GSAT–7R Communication Satellite

GSAT–7R Communication Satellite

  • Context: 

  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched the Indian Navy's advanced communication satellite GSAT-7R (CMS-03) 

  • CMS-03 is the replacement for GSAT-7 satellite, launched in 2013 on Ariane-5 rocket, which has reached the end of its lifespan.  

  • About the Satellite: 

  • GSAT-7R is an indigenously designed and developed satellite 

  • Weighing approximately 4,400 kg, it is India's heaviest communication satellite to date. 

  • It is also the heaviest Indian-built communications satellite launched from Indian soil so far 

  • Purpose and Capabilities: 

  • The satellite marks a major milestone in strengthening the Navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness 

  • Payload: The payload, CMS-03, is a multiband communication satellite weighing 4,410 kg. It is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over Indian ocean region, including the Indian landmass. It is designed to provide services for at least 15 years. 

  • It is equipped with state-of-the-art indigenous components. 

  • It will provide robust and secure telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region 

  • Its advanced payload features transponders supporting voice, data, and video links over multiple communication bands 

  • This ensures seamless connectivity between the Navy's ships, submarines, aircraft, and Maritime Operations Centres 

  • Launch Vehicle and Orbit: 

  • ISRO launched the satellite aboard its most powerful launch vehicle, the LVM3, on its M5 mission 

  • The LVM3, formerly GSLV Mk-3, is ISRO’s most powerful rocket. It is capable of carrying up to 8,000 kg to low Earth orbit and 4,000 kg to geosynchronous orbit. 

  • The satellite was successfully inserted into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) 

  • Due to its high mass, the satellite will raise and circularise its orbit from the GTO using its onboard propulsion systems 

  • LVM3 uses a combination of solid, liquid, and cryogenic engines and has already launched key missions like Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and OneWeb satellites. 

  • Significance: 

  • ISRO has launched a satellite that was heavier than this.  

  • GSAT-11 (in 2018) weighed over 5,800 kg but had used the European Ariane-5 rocket.  

  • With CMS-03, ISRO has demonstrated the LVM3 rocket's capacity to routinely handle four-tonne-plus satellites to GTO from India thereby reducing dependence on foreign launchers.