The Indian Space Research Agency (ISRO) launched into space a rocket with GSAT-7A communications satellite, designed to improve the capabilities of the country’s Air Force. The launch of the GSLV-Mk II carrier rocket, which was broadcast by all the major Indian television channels, took place at 16.12 India local time (10.42 GMT) from the Space Center on the island of Sriharikota.
According to the Chairman of the Indian Space Agency, Kailasavadivoo Sivan, it is a modern satellite that will link the communication channels of all the Indian army and equipment of the Air Force in a single network. In a 20-minute launch sequence, the GSLV-F11 took off from its Sriharikota launch pad and launched the GSAT-7A to a geosynchronous transfer at an altitude of 270 kilometers. The satellite has a Gregorian antenna, which is used to improve performance. The solar panels have been deployed and, as of December 20, the tracking team will start operating in Bengaluru.
Space Agency told that the launch of GSLV-F11 is the fourth generation. This vehicle is three-times long than previous. The first part of the rocket has a motor and solid fuel, while the other part has a liquid fuel and high capacity engine. At the same time, its third and upper part is the cryogenic engine. The chlorogenic phase is used to achieve super geostatic transfer orbit so that the life of the satellite can be extended. This is the seventh launch of 2018 from Sriharikota and is the 69th mission of GSLV-F11 for ISRO.
The rocket is expected to put the satellite into geostationary orbit, where it will operate for about nine years. According to experts, the implementation of the GSAT-7A project cost between 6,000 and 8,000 million RUPEES (between 850 and 1,150 million dollars). This is one of the most expensive communications satellites created in India.
