The military communication satellite will work as a force multiplier for the IAF. It would enable the IAF to link its ground radar stations, air bases and Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes. The satellite may also control the IAF’s unmanned aerial vehicles and drones. Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa said that the launch of GSAT-7A would enhance the networking and communication capabilities of the Air Force. “We have several platforms (aircrafts) which have capabilities of communication through satellite. The communication to the platform through the satellite will be made possible with this launch,” he said.

According to ISRO officials, the advanced communication satellite would facilitate exclusive frequency flight communication for the IAF. The mission life of GSAT-7A is eight years. It will provide communication in Ku-band over the Indian region. The satellite also comes with new technology regarding the antenna to improve performance. The launch vehicle had many firsts, including increased propellant loading and other features. “The cryogenic stage was burnt to depletion to get a supersynchronous transfer orbit to enhance the life of the satellite,” said Sivan.

GSAT-7A is the second dedicated military communication satellite to be launched. The first, GSAT-7 or Rukmini, was launched in 2013, for use by the Indian Navy. It has reportedly helped in improving the country’s maritime security and intelligence gathering in a wide swathe on the eastern and western flanks of the Indian Ocean region. As per ISRO, Rukmini provides a wide range of service spectrum from low bit rate voice to high bit rate data communication. Scientists say its payload is designed to provide communication capabilities to users over a wide oceanic region, which include the Indian landmass.

ISRO said GSAT-7A is the heaviest satellite launched by GSLV with an indigenously developed cryogenic stage. “The cryogenic stage of this vehicle has been modified to increase the thrust rate,” a statement said. GSLV is ISRO’s fourth-generation launch vehicle with three stages. The four liquid strap-ons and a solid rocket motor at the core form the first stage. The second stage is equipped with a high-thrust engine using liquid fuel. The cryogenic upper stage forms the third and final stage of the vehicle. GSLV-F11 was the seventh flight carrying indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage.

The launch on December 19 was the seventh mission of ISRO from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in 2018. In the past 35 days, ISRO has successfully launched three missions from SDSC, starting with the GSLV MkIII-D2 on November 14, PSLV-C43 on November 29 and finally GSLV-F11 on December 19. This also gives a big boost to ISRO’s 2019 missions, which includes the complex Chandrayaan-2 moon mission.

At present, there are 320 military satellites orbiting the Earth with the US owning half of them, followed by Russia and China.