GSAT-7A

GSAT-7A
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorIndian Air Force
Indian Army[1]
COSPAR ID2018-105A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.43864Edit this on Wikidata
Mission durationPlanned: 8 years
Elapsed: 5 years, 10 months, 8 days
Spacecraft properties
BusI-2K
ManufacturerISRO Satellite Centre
Space Applications Centre
Launch mass2,250 kilograms (4,960 lb)
Power3.3 kilowatts[2]
Start of mission
Launch date19 December 2018
10:40 UTC[3]
RocketGSLV Mk.II F11
Launch siteSatish Dhawan SLP
ContractorISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Slot63°E[4]
Transponders
BandKu band
Coverage areaIndia
← GSAT-11
GSAT-31 →

GSAT-7A is an advanced military communications satellite meant primarily for the Indian Air Force with Indian Army using 30% of capacity.[5]

Overview

GSAT-7A allows IAF to interlink different ground radar stations, ground airbase, aircraft to aircraft Real-time Control System, AEW&C aircraft such as Beriev A-50-based Phalcon and DRDO Netra. The satellite enhances network-centric warfare capabilities of the Indian Air Force and its global operations.[6][7] The satellite is also used by Indian Army's Aviation Corps for real-time control and communication of its aviation operations.[1][8][9] India is in the process of acquiring high-altitude long endurance satellite-controlled UAVs, such as American armed MQ-9B Predator drones, that can fire at enemy targets from long distances.[7][10]

As of December 2018, there are 320 dual use or dedicated military satellite in the sky, half of which are owned by the United States, followed by Russia, China and India (14).[7] To boost its network-centric operations, the IAF is also likely to get another satellite GSAT-7C within a few years.[7]

The GSAT-7A, with a mission life of 8 years, is also equipped with the payload of 10 Ku band transponders,[6] which offers several advantages over c-band, such more powerful satellite uplink and downlink signals, smaller antennas, and non-interference of communication signals with terrestrial microwave systems.

Payload:[11][12][13]

Launch

GSAT-7A weighing 2,250 kilograms (4,960 lb) was successfully launched on 19 December 2018 by GSLV Mk II F11 rocket from Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre.[14] This three-stage launch vehicle 51 meters tall, has a lift-off mass of about 421 tonnes and indigenously developed cryogenic stage.[6][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Isro to launch GSAT-7A tomorrow, communication satellite to give more power to forces". Hindustan Times. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  2. ^ "GSLV-F11 GSAT-7A Launch Kit". ISRO. Archived from the original on 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  3. ^ "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A". Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Specifications for 11m Ku‐Band Full Motion Antenna Systems" (PDF). ISRO.gov.in. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  5. ^ D.s, Madhumathi (2018-12-16). "ISRO's GSAT-7A to add more heft to Air Force". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  6. ^ a b c Chandrayaan-2 on track, 32 missions next year: ISRO, Indian Express, 20 Dec 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d Why Isro's Gsat-7A launch is important for the Indian Air Force, Times of India, 19 Dec 2018.
  8. ^ "India's Tech Roadmap Points to Small Sats, Space Weapons". Archived from the original on 2015-01-21.
  9. ^ "IAF to induct 214 fifth generation fighter jets". Archived from the original on 2011-10-06.
  10. ^ "Satellite control set to give drones more sting". The Times of India. 2018-09-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  11. ^ "Space Applications Centre, Annual Report 2014-15" (PDF). SAC. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  12. ^ "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  13. ^ "Department of Space Monthly Summary, September 2018" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  14. ^ "Customer profile: ISRO GSAT-7/7A Project Director G. Shivanna". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  15. ^ Clark, Stephen. "Indian space program closes out year with launch of upgraded GSLV – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2018-12-20.


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