GSAT-7A

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

GSAT-7A
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorIndian Air Force
Indian Army[1]
COSPAR ID2018-105A
SATCAT no.43864
Mission durationPlanned: 8 years
Elapsed: 2 years, 1 month, 13 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
 

Overview

GSAT-7A allows IAF to interlink different ground radar stations, ground airbase, aircraft to aircraft Real-time Control System, Airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft such as Beriev A-50 Phalcon and DRDO AEW&CS. 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 and long endurance satellite-controlled UAVs, such as American armed Predator-B or Sea Guardian drones, that can fire at enemy targets from long distances.[7]

As of December 2018, there are 320 dual use or dedicated military satellite in the sky, half of which are owned by USA alone, 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:[10][11][12]

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.[13] This three-stage launch vehicle 51 meters tall, has a lift-off mass of about 421 tonnes and indigenously developed cryogenic stage.[6][14]

See also

References
  1. "Isro to launch GSAT-7A tomorrow, communication satellite to give more power to forces". Hindustan TImes. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  2. "GSLV-F11 GSAT-7A Launch Kit". ISRO. 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. Chandrayaan-2 on track, 32 missions next year: ISRO, Indian Express, 20 Dec 2018.
  7. 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".
  10. "Space Applications Centre, Annual Report 2014-15" (PDF). SAC. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  11. "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  12. "Department of Space Monthly Summary, September 2018" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  13. "Customer profile: ISRO GSAT-7/7A Project Director G. Shivanna". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  14. Clark, Stephen. "Indian space program closes out year with launch of upgraded GSLV – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2018-12-20.


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