Chennai: In a record seventh mission in 2018, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch 2,250 kg GSAT-7A, India’s Advanced Military Communication satellite, GSLV-F11 from the spaceport of Sriharikota on December 19.
In its 13th flight, the 50 m tall GSLV-F11 will lift off from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota, and 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.
”It will take few days after separation from launcher to reach its orbital slot”, ISRO sources said.
After 19 minutes after liftoff, the satellite, with a life span of eight years, will be placed in GTO at a Perigee off 170 km and an Apogee of 33,190 to 40,600 km with an inclination of 19.35 deg to the equator. GSAT-7A was an advanced military communications satellite meant exclusively for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
It would be similar to Indian Navy’s GSAT-7 launched on August 30,
2013 from French Guyana, and the IAF will be the sole operator of the satellite.
GSAT-7A will enable IAF to interlink different ground radar stations, ground airbase and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft such as Beriev A-50 Phalcon and DRDO AEW&CS. The satellite will enhance Network-centric warfare capabilities of the IAF and therefore enhance its global operations.
It would also provide a big boost for drone operations, helping in reducing the reliance on on-ground control stations and take satellite-control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).
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