GSAT-7

Last updated
GSAT-7
Mission type Communication
Operator ISRO
COSPAR ID 2013-044B OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
SATCAT no. 39234
Mission durationPlanned: 7 years
Elapsed: 9 years, 5 months, 29 days
Spacecraft properties
Bus I-2K
Manufacturer ISRO Satellite Centre
Space Applications Centre
Launch mass2,650 kilograms (5,840 lb)
Power3 kilowatts
Start of mission
Launch date29 August 2013, 20:30 (2013-08-29UTC20:30Z) UTC
Rocket Ariane 5ECA
Launch site Kourou ELA-3
Contractor Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Geostationary
Longitude74° East
Perigee altitude 35,779 kilometres (22,232 mi)
Apogee altitude 35,806 kilometres (22,249 mi)
Inclination 0.06 degrees
Period 23.93 hours
Epoch 7 November 2013, 23:12:49 UTC [1]
Transponders
BandUHF
C-band
Ku-band
←  GSAT-10
GSAT-14  →
 

GSAT-7 or INSAT-4F is a multi-band military communications satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The Indian Navy is the user of the multi-band communication spacecraft, which has been operational since September 2013. According to defense experts, the satellite will enable the navy to extend its blue water capabilities and stop relying on foreign satellites like Inmarsat, which provide communication services to its ships. [2] [3]

Contents

Satellite

GSAT-7, the multi-band communication satellite named Rukmini [4] carries the payloads in UHF, C band and Ku band. It is the first dedicated military communication satellite (unlike earlier dual use satellites) built by ISRO that will provide services to the Indian Armed Forces [5] with the main user being the Indian Navy. [6] Its procured launch cost has been put at ₹480 crore, with the satellite costing ₹185 crore. [7] Cost of whole project per Memorandum of Understanding with ISRO was ₹950 crores. [8]

The multiple-band spacecraft will be used exclusively by the Navy to shore up secure, real-time communications among its warships, submarines, aircraft and land systems. GSAT-7/ INSAT-4F is said to significantly improve the country's naval operations around the world.

GSAT 7 satellite carrying payloads operating in UHF, S, C and Ku bands, had a lift-off mass of 2,650 kilograms (5,840 lb) and is based on ISRO's 2,000 kilograms (4,400 lb) class satellite bus I-2K with some new technological elements, including the antennae. [9] After a flight of almost 34 minutes, the satellite was injected into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) of 249-kilometre (155 mi) perigee, 35,929-kilometre (22,325 mi) apogee and an inclination of 3.5 degree with respect to the equator. [10]

ISRO launched a second satellite, GSAT-7A for Indian Air Force on 19 December 2018 on its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F11). [11] [12]

Launch

The satellite was launched early on 30 August 2013 atop an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. [13]

India's first dedicated military satellite was put into a geosynchronous orbit, about 36,000 kilometres (22,000 mi) above Earth, five days after it was launched after three orbit-raising manoeuvres from ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka. [14] The 2.5-tonne spacecraft's antennae, including the ultra high frequency Helix antenna were deployed before it was stabilised on its three-axis in the orbit. [15] All of the on-board transponders were switched on successfully on September 18, 2013 [16]

Capability

Rukmini will provide networking capabilities to various Indian Naval assets. During Theater-level Readiness and Operational Exercise (Tropex) in the Bay of Bengal in 2014, Rukmini was able to network about 60 ships and 75 aircraft seamlessly. Rukmini has a nearly 2,000 nautical mile 'footprint' over the Indian Ocean Region. [17]

Replacement

The Indian Navy placed an order for GSAT-7R on June 11, 2019. GSAT-7R is expected to eventually replace GSAT-7. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian National Satellite System</span> Series of multipurpose geo-stationary satellites launched by ISRO

The Indian National Satellite System or INSAT, is a series of multipurpose geostationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is the largest domestic communication system in the Indo-Pacific Region. It is a joint venture of the Department of Space, Department of Telecommunications, India Meteorological Department, All India Radio and Doordarshan. The overall coordination and management of INSAT system rests with the Secretary-level INSAT Coordination Committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle</span> Indian satellite launch vehicle

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is an expendable launch system operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). GSLV was used in fourteen launches from 2001 to 2021. Even though GSLV Mark III shares the name, it is an entirely different launch vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Space Research Organisation</span> Indias national space agency

The Indian Space Research Organisation is the national space agency of India, headquartered in Bangalore. It operates under the Department of Space (DOS) which is directly overseen by the Prime Minister of India, while the Chairman of ISRO acts as the executive of DOS as well. ISRO is India's primary agency for performing tasks related to space-based applications, space exploration and the development of related technologies. It is one of six government space agencies in the world which possess full launch capabilities, deploy cryogenic engines, launch extraterrestrial missions and operate large fleets of artificial satellites.

GSAT-3, also known as EDUSAT, was a communications satellite which was launched on 20 September 2004 by the Indian Space Research Organisation. EDUSAT is the first Indian satellite built exclusively to serve the educational sector. It is mainly intended to meet the demand for an interactive satellite-based distance education system for the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT</span>

The GSAT satellites are India's indigenously developed communications satellites, used for digital audio, data and video broadcasting. As of 5 December 2018, 20 GSAT satellites of ISRO have been launched out of which 14 satellites are in service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LVM 3</span> Indian medium-lift launch vehicle

The Launch Vehicle Mark-3, previously referred as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Primarily designed to launch communication satellites into geostationary orbit, it is also due to launch crewed missions under the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. GSLV Mk III has a higher payload capacity than it's predecessor, GSLV Mk II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT-4</span>

GSAT-4, also known as HealthSat, was an experimental communication and navigation satellite launched in April 2010 by the Indian Space Research Organisation on the maiden flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk.II rocket. It failed to reach orbit after the rocket's third stage malfunctioned. The third stage was the first Indian-built cryogenic-fuelled upper stage, and was making its first flight. The ISRO suspects that the failure was caused by the third stage not igniting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Control Facility</span> Space research facility in Hassan, India

The Master Control Facility (MCF) is a facility set up by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the city of Hassan in the Indian state of Karnataka. Established in 1982, this facility is responsible for monitoring and controlling geostationary and geosynchronous satellites launched by ISRO. This was the only Master Control Facility of ISRO till another one was established in Bhopal in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INSAT-4A</span>

INSAT-4A was the first one in the INSAT-4 Satellites series, providing services in the Ku and C band frequency bands. At the time of launch, it was the heaviest satellite India had produced. The Ku transponders cover the Indian main land and C-Band transponders cover an extended area. It has a dozen Ku transponders and another dozen of C-band transponders. This spacecraft was placed at 83°E along with INSAT-2E and INSAT-3B, by Ariane launch vehicle (ARIANE5-V169).

GSAT-5P, or GSAT-5 Prime, was an Indian communications satellite which was lost in a launch failure in December 2010. Part of the Indian National Satellite System, it was intended to operate in geosynchronous orbit as a replacement for INSAT-3E.

INSAT-4CR was a communications satellite operated by ISRO as part of the Indian National Satellite System. Launched in September 2007, it replaced the INSAT-4C satellite which had been lost in a launch failure the previous year. The satellite was initially stationed in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 74 degrees east, with expected operational life of at least ten years, however this may have been reduced by the underperformance of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle which placed it into orbit. INSAT-4CR is planned to be replaced by GSAT-31, which was launched on February 6, 2019.

GSAT-14 is an Indian communications satellite launched in January 2014. It replaced the GSAT-3 satellite, which was launched in 2004. GSAT-14 was launched by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk.II, which incorporated an Indian-built cryogenic engine on the third stage.

GSAT-10 is an Indian communication satellite which was launched by Ariane-5ECA carrier rocket in September 2012. It has 12 KU Band, 12 C Band and 6 lower extended c band transponders, and included a navigation payload to augment GAGAN capacity. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in Geosynchronous orbit at 83.0° East, from where it will provide communication services in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INSAT-4E</span>

INSAT-4E, also known as GSAT-6, is a member of the INSAT family and is a multimedia communication satellite that will offer a Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (S-DMB) service across several digital multimedia terminals or consoles which can be used to provide information services to vehicles on the fly and to the mobile phones. The satellite can be used for other social and strategic applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Asia Satellite</span>

The South Asia Satellite, formerly known as SAARC Satellite, is a geostationary communications and meteorology satellite operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. The satellite was launched on 5 May 2017. During the 18th SAARC summit held in Nepal in 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mooted the idea of a satellite serving the needs of SAARC member nations as a part of his neighbourhood first policy. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the users of the multi-dimensional facilities provided by the satellite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT-6A</span>

GSAT-6A was a communication satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) It featured a 6-metre (20 ft) unfurlable S-band antenna similar to the one used on GSAT-6. Around 17 minutes after lift-off, the three stage GSLV Mk.II rocket flying on GSLV F08 mission successfully injected the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Due to power failure during its orbit raising burns the communication was lost with GSAT-6A before it could reach its final circular geostationary orbit (GSO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT-29</span> Indian communication satellite

GSAT-29 is a high-throughput communication satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission aims at providing high-speed bandwidth to Village Resource Centres (VRC) in rural areas. The two Ku and Ka operational payloads will provide communication services to Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India under Digital India programme. At the time of launch GSAT-29 was the heaviest satellite, weighing 3,423 kg (7,546 lb), that was placed in orbit by an Indian launch vehicle. Approved cost of GSAT-29 is ₹175.63 crore (US$22 million).

References

  1. ↑ Peat, Chris (7 November 2013). "GSAT 7 - Orbit". Heavens Above. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Defence News - Indian 'military' satellite put into Earth's orbit". Archived from the original on 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2013-09-04. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-30/india/41617825_1_advanced-communication-satellite-gslv-gsat-7 Archived 2013-09-01 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "INSAT-4 series satellite launches". rediff.com. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
  4. ↑ "GSAT-7 to boost India's military capabilities". The Times of India . 30 August 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "First naval satellite may be launched this year". Deccan Herald . March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  6. ↑ "GSAT-7 [INSAT-4F] - India's military communication satellite [Indian Navy]". July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  7. ↑ "What is GSAT-7 Rukmini?". The Indian Express. 2017-07-05. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  8. ↑ "Ministry of Defence, Demands for Grants (2010-2011)" (PDF). The cost of the Project as per Memorandum of Understanding signed with ISRO is Rs. 950 crores.
  9. ↑ "SALIENT FEATURES OF GSAT-7". 2017-08-20. Archived from the original on 2017-08-20. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  10. ↑ "India's first defence satellite GSAT-7 launched successfully | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 30 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  12. ↑ "12 Missions, 12 Months - ISRO's Mega Plan For 2018 Revealed. Details Here". NDTV.com. NDTV. April 16, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  13. ↑ "India's Advanced Communication Satellite GSAT-7 Launched Successfully". ISRO. 2013-08-30. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  14. ↑ "India's first 'military' satellite GSAT-7 put into earth's orbit". NDTV. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  15. ↑ "Indian 'military' satellite put into earth's orbit – Indistan News – National, Political and States News". Indistannews.com. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  16. ↑ "GSAT-7 Transponders Successfully Switched ON". Indian Space Research Organisation. September 18, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Straits of Malacca: Indian Navy joins search for missing Malaysian plane in the Malacca Straits | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 11 March 2014.
  18. ↑ Pubby, Manu (2019-07-18). "Navy to buy Rs 1,589 crore satellite from ISRO". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.