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Satellites (Spacecraft)

ISRO Launches Heaviest Communication Satellite Gsat-7R to Enhance Telecommunication Coverage in Indian Ocean Region

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched the 4,410kg Communication Satellite-03 (CMS-03) or Gsat-7R, a communication satellite designed to enhance telecommunication coverage across the strategic Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for the Indian Navy. The launch marked the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 rocket and witnessed a new in-orbit experiment, a successful re-ignition of the cryogenic upper stage. Gsat-7R is intended to replace Gsat-7 (Rukmini), primarily dedicated to the Indian Navy, and is equipped with many indigenous state-of-the-art components developed to meet the Navy's operational requirements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gsat-7R satellite weighs 4,410kg and is designed to enhance telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for the Indian Navy.
  • The launch marked the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 rocket, which placed Gsat-7R into a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO) with a perigee of only 26,700km.
  • The satellite includes many indigenous state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet the Indian Navy's operational requirements.
  • Gsat-7R is intended to replace Gsat-7 (Rukmini), primarily dedicated to the Indian Navy.
  • The launch also witnessed a new in-orbit experiment, a successful re-ignition of the cryogenic upper stage.
  • The mission was accomplished despite difficult weather conditions.
  • The satellite has a life of 15 years and carries a host of new technologies.

Statistics:

  • Weight of the Gsat-7R satellite: 4,410kg
  • Perigee of Gsat-7R in sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO): 26,700km
  • Life of the Gsat-7R satellite: 15 years
  • Number of operational flights of the LVM3 rocket: 5

Sources:

  • Isro Sunday launched the 4,410kg CMS-03 or the Gsat-7R, a communication satellite that will enhance telecommunication coverage across the strategic Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for the Indian Navy. [Source: The Hindu, Date: Not specified in source]
  • The launch of the heaviest communication satellite from Indian soil onboard LVM3-M5 from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, marked the fifth operational flight of LVM3. [Source: The Hindu, Date: Not specified in source]
  • Isro chairman V Narayanan said: "...The vehicle performance was enhanced to increase its payload capacity by 10%. The satellite has a life of 15 years and carries a host of new technologies." [Source: The Hindu, Date: Not specified in source]

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