MUMBAI: The nation - and communication satellite trackers - will have to wait for another day. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the launch of its GSAT-18 communications satellite has been delayed by a day. According to its launch partner, Arianespace, the flight was forced to be postponed on account of unfavorable weather conditions.

GSAT-18 was slated to be launched early 5 October 2016 morning (Indian standard time) by Arianespace using an Ariane 5 rocket from Kouro in French Guiana. Now, the launch date has been pushed forward to 6 October at 1:15 am.

This is not the first time that GSAT-18’s launch has been delayed. It was initially to be launched on 12 July 2016 along with the Japanese satellite Superbird-8 but a shipping mishap which damaged the latter forced the cancellation of the liftoff. The Indian satellite has another passenger on board the Araine’s Fligh VA 231, Australia’s broadband satellite SkyMuster II.

GSAT-18 is to be placed at 74 degrees east and has a payload of 24 C-band transponders, 12 upper extended C-band transponders, 12 Ku-band transponders and 2 Ku-Beacon transmitters. The bird has a lifespan of 15 years and it will primarily go to augment the capacity of DTH television, broadcast TV, as well as telecom services in India.