Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully placed in orbit a communications satellite GSAT-7A, also known as “Indian Angry Bird”, this evening. It took off from the launchpad of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. According to reports, “The GSAT-7A will connect all IAF assets like planes, air-borne early warning control platforms and drones with each other and ground stations and work towards a network-centric warfare capability. It will also reduce the possibility of snooping and leakage of information that’s possible while using satellites launched by foreign operators.”
GSLV-F11 injected GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The satellite will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit (GEO) 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 four liquid strap-ons and a solid rocket motor at the core form the first stage. The second stage is equipped with high thrust engine using liquid fuel. The Cryogenic Upper Stage forms the third and final stage of the vehicle.
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.
“Congratulate @isro for successfully launching the advanced communication satellite GSAT-7A, with launch vehicle GSLV-F11, from #Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh today. The 2250 kg satellite built by #ISRO will be a big boost to our defence capabilities,” tweeted vice-president Venkaiah Naidu.
(with inputs from https://www.isro.gov.in/)
