The second orbit raising operation on the GSAT-1 satellite was successfully carried out from the Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan at 9:13 pm IST last night (April 19, 2001). During this operation, the 440 Newton thrust liquid apogee motor on board the satellite was fired for four minutes imparting an additional velocity of 75 m per/sec when the satellite was at its perigee point (the point closest to the earth). With this operation, the satellite's apogee (farthest point from the earth) has reached its geo-synchronous altitude of 35,880 km, while the perigee is 3000 km. The inclination of the orbit has also been reduced to 13.3 degree with respect to the equatorial plane.

The operations on the satellite carried out last night involved a well-coordinated and synchronised commanding operations among three ground stations - Lake Cowichan in Canada, Fucino in Italy and the Master Control Facility at Hassan. The next orbit raising manoeuvre is planned around 2:30 am IST on April 21, 2001. All satellite functions are normal.