India's 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 launched successfully

GSAT-31 will be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH-television services and cellular backhaul connectivity

India's 40th communication satelliteGSAT-31 was successfully placed in orbit on Wednesday by an Ariane5 rocket from French Guiana. The satellite will cover both the mainland and islands of the country and provide communication services such as DTH, ATMs connectivity and emergency communication, etc. 

The rocket, which carried the 2,535-kg satellite, blasted off from the spaceport in French Guiana at 02:31 am (IST) as scheduled.

GSAT-31 is India's 40th communication satellite, which is configured based on the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) enhanced I-2K Bus. It utilises the maximum bus capabilities of this type. 

"Designed and developed by Isro, GSAT-31 is a high-power communication satellite in the Ku-band," said Ratan Shrivastava, advisor (space division), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Shrivastava said that the satellite will significantly add to the Ku-band capacity for VSAT application. "It will enhance VSAT services for banking, e-governance, telecom bulk data transfers and communication for disaster management. It can also be configured for DTH services," he added.  

It has 19 Ku-band transponders, with flexible frequency segment and flexible coverage providing effective communication in varied topology and remote areas of the country. It will also provide continuity to the INSAT 4CR and 4A. 

With a mission life of around 15 years, GSAT-31 will be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH-television services, cellular backhaul connectivity and many such applications. 

It will also provide wide-beam coverage to facilitate communication over large oceanic regions, comprising large parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, using a wide-band transponder. 

According to ISRO, two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted for ground tracking purposes. This satellite will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in geostationary orbit.

GSAT-31 will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites. The satellite derives its heritage from Isro's earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series. 

After a 42-minute flight, GSAT-31 separated from the Ariane 5 upper stage in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) 

of 250 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 35,850 km, inclined at an angle of 3.0 degrees to the equator. 

GSAT-31 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series. 

“GSAT-31 has a unique configuration of providing flexible frequency segments and flexible coverage. The satellite will provide communication services to Indian mainland and islands” ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan said.

Five things to know about GSAT-31

• Brief: 40th communication satellite of India
• Weight: 2,535 kgs
• Mission life: 15 years
• Coverage area: Indian mainland and Island
• Benefits: Will support VSAT banking application, for disaster management, e-governance, stock markets, among others