ISRO's GSAT-6A Communication Satellite was launched from Sriharikota space port in Andhra Pradesh at 4:56 pm today. Leaving behind plumes of smoke, the 49.1 metre tall GSLV soared majestically into clear skies, carrying the 2,140 kg GSAT-6A satellite to be injected into a geostationary orbit at a height of about 36,000 km. The satellite is home-made and like its predecessor GSAT-6, the GSAT-6A too is a high power S-band communication satellite. It will complement GSAT-6, which has been orbiting Earth since August 2015 at 83 degrees East longitude. The two rockets in tandem will provide signals that would permit two-way exchange of data even from very remote locations where mobile connectivity is still limited, making it extremely useful for the armed forces.
- The GSAT-6A communication satellite weighs 2066 kg and cost around Rs 270 crore. The satellite will be able to send and receive signals from hand-held devices.
- Along with the cryogenic engine, the GSLV has a second engine: Vikas, which works on liquid propellants. In future, the Vikas engine may become the mainstay of Indian rockets and could even be deployed when India hoists the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
- The GSAT-6A carries one of the largest antennas ISRO has built, with a diameter of 6 meters, which will open up like an umbrella once the satellite is in orbit.
- The huge size of the antenna gives it more power, which ensures that a two-way exchange of data -- data, video or voice -- can be carried out through small hand-held devices from any corner of the country.
- This is India's second predominantly S-band communications satellite - first being the GSAT-6.
- GSAT-6A will provide mobile communication for India through multi-beam coverage facility.
- Apart from communications, the GSAT-6A satellite is believed to be designated for military use as well.
- The GSLV which carried the communications satellite has been dubbed the "Naughty Boy" of space agency by ISRO scientists as only five of GSLV's 11 earlier launches have been successful.
- The GSAT-6A is ISRO's last launch for the financial year 2017-18.
- The life span of the GSAT-6A mission will be around 10 years, says ISRO.
