GSAT - 7A: Indian Air Force's dedicated satellite for Network-centric warfare

 

GSAT - 7A, Source: ISRO

 

GSAT – 7A is the next satellite in line after GSAT –7 to be used exclusively for military communications. While the major user of GSAT – 7 was the Indian Navy, 7A would be primarily meant for Indian Air Force with Indian Army gaining 30% of its capacity.

It is a communications satellite which aims to improve the network-centric warfare capabilities of the Indian Air Force and its assets. Built around the same bus as that of the GSAT – 7: the I-2K, which is the standard bus for Indian communication satellites under 2000kg category. 

It was successfully launched on 19 December 2018 by GSLV-MKII F-11 from the second launch pad of Sriharikota. When it was launched, GSAT – 7A was the heaviest satellite carried by the MKII launch vehicle.

 

OBJECTIVE & PAYLOAD

Before GSAT-7A was launched, the Indian Air Force primarily relied on ground-based communication stations to connect their assets in the battlefield. However, with increasing assets and the need for a network-centric air force in modern warfare scenario, it was absolutely necessary for IAF to get a dedicated satellite. Costing around ₹500 - ₹800 crore, the satellite packs a wide suite of communication platforms to aid the IAF in achieving the capabilities required for a network-centric air force. 

The satellite packs 10 Ku transponders which gives much better performance than C-band. With higher up-link and downlink data transfer and low interference with ground-based systems, Ku band was an obvious choice. Apart from the 10 Ku transponders, it also has one fixed Gregorian antenna and four steerable antennas.

With Indian set to acquire state-of-the-art Predator drones from the USA, a dedicated communications satellite is a must since these high-altitude, long-endurance drones can be controlled remotely from thousands of kilometres away using a satellite link. 

 

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DRDO AEW&CS, Source: Wikipedia

 

 

It would also allow IAF to get a clear picture of the battlefield in real-time by integrating the satellite with high-value assets like Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&CS) and Airborne Early Warning And Control System (AWACS) with the whole force.

As for the general detail of the satellite, the basic parameters of the I-2K series remains pretty much the same. Weighing nearly 2250kg, the satellite is also equipped with 4 solar panels arranged as two arrays in either side of the satellite. A 440N bi-propellant thruster is also provided for station keeping. Expected life is to be around 8 years. It is learned that IAF would place a requirement for another GSAT satellite, titled GSAT -7C to boost the networking and connectivity of its assets.

Also Read: STUDSAT 

GSAT – 7A in a glimpse

• Launch Mass: 2250kg

• Launch Vehicle: GSLV – MkII F11

• Orbit altitude: 36,092km (apogee) / 35,800km (perigee)

• Inclination: 0.02 degrees

• Type/Application: Military Communication

•  Manufacturer: ISRO

• User: Indian Navy/Indian Army