GSAT-30
-
- 1057
On 16 January 2020, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched telecommunication satellite GSAT-30 into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Kourou launch base, French Guiana by European Ariane-5 VA-251.
GSAT-30 satellite will replace INSAT-4A which was launched in 2005.
A European communication satellite named EUTELSAT KONNECT was also launched with GSAT-30.
What are the main features of GSAT-30?
GSAT-30 weighs 3,357-kg and will be gradually adjusted into an orbit 36,000 km from the earth.
It was launched from the foreign launcher because it is much heavier than the lifting capacity of its geostationary launch vehicle GSLV-MkII (It has the capacity to lift 2500kg).
The GSLV-MkIII can lift up to 4,000 kg, but ISRO plans to use the upcoming MkIIIs mainly for its first human space flight Gaganyaan of 2022.
What is the Significance of GSAT-30?
It will provide DTH (direct to home) television services, connectivity to VSATs (that support working of banks’) ATMs, stock exchange, television up linking and teleport services, digital satellite news gathering and e-governance applications.
The satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications.
The satellite provides Indian mainland and islands coverage in Ku-band and extended coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia.
What is Geosynchronous Orbit?
Geosynchronous satellites are launched into orbit in the same direction the Earth is spinning and can have any inclination, while geostationary orbit lie on the same plane as the equator.
In the case of geostationary satellites, the Earth’s force of gravity is exactly enough to provide acceleration required for circular motion.
To attain geostationary or geosynchronous earth orbits, a spacecraft is first launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
From the GTO the spacecraft uses its engines to shift to geostationary or geosynchronous orbit.
On 16 January 2020, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched telecommunication satellite GSAT-30 into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Kourou launch base, French Guiana by European Ariane-5 VA-251. GSAT-30 satellite will replace INSAT-4A which was launched in 2005. A European communication satellite named EUTELSAT KONNECT was also launched with GSAT-30. What are…
On 16 January 2020, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched telecommunication satellite GSAT-30 into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Kourou launch base, French Guiana by European Ariane-5 VA-251. GSAT-30 satellite will replace INSAT-4A which was launched in 2005. A European communication satellite named EUTELSAT KONNECT was also launched with GSAT-30. What are…