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GSAT-6A
Indian telecommunications satellite From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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).
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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 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]
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See also
References
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