The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched GSAT-7A from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sri Harikota in Andhra Pradesh at 4:10 PM on Wednesday. The military satellite weighing 2250kg was launched with launch vehicle GSLV-F-11 for better connectivity in operating unmanned aerial vehicles.
The GSAT-7A satellite will be active for 8 years. It uses ‘Ku band’ for better aircraft-to-aircraft communication and unmanned aerial vehicles also. GSAT-7A increases the networking capabilities by connecting many ground radar stations, airbases and aircrafts handled by the Indian Air Force.
Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa hailed the launch of GSAT-7A.
The satellite will be placed in a geosynchronous orbit about 36000 km from Earth. But it will be fully operational after a month.
GSLV-F-11 is a cryogenic launch vehicle with 3 stages to make the satellite reach the guided orbit using onboard propulsion system.
