GSAT 7A: ISRO launches geostationary communication satellite from Sriharikota

In another milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation, the space agency has on Wednesday launched the country's 35th communication satellite GSAT-7A onboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The GSLV-F11 will inject GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Photo: ISRO

SRIHARIKOTA: In another milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation, the space agency has on Wednesday launched the country's 35th communication satellite GSAT-7A onboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F11 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. GSAT-7A, built by ISRO, will provide communication capability to users in Ku-band over the Indian region. The GSLV-F11 will inject GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The satellite will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit using the onboard propulsion system.  It will take few days after separation from launcher to reach its orbital slot. GSLV-F11 is ISRO's fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages. The rocket rapidly rushed towards the blue skies with a thick orange flame at its tail. The rocket will sling the GSAT-7A, weighing 2,250 kg, that would beef up the communication capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF) over its eight-year life span. The GSLV is a three-stage/engine rocket. The core of first stage is fired with solid fuel while the four strap-on motors by liquid fuel. The second is the liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine. Meanwhile, the Indian space agency is facing an increased demand for strategic satellites. "There is increased demand for satellites from strategic sectors. About six/seven satellites are planned to be built," a senior official of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told IANS, preferring anonymity. The four liquid strap-ons and a solid rocket motor at the core form the first stage of the launch vehicle, while the second stage is equipped with high thrust engine using liquid fuel, the space agency said on its website. The Cryogenic Upper Stage forms the third and final stage of the vehicle.

#WATCH: Communication satellite GSAT-7A on-board GSLV-F11 launched at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. pic.twitter.com/suR92wNBAL

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2018

GSAT-7A is the 35th Indian Communication satellite built by ISRO. GSAT-7A Spacecraft is configured on ISRO’s standard I-2000 Kg (I-2K) Bus. The Satellite is built to provide communication capability to the users in Ku-band over the Indian region.