The 2,250-kg military communications satellite will help in connecting all assets of the Indian Air Force and serve as a force multiplier

This new satellite, along with GSAT-7 and GSAT-6, dubbed the "Indian Angry Bird", will form the band of communications satellite for use of Indian military. The GSLV-F11 injected GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Today's launch of GSAT-7A is the seventh from Sriharikota. The GSAT-7A will provide communication capability to users in Ku-band over the Indian region

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday launched GSAT-7A, a geostationary communication satellite, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

This new satellite, along with GSAT-7 and GSAT-6, dubbed the "Indian Angry Bird", will form the band of communications satellite for use by the Indian military.

After a 26-hour countdown, the GSLV-F11, carrying the 2,250 kg GSAT-7A, lifted off at 4.10 pm from the second launch pad at Sriharikota, situated about 110 km from Chennai.

Around 19 minutes after lift-off, the GSLV-F11 injected GSAT-7A into the intended orbit. It will be placed in its final geostationary orbit using the onboard propulsion systems.

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the satellite would take a few days after separation from the launcher to reach its orbital slot.

ISRO scientists broke into cheers as the satellite was injected into the orbit.

According to the space agency officials, the 2,250-kg military communications satellite will help in connecting all assets of the Indian Air Force and serve as a force multiplier.

GSAT-7A will provide communication capability to users in Ku-band over the Indian region, ISRO said, adding that the mission life of the GSAT-7A is eight years.

From the Mission Control Centre, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said Wednesday's "successful and safe" launch was the third one in 35 days and came close on the heels of the "grand success" of two missions in November.

The GSLV-F11 injected GSAT-7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and it will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit using the onboard propulsion systems.

The GSLV-F11 is the ISRO's fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages.

Four liquid strap-ons and a solid rocket motor at the core form the first stage of the launch vehicle, while the second stage is equipped with a high-thrust engine using liquid fuel, ISRO said.

The Cryogenic Upper Stage forms the third and final stage of the vehicle.

Today's launch of GSAT-7A is the seventh from Sriharikota, located around 100 km from Chennai, this year.

GSAT-7A will provide communication capability to users in Ku-band over the Indian region, ISRO said, adding that the mission life of the GSAT-7A is eight years.