Launch of GSAT to boost cell connection
Sriharikota ( Andhra Pradesh), March 29: India’s very powerful, home- made communications satellite, GSAT- 6A, shot off into the blue sky on Thursday, leaving a smoky trail, on the back of the heavyweight GSLV rocket. The successful launch by the scientists of space agency Isro drew praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 2066- ton satellite, built at a cost of ` 270 crore, will be able to send and receive signals from hand- held devices. It is expected to be particularly useful for security forces stationed in the remotest corners of the country.
The rocket also has a special feature — a new engine, which, if successful, will be crucial for India’s second Moon mission. The satellite, with a mission life of about ten years, would provide a thrust to mobile communication.
“Congratulations to Isro and other stakeholders on the successful launch of GSLV- F08 with indigenous cryogenic stage,” he tweeted.
“GSAT- 6A, a communication satellite, will provide new possibilities for mobile applications. Proud of ISRO for taking the nation towards new heights and a brighter future,” the PM’s twitter handle said.
Isro chief K Sivan said the fifth successive successful launch of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stage successfully placed the high power Sband communication satellite in the “designated orbit precisely.”
GSAT6A was a complement to GSAT6, which was already in orbit, and these two satellites combined will provide a platform for development of advanced technologies, he said. This is the first mission for Sivan, who assumed charge of the space agency in January. Right from the core stage ignition to the GSAT6A satellite separation, the entire launch was completed within the scheduled mission duration as the space agency had yet another precise launch.
This is the 12th flight of GSLV rocket and the sixth with indigenous cryogenic upper stage. The 2140- kg GSAT- 6A is a high power S- band communication satellite and would complement the services being provided by GSAT 6 since its launch in 2015.
It will be a technology demonstrator for high power S- band transmission from the satellite for supporting two- way communication, according to ISRO. The satellite will also provide a platform for developing technologies such as demonstration of 6 m S- Band Unfurlable Antenna, handheld ground terminals and network management techniques that could be useful in satellite- based mobile communication applications. Isro had made significant improvements in the GSLV Mk- II rocket including induction of high thrust Vikas engine in the second stage.