GSAT-6A: 3 days on, ISRO yet to re-establish link with the communication satellite
GSAT-6A communication satellite
GSAT-6A, with a mission life of about 10 years, is designed to provide a thrust to mobile communication through its multi-beam coverage facility
Indian space scientists and engineers are making all-out efforts to establish a link with the communication satellite GSAT-6A launched on March 29, said an official on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) admitted belatedly that it lost the crucial link with GSAT-6A, two days after it was launched on 29 March on board the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from its spaceport in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The satellite was to be placed in its intended orbit 36,000 km above ground level after three orbit-raising manoeuvres from the space agency's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka, about 180 km from Bengaluru.
GSAT-6A, with a mission life of about 10 years, is designed to provide a thrust to mobile communication through its multi-beam coverage facility. It will also help in mobile communication even from remote locations through hand-held ground terminals and is considered a shot in the arm for the military.
The satellite is also aimed at providing a platform for developing technologies such as demonstration of 6-metre S-Band Unfurlable Antenna, hand-held ground terminals and network management techniques that could be useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications. "GSAT-6A is a complement to GSAT-6, which is already in orbit. These two satellites, combined, will provide a platform for the development of advanced technologies," Sivan had said post the launch.
This was the first mission under the chairmanship of Sivan, who assumed charge of the space agency in January. In August 2017, India's mission to launch its backup navigation satellite IRNSS-1H on board PSLV-C39 ended in a failure after a technical fault on the final leg following a perfect launch.
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
ChatGPT gets unlimited free AI chats as OpenAI rolls out GPT-5.6 Luna with new 'Think' mode
)
Primetime trailer: Robert Pattinson channels Chris Hansen in A24's dark crime thriller
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
US Senate passes sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill targeting energy revenue
)
Major relief for TN CM Vijay as wife Sangeetha withdraws infidelity and divorce petition
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
Thailand: 14-year-old goes on rampage, kills grandparents, teachers & self | Gravitas
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
)
Pentagon releases new batch of 41 UFO files, including videos and images
ISRO had then said the heat shield had not separated on the final leg of the launch sequence and, as a result, IRNSS-1H had got stuck in the fourth stage of the rocket.
(With inputs from Agencies)