ISRO and Indian Navy Collaborate for Enhanced Maritime Security
In a path-breaking achievement for India's defence and space capabilities, the Indian Space Research Organisation on Sunday successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite- GSAT-7R or CMS03- from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
The satellite, weighing 4,410 kg, was carried into space by LVM3-M5, the fifth operational flight of India’s most powerful launch vehicle. The mission also achieved an important technological milestone - a successful re-ignition of the cryogenic upper stage in orbit. About 16 minutes into the launch, GSAT-7R was injected into a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO) with a perigee of approximately 26,700 km.
GSAT-7R is intended to replace the earlier GSAT-7 “Rukmini” launched in 2013 and will provide dedicated communication resources for the Indian Navy, continuously bridging the vast IOR. It embodies the most up-to-date indigenous technologies with customised features for maritime operations, affirming India's push toward self-reliant defence communication systems.
A Navy spokesperson remarked, “GSAT-7R underscores India’s commitment to securing its maritime frontiers with home-grown, cutting-edge technology.” Featuring multi-band transponders in UHF, S-band, C-band, and Ku-band, the satellite will establish secure voice, data and video links among the ships, submarines, aircraft and Maritime Operations Centres, thus enhancing the network-centric warfare capabilities.
As M. Sankaran, Director of the UR Rao Satellite Centre, explained, the satellite is equipped with a 1,200-litre propulsion tank and collapsible antenna systems to assure efficient deployment and prolong its service life. “All systems are functioning normally, and the satellite is healthy in orbit,” he asserted.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan lauded the excellence of the mission team, saying that the payload-carrying capacity of LVM3 was increased by 10% for this mission. “Despite adverse weather conditions, our scientists achieved a flawless launch. GSAT-7R, with a planned 15-year operational life, incorporates several next-generation technologies,” he said.
The country will move a step closer towards strengthening its defence communication infrastructure once the GSAT-7R is placed in orbit. It would, in addition, demonstrate ISRO's increased capacity for launching heavy satellites indigenously, moving the nation further ahead in the race to reach strategic and technological independence.
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