<P> INSAT - 4B is an Indian communications satellite which forms part of the Indian National Satellite System . Launched in 2007, it is operated in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 93.48 ° east . </P> <P> Built by the Indian Space Research Organisation, INSAT - 4B is based upon the I - 3K satellite bus . It had a mass at launch of 3,028 kilograms (6,676 lb), with a dry mass of 1,335 kilograms (2,943 lb) and was expected to operate for twelve years . Two solar arrays power the satellite, while its communications payload consists of twelve C and twelve K band transponders . </P> <P> Arianespace was contracted to launch INSAT - 4B using an Ariane 5 ECA carrier rocket . The launch occurred on 11 March 2007 at 22: 03 UTC, from ELA - 3 at Kourou . The Skynet 5A military communications satellite for the British Ministry of Defence was launched aboard the same rocket . </P> <P> INSAT - 4B was successfully inserted into geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which it raised itself into geostationary orbit using a liquid - fuelled apogee motor . It received the International Designator 2007 - 007A and Satellite Catalog Number 30793 . As of 11 November 2013, it is in an orbit with a perigee of 35,776 kilometres (22,230 mi), an apogee of 35,809 kilometres (22,251 mi), inclination of 0.07 degrees and an orbital period of 23.93 hours . </P>

India's communications satellite insat-4b was launched from