ISRO to launch communication satellite GSAT-6A onboard GSLV-F08 rocket today

Image credit: ISRO

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its high power S-band communication satellite GSAT-6A on Thursday from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) in Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle- F08 (GSLV-F08) rocket carrying the communication satellite GSAT-6A will take off at 4:56 pm IST today.

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

The countdown began at 1.56 p.m. on Wednesday. During the countdown, the rocket will be fueled up and its systems would also be checked.

GSLV-F08 is the 12th flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and Sixth flight with indigenous Cryogenic Stage. 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 electro-hydraulic actuation system.

ISRO said that the GSAT-6A was similar to the GSAT-6. The satellite will be put into orbit around 17 minutes after the rocket's liftoff.

The mission life of the spacecraft planned is about 10 years. The satellite will provide a platform for developing technologies such as demonstration of 6m S-Band Unfurlable Antenna, handheld ground terminals and network management techniques. These are useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications.

The GSAT-6A launch will be ISRO's last launch for the financial year 2017-18.