GSAT-7A
Military communications satellite
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Mission type | Communications |
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Operator |
Indian Air Force
Indian Army [1] |
COSPAR ID |
2018-105A
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SATCAT no. |
43864
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Mission duration |
Planned: 8 years
Elapsed: 4 years, 7 months, 8 days |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | I-2K |
Manufacturer |
ISRO Satellite Centre
Space Applications Centre |
Launch mass | 2,250 kilograms (4,960 lb) |
Power | 3.3 kilowatts [2] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date |
19 December 2018
10:40 UTC [3] |
Rocket | GSLV Mk.II F11 |
Launch site | Satish Dhawan SLP |
Contractor | ISRO |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Geostationary |
Slot | 63°E [4] |
Transponders | |
Band | Ku band |
Coverage area | India |
GSAT-7A is an advanced military communications satellite meant primarily for the Indian Air Force with Indian Army using 30% of capacity. [5]
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 the United States, 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 .
- 10 channels in Ku band with switchable frequency for mobile users.
- Four steerable antennas
- One fixed Gregorian Antenna .
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 2 "Isro to launch GSAT-7A tomorrow, communication satellite to give more power to forces" . Hindustan Times. 18 December 2018 . Retrieved 2018-12-18 .
- ↑ "GSLV-F11 GSAT-7A Launch Kit" . ISRO. Archived from the original on 2018-12-11 . Retrieved 2018-12-12 .
- ↑ "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A" . Retrieved 20 December 2018 .
- ↑ "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 .
- ↑ 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 .
- 1 2 3 Chandrayaan-2 on track, 32 missions next year: ISRO , Indian Express, 20 Dec 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Why Isro's Gsat-7A launch is important for the Indian Air Force , Times of India, 19 Dec 2018.
- ↑ "India's Tech Roadmap Points to Small Sats, Space Weapons" . Archived from the original on 2015-01-21.
- ↑ "IAF to induct 214 fifth generation fighter jets" . Archived from the original on 2011-10-06.
- ↑ "Space Applications Centre, Annual Report 2014-15" (PDF) . SAC . p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2017 . Retrieved 20 July 2019 .
- ↑ "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A" . pib.nic.in . Retrieved 2019-07-20 .
- ↑ "Department of Space Monthly Summary, September 2018" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2018 . Retrieved 19 July 2019 .
- ↑ "Customer profile: ISRO GSAT-7/7A Project Director G. Shivanna" . Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
- ↑ Clark, Stephen. "Indian space program closes out year with launch of upgraded GSLV – Spaceflight Now" . Retrieved 2018-12-20 .
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