Following the successful launch of the multi-purpose satellite INSAT-3A into orbit on Thursday morning, Indian Space Research Organisation and Arianespace announced signing of the launch contracts for two more payloads, the INSAT-4A and INSAT-4B spacecraft.

Arianespace is owned by a consortium of European nations.

ISRO chairman Dr K Kasturirangan and CEO of Arianespace Jean-Yves Le Gall made the announcement after the launch of the INSAT-3A at Kourou in French Guyana.

Designed, built and integrated by ISRO, the INSAT-4A and INSAT-4B satellites will each weigh about 3,200 kg at liftoff.

INSAT-4A and INSAT-4B will be dedicated to telecommunications, with 12 Ku band and 12 C-band transponders each.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the very prestigious Indian Space Research Organisation for its loyalty to Ariane during the past 22 years. Winning these two contracts in today's slow market is a mark of renewed confidence in our launch system," Le Gall said.