India successfully launched GSAT-7A communication satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota onboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F11 on Wednesday, 19 December.
The 2,250 kg GSAT-7A is the 35th Indian communication satellite built by ISRO. It is configured on ISRO's standard I-2000 Kg (I-2K) Bus, ISRO told PTI.
The satellite, which has a mission life of eight years, has been built to provide communication capabilities to the users in Ku-band over the Indian region, ISRO added.
Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa told PTI that satellite would enhance the networking and communication capabilities of the Air Force.
The satellite will also help in reducing the possibility of snooping which happens while using satellites of foreign operators.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu congratulated ISRO for the successful launch and said that the satellite will give a “big boost to our defence capabilities.”
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), in its 13th flight, will inject GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
The satellite will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit (GEO) using the onboard propulsion system, ISRO said, adding GSAT-7A will take a few days after separation from the launcher to reach its orbital slot.
GSLV-F11 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 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, it added.
Congratulatory Messages Pour in
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu congratulated ISRO for successfully launching the advanced satellite.
Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “India is on the cusp of becoming a global military power and strengthening of the country’s defence plays a pivotal role.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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