Satellite could become space debris if link not established

chennai — Indian communication satellite GSAT-6A would become a space debris if the Indian space agency does not reestablish communication link with it, said experts. They also said Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) ability to link up again with the Rs2.7 billion crore GSAT-6A satellite seemed to be remote as it was more than 48 hours since the communication got snapped.

The experts spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“If the communication link is not established, then the GSAT6A is nothing but space debris. But this will be a fully loaded debris as its onboard motors have fuel for raising its orbit and also for its entire life span of around 10 years,” a space expert said.

Isro suspects the failure of the power systems in the satellite for the loss of communication link.

“The satellites are powered by solar panels that charge the onboard batteries. The batteries are fully charged when the satellite is loaded on to the rocket. Even if there is a problem with the solar panel, then the battery power should have kicked in. Here the entire power system of the satellite seems to have failed,” one expert said. According to experts, the power system could have failed due to some short circuiting or arcing resulting in what is known in the space terminology ‘loss of lock’ or loss of contact with the ground station.

Satellites in space are locked to ground stations for tracking and other purposes.

Experts said the GSAT-6A satellite might take around 18-19 hours to orbit the earth once and if the satellite has lost ground control then it will be drifting towards the East.—