Isro places GSAT-6A communication satellite in orbit: All you need to know

The mission life of spacecraft planned is about 10 years

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Thursday successfully launched communication satellite GSAT-6A, on board its geosynchronous rocket GSLV-F08, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The 27-hour countdown ended at 4:56 pm. The satellite, with a mission life of about 10 years, would provide a thrust to mobile communication through a multi-beam coverage facility, the Isro said. The launch vehicle, about 49.1-metre-tall and weighing 415.6 tonnes, is fitted with an indigenously developed third-stage cryogenic engine. 

About 18 minutes after the launch, the GSAT-6A was put on the orbit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Isro. “Congratulations… on the successful launch of GSLV-F08 with indigenous cryogenic stage,” he tweeted.

This is the 12th flight of the GSLV rocket and the sixth with and indigenous cryogenic upper stage. The 2,140-kg GSAT-6A is a high-powered S-band communication satellite and would complement the services provided by GSAT 6 since its launch in 2015. It will be a technology demonstrator for high-power S-band transmission from the satellite for supporting two-way communication, according to Isro. The satellite will also provide a platform for developing technologies such as demonstration of 6m S-Band Unfurlable Antenna, handheld ground terminals and network management techniques that could be useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications.

ISRO's GSLV-F08 carrying GSAT-6A communication satellite blasts off into the orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota (Photo: PTI)

K Sivan, chairman, Isro said, “The GSAT-6A will complement GSAT-6 launched earlier. The two satellites will provide platform for advanced technologies for point-to-point communication.”

He said the GSLV rocket had major improvements to enhance its performance. The induction of high thrust Vikas engine enhances the performance capacity of the second stage by around 6 per cent.

The GSAT 6A was in news, but with a controversial touch earlier. This was one satellite, along with GSAT 6, which was launched already, mentioned in the foiled Antrix- Devas deal. Under the $300 million deal, a majority of the S-Band wavelength of the communication satellite was allegedly offered to Devas by leasing almost 90 per cent of the transponders in GSAT 6 and GSAT 6A, as per earlier reports. 

* 12th flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)

* Sixth flight with Indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage

* GSLV-F08 height 49.1 m and weight 415.6 tonnes

* GSAT-6 is a high power S-band communication satellite configured around I-2K bus.

* Mission life planned is about 10 years