NEWDELHI: All the 11 communication transponders operating in UHF, S, C and Ku-bands of India's advanced multiband communication satellite GSAT-7 have been successfully switched on and their performance is found to be normal.

GSAT-7 is now positioned at its designated orbital slot of 74 deg east longitude in the geostationary orbit and In Orbit Testing (IOT) of the 11 transponders is in progress.

GSAT-7 was launched from Kourou, French Guyana in the early hours of 30 August and was successfully placed in the Geosynchronous Orbit with an altitude of about 36,000 km above Earth's surface on 3 September morning, after successfully completing the last of the three orbit-raising maneuvers commanded from ISRO`s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan.

Earlier in 3 September, the communication antennae of GSAT-7, including the UHF Helix antenna, were deployed successfully. Following this, GSAT-7 was put in its final orbital configuration, stabilised on its three-axis by the momentum wheels.

The GSAT-7 Satellite was expected to reach its assigned orbital slot of 74 degree east longitude in the Geostationary Orbit within 10 days.

Based on current availability of hardware and components, the GSLV Vehicle assembly and checkout is expected to be completed at the Vehicle Assembly Building by the first week of December 2013 and the launch could take place by December 2013.