GSAT-6A was a communication satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) It featured a 6-metre (20 ft) unfurlable S-band antenna similar to the one used on GSAT-6.[1] Around 17 minutes after lift-off, the three stage GSLV Mk.II rocket flying on GSLV F08 mission successfully injected the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.[3] Due to power failure during its orbit raising burns the communication was lost with GSAT-6A[4][5] before it could reach its final circular geostationary orbit (GSO).

Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...
GSAT-6A
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Mission typeCommunications
OperatorISRO
COSPAR ID2018-027A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.43241
Websitewww.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/gsat-6a
Mission durationPlanned: 10 years
Spacecraft properties
BusI-2K
ManufacturerISRO Satellite Centre
Space Applications Centre
Launch mass2,117 kilograms (4,667 lb)
Dimensions1.53 × 1.65 × 2.4 m (5.0 × 5.4 × 7.9 ft)
Power3,119 watts
Start of mission
Launch date29 March 2018, 11:26 (2018-03-29UTC11:26) UTC[1]
RocketGSLV Mk.II F08
Launch siteSatish Dhawan SLP
ContractorISRO
Entered serviceFailed before being operational
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Slot83°E (Planned)
Semi-major axis37,552 kilometers (20,276 nmi)[2]
Eccentricity0.1383056[2]
Perigee altitude29,580 kilometers (15,970 nmi)[2]
Apogee altitude36,367 kilometers (19,637 nmi)[2]
Inclination3.29 degrees[2]
Period20.8 hours[2]
RAAN158.9 degrees[2]
Argument of perigee184.72 degrees[2]
Mean anomaly125.81 degrees[2]
Mean motion1.19302622[2]
EpochApril 11, 2018[2]
Revolution no.17[2]
Transponders
Coverage areaIndia
 GSAT-17
GSAT-11 
Close

History

GSAT-6A was launched to complement GSAT-6 satellite which was launched in August 2015 by ISRO. The cost of building GSAT-6A was around ₹270 crore.[6][7][8] GSAT-6A was to provide mobile communication services to the Indian Armed Forces.[9]

Launch

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GSLV F08 launch from SLP

GSLV-F08 carrying GSAT-6A spacecraft was launched from Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 29 March 2018, 11:26 UTC and after flight of 17 minutes 45 seconds,[10] placed GSAT-6A into its planned geostationary transfer orbit with 36,692.5 kilometres (22,799.7 mi) apogee, 169.4 kilometres (105.3 mi) perigee and orbital inclination of 20.64°. GSAT-6A spacecraft deployed its solar array after separation from CUS and established contact with ground station.[11]

On GSLV-F08, a High Thrust Vikas engine (HTVE) was inducted on second stage (GS2) of GSLV with 6% higher thrust than before.[12][13] The improved engine increased the payload capability of the vehicle.[10] The electrohydraulic actuation system on second stage was also replaced with simpler and robust electromechanical system.[13] The Cryogenic Upper Stage of GSLV F08 performed a burn to depletion for the first time. Officials said any improvement done to the vehicle would be incorporated into GSLV's future missions.[10]

Loss of communication

The first orbit raising maneuver for GSAT-6A was carried out as planned on 30 March 2018 by firing the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) for 2188 seconds from 09:22 AM IST. The second orbit raising maneuver was carried out at 10:00 AM on 31 March 2018. As the satellite was on-course for its third and final orbit raising maneuver on 1 April 2018, communication with it was lost and the spacecraft was temporarily untraceable.[14][15][5] After regaining its track,[16] efforts to re-establish communication with the satellite could not succeed.[17][18] Power system malfunction was suspected to be the reason behind loss of contact.[19][20][21]

Satellite replacement

ISRO will launch GSAT-32 satellite as replacement for GSAT-6A.[22]

See also

References

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