INSAT-4A is launched into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by Ariane-5 launch vehicle. The satellite is subsequently manoeuvred to 36,000 km high Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) by firing the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) on-board the satellite. In GSO, INSAT-4A will be co-located with INSAT-2E and INSAT-3B satellites at 83 deg East longitude. INSAT-4A is designed for a life of 12 years.

INSAT system, which was established in 1983,
is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region comprising eight satellites - INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3B, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, KALPANA-1, GSAT-2 and EDUSAT - with 150 transponders besides meteorological instruments. INSAT-4A will further augment the INSAT system capacity by adding another 24 transponders to the system and play a significant role in the expansion of DTH services.