The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II vehicle lifted-off with the two-tonne satellite from the second launch pad on the barrier island located in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
GSLV-F11 is the 13th flight of India's GSLV and the 7th flight of GSLV with indigenous Cryo stage. (Photo: ISRO)
The GSLV-F11 rocket carrying military communication satellite GSAT-7A was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Wednesday.
At 4.10 pm, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II vehicle lifted-off with the two-tonne satellite from the second launch pad on this barrier island located in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
The satellite is primarily for the use of the Indian Air Force (IAF) which will help the force connect its assets such as ground radar stations, ground airbase and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft besides controlling drones.
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Reports say that it will also be used by Indian Army’s Aviation Corps for its helicopters and UAV’s operations.
GSLV-F11 is the 13th flight of India’s GSLV and the 7th flight of GSLV with indigenous Cryo stage.
The satellite, which is built to provide communication services in Ku-band over the Indian region, will be in operation for eight years.
“Congratulate @isro for successfully launching the advanced communication satellite GSAT-7A, with launch vehicle GSLV-F11, from #Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh today. The 2250 kg satellite built by #ISRO will be a big boost to our defence capabilities. #GSAT7A #GSLVF11,” Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted.
Congratulate @isro for successfully launching the advanced communication satellite GSAT-7A, with launch vehicle GSLV-F11, from #Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh today. The 2250 kg satellite built by #ISRO will be a big boost to our defence capabilities. #GSAT7A #GSLVF11 pic.twitter.com/iiz1T2sZIJ
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) December 19, 2018
The GSLV is a three-stage rocket. The core of first stage is fired with solid fuel while the four strap-on motors by liquid fuel. The second is the liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine.
In November, ISRO put into orbit the sharp-eyed HysIS satellite for a range of applications and the data it generated by it will also be accessible by the Indian military.
In 2013, ISRO had sent up the GSAT7, or Rukmini, communication satellite, for use by the Indian Navy.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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