Skip to main content

India's New Satellite To Boost Armed Forces, Help Moon Mission: 10 Facts




India's very powerful, home-made communications satellite shot off into the blue sky today, leaving a smoky trail, on the back of the heavyweight GSLV rocket. The successful launch by the scientists of space agency ISRO drew praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 2066-ton satellite, built at a cost of Rs. 270 crore, will be able to send and receive signals from hand-held devices. It is expected to be particularly useful for security forces stationed in the remotest corners of the country. The rocket also has a special feature -- a new engine, which, if successful, will be crucial for India's second Moon mission.

Here are the top 10 updates in the GSAT-6A launch:

  1. Congratulating the scientists, PM Narendra Modi tweeted, "GSAT-6A, a communication satellite, will provide new possibilities for mobile applications. Proud of @isro for taking the nation towards new heights and a brighter future".
  2. The GSAT-6A carries one of the largest antennas that has been built by ISRO, said its former chairman Kiran Kumar. The antenna, which has a diameter of 6 meters, will open up like an umbrella once the satellite is in orbit.

  3. The huge size of the antenna gives it more power, which ensures that a two-way exchange of data, voice or video, can be carried out through small hand-held devices from any corner of the country.
  4. The hand-held devices are still being fine-tuned by the defence development agency DRDO. The DRDO hopes to manufacture a number of such devices, which will be given to security personnel deployed in remote areas.

  5. Around 400 scientists and engineers were called in to help with the launch, which took place from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Center, located on the coast near Chennai.
  6. The GSLV rocket, which will carry up the communications satellite, was dubbed the "Naughty Boy" by ISRO scientists. The 416-plus ton rocket has had a patchy record, with four of its 12 flights ending in failure.
  7. The Vikas engine, for which scientists have high hopes, was named after Vikram Sarabhai, who was considered the father of India's space programme. Vikas is an acronym for Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai.

  8. For this journey, the engine, which works on liquid propellants, was used in the second stage to give the rocket a higher thrust.
  9. This was the first time all three operational rockets of ISRO were on the launch pad in a state of readiness. In the middle of April, ISRO hopes to launch a PSLV with a navigation satellite.

  10. In future, the Vikas engine may become the mainstay of Indian rockets. Depending on its performance, it could even be deployed when India hoists the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Avengers Endgame Movie Review: Marvel's Stirring, Emotional Superhero Marathon

(There are spoilers in the review, so proceed at your own will. Or, you can come back to this review after watching the film.) Avengers Endgame, the last in the recent Marvel’s superhero series has been shrouded in secrecy what with the producers guarding the secret with all their resources. The leak of the film online by TamilRockers a few days before the film’s release in India only underscored the reality that this was not paranoia but necessary caution. Even at the media show on Thursday evening, everybody had to submit their phones to the security before stepping in to watch the film.   There are spoilers ahead, so read frth On the pertinent question whether the film is worth the wait, Anthony Russo and Joe Russo give us a befitting conclusion to the 22 preceding stories. And it's good enough to make you want and wait for the second season of Superheroes. The film opens where Avengers: Infinity left off with Tony Stark in space with Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) d...
Counterpoint Research released its three-month report on smartphone shipments in India. According it Xiaomi is in the lead with 27% share, followed by Samsung and vivo with 23% and 10%, respectively. Oppo is taken down to fifth, while Micromax makes a surprising appearance at fourth with 9% shipments between July and September. Company Market share Q3 2018 Market share Q2 2018 Xiaomi 27% 28% Samsung 23% 29% viv o 10% 12% Micromax 9% N/A Oppo 8% 10% The report also revealed that total shipments increased by 24%, compared to the previous quarter, and 5% on a yearly basis. The increase is such a huge jump that India managed to surpass the United States in shipments, Karn Chauhan, research analyst at Counterpoint, revealed. The number of users in India exceeded 400 million, making the Asian country the second biggest smartphone market in the world, following China. The report stated that nearly a third of all devices shipped had a retail price between $150 and $250, while the...

Train 18, Indian Railways first engine-less train, to take passengers to India’s 1st world-class station!

Indian Railways first world-class semi-high speed train set will take passengers to India's first world-class railway station at Habibganj! While Train 18 is expected to roll out this month, the redevelopment work at Habibganj railway station is expected to be over by December end this year. From January 2019,  Indian Railways ’ first engine-less train – Train 18 – will most likely replace India’s fastest Shatabdi Express on the Delhi-Bhopal route. What makes this development more special is the fact that the final destination of the Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express is Habibganj – the first Indian Railways station that is being developed as a world-class transit hub. To put it simply, Indian Railways first world-class semi-high speed train set will take passengers to India’s first world-class railway station at Habibganj! While Train 18 is expected to roll out this month, the redevelopment work at Habibganj railway station is expected to be over by December end this year. Be...