GSAT–7, India's First Defence Satellite, Successfully Placed in the Geosynchronous Orbit

India’s advanced multi-band communication satellite GSAT-7, launched from Kourou, French Guiana on 30 August 2013, was successfully placed in the Geosynchronous Orbit with an altitude of about 36000 km above Earth’s surface on 3 September 2013. French Guiana is an overseas region of France on the North Atlantic coast of South America.

GSAT-7 was placed in the Geosynchronous Orbit after successfully completing the last of the three orbit-raising manoeuvres commanded from ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan. Later, on the same day, the communication antennae of GSAT-7, including the UHF Helix antenna, were deployed successfully. Thereafter, the GSAT-7 was put in its final orbital configuration, stabilised on its three-axis by the momentum wheels.

The GSAT-7 Satellite would reach its assigned orbital slot of 74 degree East longitude in the Geostationary Orbit within the next 10 days. It is planned that on 14 September 2013, the communication transponders in UHF, S, C and Ku bands will be switched on.

The GSLV Vehicle assembly and checkout would be completed at the Vehicle Assembly Building by the first week of December 2013 and the launch would take place by December 2013.

About GSAT–7

• It is an advanced communication satellite that will help by providing low bit rate voice to high bit rate data communication.
• Payload of the GSAT–7 is designed to provide communication capabilities to users in distant oceanic regions.
• Its solar arrays generate 2900 W of electrical power.

What is Geosynchronous Orbit?

Geosynchronous Orbit is also abbreviated as GSO. It is the orbit around Earth which has the orbital period of one sidereal day or around 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds. This sidereal day matches the Earth's sidereal rotation period.