GSAT-7A: an advanced comm satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F11) has launched the communication satellite GSAT-7A from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota on 19 Dec 2018.
The GSLV-F11, carrying 2250 kg GSAT-7A, injected GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) of 170.8 km x 39127 km which is very close to the intended orbit.
Soon after the separation of the satellite, ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka took over the command and control of GSAT-7A. The satellite’s health parameters are normal.
In the next few days, scientists at MCF will perform various orbit-raising manoeuvres, using GSAT-7A’s onboard propulsion system, to place the satellite in its final geostationary orbit.
ISRO has launched three missions from SDSC starting with GSLV MkIII-D2 on 14 November, PSLV-C43 on 29 November and finally GSLV-F11 on 19 December. The GSAT-7A is the heaviest satellite being launched by GSLV with an indigenously developed cryogenic stage.
The cryogenic stage of this vehicle has been modified to increase the thrust rate.
GSAT-7A is an advanced communication satellite with a Gregorian Antenna and many other new technologies.
GSLV is ISRO’s fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages. The four-liquid strap-ons and a solid rocket motor at the core form the first stage. The second stage is equipped with a high thrust engine using liquid fuel. The cryogenic upper stage forms the third and final stage of the vehicle.
GSLV-F11 was the seventh flight carrying indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage, said ISRO in a press release.
GSAT-7A is the 39th Indian communication satellite of ISRO to provide services to the users in Ku-band over the Indian region.
Most of the functional requirements of the communication payloads and the other systems have been derived from ISRO’s earlier geostationary INSAT/GSAT satellites.
The 19 December 2018 launch was the 7th mission of ISRO from SDSC in the year 2018. This was also the 13th flight of GSLV-MkII. fiinews.com
