ISRO Launched GSAT- 7A, IAF Communication Satellite Successfully by GSLV-F11

ISRO Launched GSAT- 7A, IAF  Communication Satellite Successfully by GSLV-F11

ISRO GSAT 7A launch: The long-awaited GSAT-7A, a geostationary communication satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Sriharikota: ISRO launched its military communication satellite GSAT-7A 35th Indian communication satellite weighing 2,250 kg from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

From the Mission Control Centre, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said Wednesday's "successful and safe" launch was the third one in 35 days and came close on the heels of the "grand success" of two missions in November.

 It is the GSAT-7A will be the first satellite built primarily for the IAF to qualitatively unify its assets and improve combined, common intelligence during operations. The satellite is expected to add a new space-based dimension to the way Indian Air Force interlinks, operates and communicates with its aircraft as they fly and with command centres on the ground. 

     The GSAT-7A/GSLV-F11 mission will also wrap up the calendar year for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Ministry of Defence recently cleared a plan to set up a special "Defence Space Agency" - an integrated tri-services unit that will use all Indian space assets for the benefit of the armed forces. This is also the space agency's 69th rocket launch from Sriharikota.

The GSLV-F11 space vehicle will release it to an eventual geostationary orbit about 36,000 km from Earth. However, it will become fully functional after a month of testing payloads. 

The GSLV-F11 injected GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and it will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit using the onboard propulsion systems.

The GSAT-7A will provide communication capability to users in Ku-band over the Indian region. 

The GSAT-7A  along with GSAT-7 and GSAT-6 dubbed the "Indian Angry Bird", will form the band of communication satellite for use by the Indian military.

After a 26-hour countdown, the GSLV-F11, carrying the 2,250kg GSAT-7A, lifted off at 4.10 pm from the second launch pad at Sriharikota, situated about 110 km from Chennai.

Around 19 minutes after lift-off, the GSLV-F11 injected GSAT-7A into the intended orbit. It will be placed in its final geostationary orbit using the onboard propulsion systems.

the satellite would take a few days after separation from the launcher to reach its orbital slot.

According to the space agency officials, the 2,250-kg military communications satellite will help in connecting all assets of the Indian Air Force and serve as a force multiplier.

The GSLV-F11 is the ISRO's fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages.

1.Four liquid strap-on’s and a solid rocket motor at the core form 

 2.High-thrust engine using liquid fuel.

3.The Cryogenic Upper Stage.

GSAT-7A satellite is expected to provide aircraft-to-aircraft communication and will have an exclusive frequency for the purpose.

 

A congratulatory message tweeted by  Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot