 | |
| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | Indian Air Force Indian Army[1] |
| COSPAR ID | 2018-105A  |
| SATCAT no. | 43864 |
| Mission duration | Planned: 8 years Elapsed: 5 years, 6 months, 24 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | I-2K |
| Manufacturer | ISRO Satellite Centre Space Applications Centre |
| Launch mass | 2,250 kilograms (4,960 lb) |
| Power | 3.3 kilowatts[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 19 December 2018 10:40 UTC[3] |
| Rocket | GSLV Mk.II F11 |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan SLP |
| Contractor | ISRO |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Slot | 63°E[4] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Ku band |
| Coverage area | India |
|
← GSAT-11
GSAT-31 →
| |
GSAT-7A is an advanced military communications satellite meant primarily for the Indian Air Force with Indian Army using 30% of capacity.[5]
GSAT-7A allows IAF to interlink different ground radar stations, ground airbase, aircraft to aircraft Real-time Control System, Airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft such as Beriev A-50 Phalcon and DRDO AEW&CS. The satellite enhances Network-centric warfare capabilities of the Indian Air Force and its global operations.[6][7] The satellite is also used by Indian Army's Aviation Corps for real-time control and communication of its aviation operations.[1][8][9] India is in the process of acquiring high-altitude and long endurance satellite-controlled UAVs, such as American armed Predator-BorSea Guardian drones, that can fire at enemy targets from long distances.[7]
As of December 2018, there are 320 dual use or dedicated military satellite in the sky, half of which are owned by the United States, followed by Russia, China and India (14).[7] To boost its network-centric operations, the IAF is also likely to get another satellite GSAT-7C within a few years.[7]
The GSAT-7A, with a mission life of 8 years, is also equipped with the payload of 10 Ku band transponders,[6] which offers several advantages over c-band, such more powerful satellite uplink and downlink signals, smaller antennas, and non-interference of communication signals with terrestrial microwave systems.
GSAT-7A weighing 2,250 kilograms (4,960 lb) was successfully launched on 19 December 2018 by GSLV Mk II F11 rocket from Second Launch PadofSatish Dhawan Space Centre.[13] This three-stage launch vehicle 51 meters tall, has a lift-off mass of about 421 tonnes and indigenously developed cryogenic stage.[6][14]
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