GSAT-6A

GSAT-6A
Mission type Communications
Operator ISRO
COSPAR ID 2018-027A
SATCAT no. 43241
Website www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/gsat-6a
Mission duration Planned: 10 years
Elapsed: 6 months, 18 days
Spacecraft properties
Bus I-2K
Manufacturer ISRO Satellite Centre
Space Applications Centre
Launch mass 2,140 kilograms (4,720 lb)
Dimensions 1.53 × 1.65 × 2.4 m (5.0 × 5.4 × 7.9 ft)
Power 3,119 watts
Start of mission
Launch date 29 March 2018, 11:26 (2018-03-29UTC11:26) UTC[1]
Rocket GSLV Mk.II
Launch site Satish Dhawan SLP
Contractor ISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Geostationary
Semi-major axis 37,552 kilometers (20,276 nmi)[2]
Eccentricity 0.1383056[2]
Perigee 29,580 kilometers (15,970 nmi)[2]
Apogee 36,367 kilometers (19,637 nmi)[2]
Inclination 3.29 degrees[2]
Period 20.8 hours[2]
RAAN 158.9 degrees[2]
Argument of perigee 184.72 degrees[2]
Mean anomaly 125.81 degrees[2]
Mean motion 1.19302622[2]
Epoch April 11, 2018[2]
Revolution no. 17[2]
Transponders
Coverage area India

GSAT-6A is a communications satellite operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation. It features a 6-metre (20 ft) unfurlable S-band antenna similar to the one used on GSAT-6.[1] Around 17 minutes after lift-off, the three stage GSLV Mk.ll rocket flying on GSLV F08 mission successfully injected the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

History

GSAT-6A is a satellite is launched to support the GSAT-6 satellite which was launched in August 2015 by ISRO. GSAT-6 satellite launched to improve the communication system, now with the GSAT-6A launch the communication will be better. As two satellite were used in the communication system, so the communication will be two-way communication. The first satellite GSAT-6 launched at the cost of ₹ 269 Crore and the second satellite launched at the cost of ₹ 147 Crore. In order to operate communication system by these satellites a 6-meter (20 ft) unfurlable S-band antenna which is similar to the one used on GSAT-6 has used. The size of S-Band antenna used in GSAT 6A is 3 times more in comparison with another satellite. Hence GSAT 6A will be more capacitive. As this satellite will provide mobile communication to India through multi-beam coverage.[3]

In the coming days, the scientists will fire the thrusters on board the satellite to manoeuvre it to a geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000km from Earth. The new GSLV is different from previous ones as ISRO has accompanied the new Vikas engine that gives 6% more thrust and 50% increased payload carrying capabilities. The next generation engine, which powered the rocket's second stage, has increased the payload capacity by 2.5 tonnes. [4]ISRO also stated that the communication satellite would also provide services to the Indian Armed Forces.

During the launch, ISRO tested a next generation high thrust Vikas engine, which powered the rocket's second stage. The improved engine increased the payload capability of the vehicle.[5] The second stage also had electromechanical actuation system replacing electrohydraulic actuation system to enhance the reliability of the rocket. Officials said any improvement done to the vehicle would be incorporated into GSLV's future missions, including Chandrayaan-2 planned for October 2018.[5] The satellite's six-metre wide antenna would unfurl once it is in space. The antenna, meant for S-band communication, is three times broader than those generally used in ISRO's satellites. This feature will enable the satellite to provide mobile communication for the country through handheld ground terminals. The smaller antenna in other communication satellites require larger ground stations.

While GSAT-6A will complement GSAT-6, ISRO sources said the satellite would also provide services to the Indian Armed Forces. GSAT-6 has been providing satellite communication services since its launch on August 27, 2015.

Loss of communication

The first orbit raising maneuver for GSAT-6A was carried out successfully on 30 March 2018 by firing the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) for 2188 seconds from 09:22 AM IST. The second orbit raising maneuver was carried out at 10:00 AM on 31 March 2018. As the satellite was on-course for its third and final orbit raising maneuver on 1 April 2018, communication was lost with the satellite. Efforts by ISRO are on to re-establish communication with the satellite.[6][7][8]

Tracking of the satellite

Asserting that ISRO scientists have located GSAT-6A, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan has hoped that contact with the satellite would be re-established soon.[9] As of September 2018, GSAT-6A is still not responding with ground station.

Satellite replacement

ISRO will launch GSAT-32 as a satellite replacement for GSAT-6A in October 2019.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "GSAT-6A". Indian Space Research Organisation. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "GSAT-6A Satellite details 2018-027A NORAD 43241". N2YO. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "ISRO Successfully Launched And Placed GSAT 6A Communication Satellite In Its Orbit". EDUCATIONALTECHS , edited by -Vikash Kushwaha. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "India's new satellite to boost armed forces". NDTV,edited by -Suraj Sarkar 1805. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 Clark, Stephen (29 March 2018). "India tests upgraded engine tech in successful communications satellite launch". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  6. ↑ "ISRO loses contact with GSAT-6A, trying to establish link". The Economic Times. April 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ https://www.isro.gov.in/update/30-mar-2018/first-orbit-raising-operation-of-gsat-6a-satellite-has-been-successfully-carried
  8. ↑ https://www.isro.gov.in/update/01-apr-2018/status-update-of-gsat-6a
  9. ↑ "We now know the exact location of GSAT-6A communication satellite, says Isro chief". April 10, 2018.
  10. ↑ "ISRO to launch GSAT-32 satellite in October 2019 to replace the silent GSAT-6A- Technology News, Firstpost". Tech2. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
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