Bangalore: India's multi-purpose satellite, INSAT-3A, was placed in its Geo- Stationary Orbit (GSO) as the third and final stage of orbit raising operation was conducted on April 14 from Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the manoeuvre was completed by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor on board the spacecraft for a duration of three minutes and 41 seconds.

The satellite has achieved an orbital period of 23 hours and 48 minutes and is continuously visible to the MCF, the Bangalore-headquartered space agency said in a statement.

"INSAT-3A is now moving towards its geo-stationary orbital slot with the planned drift rate of two degree per day. It is expected to reach its orbital slot of 93.5 degree East Longitude in the next five days," ISRO said.

The deployment of the solar array and the antenna is planned for April 15.

All subsystems on the satellite, launched by the European Ariane-5 rocket last week, are working normally, the agency added.

PTI