According to sources the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Wednesday launched the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) carrying the GSAT-7A satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on Wednesday at 4.10 pm. Meanwhile GSLV-F11 successfully injected the 2,250-kg GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), just over 19 minutes after the lift-off.
As per report the satellite will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit (GEO) using the on-board propulsion system. It will take a few days after separation from the launcher to reach its orbital slot. Furthermore the satellite, with a maximum life of eight years, has been built to provide communication capability to the IAF in Ku-band over the Indian region. GSAT-7A is the 35th Indian Communication satellite built by ISRO. GSAT-7A Spacecraft is configured on ISRO’s standard I-2000 Kg (I-2K) Bus. The Satellite is built to provide communication capability to the users in Ku-band over the Indian region.
Reportedly GSLV–F11 is ISRO’s fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages. Hence the four liquid strap-ons and a solid rocket motor at the core form the first stage and the second stage is equipped with a high thrust engine using liquid fuel. Moreover the Cryogenic Upper Stage forms the third and final stage of the vehicle.
