ISRO’s GSAT-6A launch: All you need to know

ISRO’s GSAT-6A launch: All you need to know

GSAT-6A communication satellite

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A key feature of the satellite is providing mobile communication to India through multibeam coverage facility.

ISRO is all set to launch GSLV-F08 carrying the GSAT6A communication satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota at 4.56pm today. 

Today's launch will add another feather in ISRO's cap as it is mastering the technique of making home-made communication satellites. The GSAT-6A satellite will be put into orbit around 17 minutes after the rocket's lift off. 

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation, the real-time systems check operations have been completed.

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The countdown began at 1.56 pm on Wednesday.

It is scheduled to blast off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, on Thursday.

GSAT-6A is similar to GSAT-6, a high power S-band communication satellite built on I-2K satellite bus with a mission life of about ten years, it said.

A key feature of the satellite is providing mobile communication to India through multibeam coverage facility.

The satellite will also provide a platform for developing technologies such as demonstration of 6 m S-Band Unfurlable Antenna, handheld ground terminals and network management techniques that could be useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications.

GSLV-F08, weighing 415.6 tonnes with a height of 49.1 metre comes with notable improvements like induction of High Thrust Vikas Engine, electromechanical actuation system in place of the electro-hydraulic actuation system.