Communication Satellite GSAT-30: Things You Need to Know

Communication Satellite GSAT-30: In a major achievement, India has launched its latest communication  satellite  GSAT-30  successfully  launched  from the  Spaceport  in  French Guiana.   The  launch  vehicle Ariane  5  VA-251  lifted  off from  Kourou  Launch  Base, French Guiana  at  2:35  am  IST carrying  India’s  GSAT-30  and  EUTELSAT  KONNECT  for Eutelsat,  as  scheduled. 

With  a  lift-off  mass  of  3357  kg,  Communication Satellite GSAT-30 will  provide continuity  to  operational services  on some of  the  in-orbit satellites.  GSAT-30  derives  its  heritage  from ISRO’s  earlier INSAT/GSAT  satellite  series  and  will  replace INSAT-4A  in orbit. Here is all the important facts regarding the India’s Communication Satellite GSAT-30 which you need to know. 

“GSAT-30  has  a  unique  configuration  of  providing  flexible frequency  segments and  flexible  coverage.    The  satellite  will provide  communication  services  to Indian  mainland  and  islands  through  Ku-band  and  wide  coverage  covering  Gulf countries, a large  number  of  Asian  countries  and  Australia  through  C-band” ISRO Chairman  Dr K Sivan  said. 

Dr.  Sivan  also  said  that  “GSAT-30  will  provide  DTH Television  Services, connectivity  to  VSATs  for  ATM,  Stock-exchange,  Television  uplinking  and Teleport  Services,  Digital Satellite  News  Gathering  (DSNG)  and  e-governance applications.  The  satellite  will  also  be  used  for  bulk  data transfer  for  a  host  of emerging  telecommunication  applications.”   

ISRO’s  Master  Control  Facility  (MCF)  at  Hassan  in  Karnataka took  over  the command  and  control  of  GSAT-30  immediately after  its  separation  from  the launch  vehicle.  Preliminary  health checks  of  the  satellite  revealed  its  normal health.

In  the  days  ahead,  orbit-raising  manoeuvres  will  be  performed to  place  the satellite  in  Geostationary  Orbit  (36,000  km  above the  equator)  by  using  its  onboard  propulsion  system.

During  the  final  stages  of  its  orbit  raising  operations,  the  two solar  arrays  and  the antenna  reflectors  of  Communication Satellite GSAT-30  will  be deployed.    Following  this,  the satellite  will be  put  in  its  final orbital  configuration.    The satellite  will  be  operational  after  the successful  completion  of all  in-orbit  tests.