Engineering:GSAT-7A

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Short description: Military communications satellite
GSAT-7A
GSAT-7A in delpoyed configuration.png
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorIndian Air Force
Indian Army[1]
Mission durationPlanned: 8 years
Elapsed: 5 years, 2 months, 3 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
← GSAT-11
GSAT-31 →
 

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.

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. 1.0 1.1 "Isro to launch GSAT-7A tomorrow, communication satellite to give more power to forces". Hindustan Times. 18 December 2018. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/isro-to-launch-gsat-7a-tomorrow-communication-satellite-to-give-more-power-to-forces/story-KRkEADhNeSYgFXE42fUrqK.html. 
  2. "GSLV-F11 GSAT-7A Launch Kit". ISRO. https://www.isro.gov.in/gslv-f11-gsat-7a-mission/launch-kit. 
  3. "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A". http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=186622. 
  4. "Specifications for 11m Ku‐Band Full Motion Antenna Systems". p. 10. https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/all_0.pdf. 
  5. D.s, Madhumathi (2018-12-16). "ISRO's GSAT-7A to add more heft to Air Force" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isros-gsat-7a-to-add-more-heft-to-air-force/article25758707.ece. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Chandrayaan-2 on track, 32 missions next year: ISRO, Indian Express, 20 Dec 2018.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 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". http://archive.defensenews.com/article/20130910/DEFREG03/309100007/India-s-Tech-Roadmap-Points-Small-Sats-Space-Weapons. 
  9. "IAF to induct 214 fifth generation fighter jets". http://ibnlive.in.com/news/iaf-to-induct-214-fifth-generation-fighter-jets/189940-3.html. 
  10. "Space Applications Centre, Annual Report 2014-15". p. 16. https://www.sac.gov.in/SACSITE/SAC%20Annual%20Report/SAC_Annual_Report_2014-2015.pdf. 
  11. "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A". http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=186622. 
  12. "Department of Space Monthly Summary, September 2018". https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/monthlysummarydos-092018.pdf. 
  13. "Customer profile: ISRO GSAT-7/7A Project Director G. Shivanna". http://arianespace.com/news-feature-story/2013/9-26-2013-G-Shivanna.asp. 
  14. Clark, Stephen. "Indian space program closes out year with launch of upgraded GSLV – Spaceflight Now" (in en-US). https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/12/19/indian-space-program-closes-out-year-with-launch-of-upgraded-gslv/.