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India. Indian Navy

India Successfully Launches GSAT-7R Satellite, Boosting Maritime Security

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a major milestone in its space exploration endeavors with the successful launch of the GSAT-7R satellite, a 4.4-ton military satellite designed to provide robust telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region. The satellite, which was launched by an LVM3 rocket, will significantly enhance connectivity with high-capacity bandwidth, enabling seamless and secure communication links between ships, aircraft, submarines, and Maritime Operations Centres of the Indian Navy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The GSAT-7R satellite will provide robust telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region, supporting voice, data, and video links over multiple communication bands.
  • The satellite will significantly enhance connectivity with high-capacity bandwidth, enabling seamless and secure communication links between ships, aircraft, submarines, and Maritime Operations Centres of the Indian Navy.
  • The GSAT-7R satellite will replace the 2.65-ton GSAT-7 (Rukmini) launched in 2013.
  • The LVM3 rocket's carrying capacity was increased by 10% to successfully launch the 4.4-ton satellite.
  • The satellite will provide its services for 15 years.
  • The successful launch marks the eighth successive mission of the LVM3 rocket.
  • The GSAT-7R satellite has the biggest propellant tank among all Indian satellites.
  • ISRO is gearing up to have seven more launches before the end of this fiscal, including the launch of a customer satellite with an LVM3 rocket and a geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) to launch a geoimaging satellite GISAT.
  • The robot Vyommitra will be flown in the uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which will feature three uncrewed missions, with one happening this fiscal.
  • The ISRO Chairmanhas announced that most of the hardware has reached the rocket port and assembly activities are on for the Gaganyaan mission.

Statistics:

  • The GSAT-7R satellite weighs 4.4 tons and has a carrying capacity of 4.4 tons, increasing the LVM3 rocket's carrying capacity by 10%.
  • The satellite will provide its services for 15 years.
  • The successful launch marks the eighth successive mission of the LVM3 rocket.
  • ISRO is gearing up to have seven more launches before the end of this fiscal.
  • The LVM3 rocket weighs 642 tons and stands 43.5 meters tall.
  • The GSAT-7R satellite is the heaviest communication satellite to be launched by an Indian rocket from Sriharikota rocket port.

Sources:

  • "India launches new military satellite GSAT-7R" by United News of India, November 2, 2023
  • "ISRO successfully launches GSAT-7R satellite" by HT Digital Content Services, November 2, 2023
  • "India's LVM3 rocket lifts off from Sriharikota, carries GSAT-7R satellite to orbit" by United News of India, November 2, 2023
  • "ISRO gears up for 7 more launches before fiscal end" by HT Digital Content Services, November 2, 2023
  • "Gaganyaan mission: ISRO Chairman announces hardware arrived, assembly on" by HT Digital Content Services, November 2, 2023

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