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The Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment (APPLE), was an experimental communication satellite with a C-Band transponder launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation on June 19, 1981, by Ariane, a launch vehicle of the European Space Agency (ESA) from Centre Spatial Guyanais near Kourou in French Guiana.

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Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment

Mission type	Communications
Operator	EADS Astrium
COSPAR ID	1981-057B
SATCAT no.	12545
Mission duration	2 years, 3 months
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	ISRO
Launch mass	350 kilograms (770 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	19 June 1981 (1981-06-19)
Rocket	Ariane 1
Launch site	Kourou ELA-1
End of mission
Deactivated	19 September 1983 (1983-09-20)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	102° East

APPLE was India's first three-axis stabilised experimental Geostationary communication satellite. On July 16, 1981, the satellite was positioned at 102° E longitude. The 672 kg[1] satellite served as testbed of the Indian telecommunications space relay infrastructure despite the failure of one solar panel to deploy. Solid-propellant based Apogee Boost Motor to circularize APPLE's orbit was derived from SLV-3 fourth stage.[2]

It was used in several communication experiments including relay of TV programmes and radio networking. It was a cylindrical spacecraft measuring 1.2 m in diameter and 1.2 m high. Its payload consisted of two 6/4 GHz transponders connected to a 0.9 m diameter parabolic antenna. It went out of service on September 19, 1983. R. M. Vasagam was the project director of APPLE during 1977-1983[3][4]

APPLE (Specifications)

Mission	Experimental geostationary communication[5]
Weight	670 kg[5]
Onboard Power	210 watts[5]
Payload	C-band transponders (Two)[5]
Launch Date	June 19, 1981[5]
Launch Vehicle	Ariane -1(V-3)[5]
Orbit	Geosynchronous[5]
Mission life	Two years[5]

See also

• List of Indian satellites

References

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