Bangalore: India's latest communication satellite, INSAT-3E, has been flown out for an end-August launch aboard European Ariane launch vehicle from French Guyanese spaceport of Kourou in South America.

The spacecraft, along with ground checkout and other equipment, left Bangalore on July 15 by an AN- 124 cargo aircraft and reached Cayenne airport on July 16, said the Bangalore-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The spacecraft was then transported by road to the launch centre at Kourou, India's space agency said in a statement.

INSAT-3E is the fourth satellite to be launched in the INSAT-3 series after INSAT-3A, INSAT-3B and INSAT-3C, which have already been commissioned. INSAT-3D, an advanced meteorological spacecraft, would be launched during 2004-05, ISRO said.

Weighing 2,750 kg at lift-off, INSAT-3E carries 24 C-band transponders and 12 extended C-band transponders. When commissioned, the satellite would substantially enhance the INSAT system capacity, which now provides about 120 transponders in C-band, extended C-band, Ku-band and S- band meeting the requirement of various tests, it said.

In the coming weeks, ISRO said, the appendages like antennae and solar panels would be integrated with INSAT-3E and the total spacecraft tested in detail. After propellant filing operations, it will be mated with the Ariane vehicle for its launch, the agency said.

PTI