| Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment | |
| Mission Type: | Communications |
| Operator: | EADS Astrium |
| Mission Duration: | 2 years, 3 months |
| Manufacturer: |  ISRO |
| Launch Mass: | 350kg (770lb) |
| Launch Rocket: | Ariane 1 |
| Launch Site: | Kourou ELA-1 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Geostationary |
| Orbit Longitude: | 102° East |
| 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, a launch vehicle of the European Space Agency (ESA) from Centre Spatial Guyanais near Kourou in French Guiana.
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]
| Mission | Experimental geostationary communication[5] | |
| Weight | 670 kg | |
| Onboard Power | 210 watts | |
| Payload | C-band transponders (Two) | |
| Launch Date | June 19, 1981 | |
| Launch Vehicle | Ariane -1(V-3) | |
| Orbit | Geosynchronous | |
| Mission life | Two years |