GSAT-7A is an advanced military communications satellite meant primarily for the Indian Air Force with Indian Army using 30% of capacity.[1]
Overview
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.[2][3] The satellite is also used by Indian Army's Aviation Corps for real-time control and communication of its aviation operations.[4][5][6] India is in the process of acquiring high-altitude and long endurance satellite-controlled UAVs, such as American armed Predator-B or Sea Guardian drones, that can fire at enemy targets from long distances.[3]
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).[3] To boost its network-centric operations, the IAF is also likely to get another satellite GSAT-7C within a few years.[3]
The GSAT-7A, with a mission life of 8 years, is also equipped with the payload of 10 Ku band transponders,[2] 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.
- 10 channels in Ku band with switchable frequency for mobile users.
- Four steerable antennas
- One fixed Gregorian Antenna.
Launch
GSAT-7A weighing Template:Convert was successfully launched on 19 December 2018 by GSLV Mk II F11 rocket from Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre.[10] This three-stage launch vehicle 51 meters tall, has a lift-off mass of about 421 tonnes and indigenously developed cryogenic stage.[2][11]
See also
- Indian military satellites
- GSAT-7
- GSAT
- Indian National Satellite System
- Integrated Space Cell
- List of Indian satellites
References
- ↑ ISRO's GSAT-7A to add more heft to Air Force. The Hindu(2018-12-16). Retrieved 2018-12-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chandrayaan-2 on track, 32 missions next year: ISRO, Indian Express, 20 Dec 2018.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Why Isro's Gsat-7A launch is important for the Indian Air Force, Times of India, 19 Dec 2018.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named7a-iaf-ia - ↑ India's Tech Roadmap Points to Small Sats, Space Weapons.
- ↑ IAF to induct 214 fifth generation fighter jets.
- ↑ Space Applications Centre, Annual Report 2014-15. SAC. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ↑ GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A. pib.nic.in. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
- ↑ Department of Space Monthly Summary, September 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- ↑ Customer profile: ISRO GSAT-7/7A Project Director G. Shivanna.
- ↑ Indian space program closes out year with launch of upgraded GSLV – Spaceflight Now, Clark, Stephen. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
Template:GSAT Satellites Template:Indian spacecraft Template:Orbital launches in 2018