ISRO successfully launches communication satellite GSAT-29

Communication satellite GSAT-29 was launched successfully by the second developmental flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV MKIII-D2) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

GSAT-29

Communication satellite GSTA-29 weighing 3,423 kg is a multiband and multi-beam satellite. The mission life will be 10 years.
The satellite’s Ku-band and Ka-band payloads will cater to the communication needs of people residing in remote parts of the country especially those from Jammu & Kashmir and North-Eastern regions. Similarly, the satellite’s Q/V-Band communication payload will help in demonstrating the future high throughput satellite system technologies. Additionally, the onboard Geo High Resolution Camera will help in carrying out high resolution imaging. The onboard Optical Communication Payload will showcase a very high rate data transmission through optical communication link. This unique laser based optical communication is being tested for the first time by the ISRO.

GSLV MKIII

GSLV MKIII is ISRO’s fifth generation three stage heavy lift launch vehicle. The launch vehicle is capable of placing satellites weighing 4000 kg in GTO. The first stage constitutes two massive boosters with solid propellants. The core with liquid propellant and the cryogenic engine constitutes the second and third stages respectively.

• The weight of GSLV Mark III is 641 tons roughly equals the weight of five fully loaded passenger aircrafts. GSLV MarkIII, which took 15 years to make, is the heaviest among India’s operational launch vehicles. Also, with only 43 meters tall, it is also the shortest launch vehicles.
• GSLV MKIII will be used to launch Chandrayaan-2 and Gaganyaan missions.

Significance

With the success of this flight, the Indian Space programme has achieved a significant milestone as the heaviest launcher (GSLV MKIII) lifted off the heaviest satellite (GSAT-29). The success of this mission is also an important milestone for the Indian space programme as it showcases the self-reliance of ISRO in launching heavier satellites. Also, the launch also signifies the completion of the experimental phase of GSLV MarkIII. The first successful mission of GSLV MarkIII was in 2014. In 2017, GSLV Mark III-D1 placed 3150 kg GSAT-19, a high throughput communication satellite into Geostationary Transfer orbit (GTO).
The launch of GSAT-29 communication satellite will pave for bridging the digital divide in the country. The launch of the satellite is also expected to aid Digital India Programme. The satellite is also intended to serve as a test bed for several new and critical next generation payload technologies. GSAT-29 is the 33^rd communication satellite of India.
The successful flight of GSAT-29 will constitute a series of experimental flights that will help in developing the heaviest rocket for the manned space missions of the ISRO. ISRO’s manned mission Gaganyaan is expected to lift of three Indian astronauts into space for a seven days trip to the Low-Earth Orbit. The mission is slated for 2022.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2018