European rocket Ariane-5 lifted off from the French Guyanese spaceport of Kourou in South America early Thursday, carrying the Indian Space Research Organisation's Insat-3A and Panamsat's Galaxy XII satellites.

The 2.95 tonne Indian satellite carries 24 transponders -- 12 in C band, 6 in Ku band and the rest in the upper extended C band.

The ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka, 160km from Bangalore, took control of the satellite after it was launched into transfer orbit.

The launch was planned for Wednesday. But ISRO scientists, stationed at the launch site, observed during the final checks on Tuesday that the signal strength from one of the two telemetry transmitters was less than nominal.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 23 Sub: congrats europe congrats europe, you made me proud with successful launch of the araine5 rocket. i am not wishing isro coz i dunno whether the satellite works ... Posted by Uncle Sam Sub: Confrates!!!!! Millions of congratulation to ISRO group and all the pepole who r invovled in such a development either directly or Indirectly....we r proud of ur ... Posted by Mohan Sub: Insat 3A Congratulations to ISRO and Team Let all these launches help to reduce the cost of communication and you guys (ISRO) go ahead and develope launch ... Posted by Paresh Sub: insat-3A congratulations isro and ESA. But will the technical quality of DD transmission ever improve? i always see picture with faded colours and distorted voice transmissions. ... Posted by k.v.ramana rao Sub: Congrats Congrats to all people in ISRO , We indians are proud of you....... Posted by Rajesh