CleanupBot II at 18:18, 13 August 2023

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{{Use Indian English|date=January 2014}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2009}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment
| image =
| image_caption =
| mission_type = [[Communications]]
| operator = EADS Astrium
| website =
| COSPAR_ID =
| SATCAT =
| mission_duration = 2 years, 3 months
| spacecraft_bus =
| manufacturer = {{flagicon|India}} [[ISRO]]
| dry_mass =
| launch_mass = {{convert|350|kg|lb}}
| dimensions =
| power =
| launch_date = {{start-date|19 June 1981}}
| launch_rocket = [[Ariane 1]]
| launch_site = [[Guiana Space Centre|Kourou]] [[ELA-1]]
| launch_contractor =
| disposal_type =
| deactivated = {{end-date|19 September 1983}}
| decay_date =
| orbit_epoch =
| orbit_reference = [[geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime = [[Geostationary orbit|Geostationary]]
| orbit_periapsis =
| orbit_apoapsis =
| orbit_inclination =
| orbit_longitude = 102° East
| orbit_period =
| apsis = gee
}}

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 1|Ariane]], a [[launch vehicle]] of the [[European Space Agency|European Space Agency (ESA)]] from [[Centre Spatial Guyanais]] near [[Kourou]] in [[French Guiana]].

APPLE was [[India]]'s first three-axis [[orbital decay|stabilised]] [[experiment]]al [[Geostationary]] [[communication satellite]]. On July 16, 1981, the satellite was positioned at [[102nd meridian east|102° E longitude]]. The 672 kg<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1809/18090180.htm |title=ISRO success stories |publisher=THE HINDU |date=28 April 2001 |access-date=2013-03-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017024248/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1809/18090180.htm |archive-date=17 October 2006 }}...This important opportunity was utilised to build indigenously a 672-kg state-of-the-art three-axis-stabilised (as against the spin-stabilised Aryabhata) geosynchronous communication satellite called APPLE – Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment – which was launched in June 1981.</ref> satellite served as testbed of the Indian [[telecommunications]] space relay [[infrastructure]] despite the failure of one [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]] to deploy. Solid-propellant based Apogee Boost Motor to circularize APPLE's orbit was derived from [[SLV-3]] fourth stage.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Raj|first=N. Gopal|date=2014-09-10|title=Trusty engine on Mars Orbiter to be tested yet again|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/trusty-engine-on-mars-orbiter-to-be-tested-yet-again/article6398003.ece|access-date=2021-04-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

It was used in several [[communication]] experiments including relay of [[Television|TV programmes]] and [[radio]] networking. It was a cylindrical spacecraft measuring 1.2 m in diameter and 1.2 m high. Its [[Maximum Take-Off Weight|payload]] consisted of two 6/4 [[Gigahertz|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<ref>{{Cite web|title=Biodata RM Vasagam|url=https://www.bitmesra.ac.in/UploadedDocuments/pratyush_869/NewsUPloaded/Newscc467ba1512949a3a5b1af2b58e4e770_RM_Vasagam_PADMASHRI.pdf|access-date=4 August 2020|website=BIT Mesra}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/article-files/node/4548/apple_pdf.pdf|title=From fishing hamlet to red planet|publisher=Harper Collins|year=2015|isbn=9789351776895|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424223557/https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/article-files/node/4548/apple_pdf.pdf|archive-date=24 April 2021}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; width:40%; font-size:95%;
|+APPLE (Specifications)
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Mission || Experimental geostationary communication<ref name=isro>{{cite web|url=http://www.isro.org/satellites/apple.aspx |title=Welcome To ISRO :: Satellites :: Geo-Stationary Satellite :: APPLE |publisher=Isro.org |date=1981-06-19 |access-date=2013-03-17}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Weight || 670 kg<ref name=isro />
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Onboard Power || 210 watts<ref name=isro />
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Payload || C-band transponders (Two)<ref name=isro />
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Launch Date || June 19, 1981<ref name=isro />
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Launch Vehicle || Ariane -1(V-3)<ref name=isro />
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Orbit || Geosynchronous<ref name=isro />
|-
|style="text-align:left; background:#BBB;"| Mission life || Two years<ref name=isro />
|}

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==See also==

* [[List of Indian satellites]]

{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian space programme}}
{{Indian spacecraft}}
{{Orbital launches in 1981}}

[[Category:Communications satellites]]
[[Category:Satellites of India]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 1981]]

{{India-spacecraft-stub}}

Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 18:18, 13 August 2023