India's first Geostationary experimental communication satellite APPLE : Some interesting facts to learn

On June 19, 1981 India launched its first geostationary satellite called APPLE. It was an experimental communication satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with a C-band transponder.

1)APPLE stands for Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment

2)The satellite was launched by Ariane, a launch vehicle of the European Space Agency (ESA) from Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana

3)It is India's first three-axis stabilised experimental geostationary communication satellite

4)The satellite was positioned at 102nd meridian east longitude

5)The apple was designed and developed at the ISRO Satellite Centre in Bangalore which looked after its structure, TTC, power, thermal control and sensor system

6)After being tested by ISRO, it was sent to France where final tests were carried out in Toulouse and Kourou

7)Post the test, the satellite was docked with the Ariane launcher. The mission control was done from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh

8)The satellite was used for experimentation in television and radio broadcasting

9)It was a proud moment for India and in its honour, the Indian Postal Services issued a stamp on its first anniversary.

The programme was deactivated on September 19, 1983

Weight: 670 kg

Source :- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/indias-first-geostationary-satellite-apple-was-launched-on-this-day/1/445746.html