 5 G | INSAT-3E, eBird 1, SMART-1 launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 3 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is INSAT-3A going to?
The INSAT-3A mission is targeting Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
Who is launching INSAT-3A?
The Ariane 5 G | INSAT-3E, eBird 1, SMART-1 is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 5 G | INSAT-3E, eBird 1, SMART-1 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch date set: Sep 27, 2003 at 23:14 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 3 minutes ago
Launch Library 23 minutes ago
Launch ID: 6a996a79-847d-4b96-b517-17cc1a4b143c
Open-Meteo Weather18 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.24, -52.77

Mission Profile

INSAT-3A was a Ariane 5 G mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on September 27, 2003. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. The launch was a success.