GSAT-31

 GSAT-31 is the latest communication satellite in the GSAT series owned by ISRO which is the 40^th communication satellite of India and 22^nd launch of ISRO satellite by Arianespace.

LAUNCH:

GSAT-31 was launched on 5^th February 2019 through 103^rd flight of Ariance 5 VCA. This was launched from Kourou Launch Base, French Guiana with a lift-off mass of 2536 Kg.

Source-ISRO

Read: GSAT - 17

CONFIGURATION:

It consists of perigee of 250 km and an apogee of 35,850 km in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with an inclination of 3° to the equator and will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary satellite.

GSAT-31 is configured on ISRO’s enhanced I-2K Bus, utilising the maximum bus capabilities of this type.

This has a unique configuration of providing flexible frequency segments and flexible coverage. It provides communication services to the Indian mainland and island.

GSAT-31 undergoes different tests like vibration test, reflector deployment test, the centre of gravity test, solar panel deployment test which are necessary for a successful launch and working of the satellite.

Different test procedure followed by GSAT-31  (Credit-ISRO)

Also Read: GSAT - 02

APPLICATIONS:

GSAT-31 provides continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellite. It derives it’s a heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series.

GSAT-31 will also be used for supporting VSAT networks, Television uplinks, Digital Satellite News Gathering(DSNG), DTH-television services, cellular backhaul connectivity and e-governance applications.

Two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted by the satellite for ground tracking purpose. The satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications.

 GSAT-31 also provides wide beam coverage to facilitate communication over a large oceanic the region comprising a large part of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and The Indian Ocean using a wideband transponder.

 

GSAT-31 OUTLINE:

Launch mass      -2536 kg

Launch vehicle   -Ariance 5 VCA(VA-247)

Launch Site        -Kourou ELA-3

Power                 -4.7 KW

Inclination          -3°

Payload              -Ku-band transponders

Mission life         -15 years

Regime               -Geostationary

Application         -Communication

Operator              -ISRO