Communication Satellite GSAT-31

Published: 7th Feb, 2019

European launch services company Arianespace launched India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-31 successfully from French Guiana.

Context

European launch services company Arianespace launched India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-31 successfully from French Guiana.

About

GSAT-31 is the country’s 40th communication satellite which is configured on ISRO’s enhanced ‘I-2K Bus’.
GSAT-31 separated from the launch vehicle in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee – the nearest point to Earth – of 250 km and an apogee – the farthest point from Earth – of 35,850 km, inclined at an angle of 3 degrees to the equator.
The launch vehicle for GSAT- 31 was Ariane 5 VA-247.
GSAT-31 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series.

It is configured on ISRO’s enhanced I-2K Bus, utilizing the maximum bus capabilities of this type.

Salient Features of GSAT-31

Key facts-

The satellite will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites.
GSAT-31 has a unique configuration of providing flexible frequency segments and flexible coverage.
Two Ku-band beacon downlink signals are transmitted by the satellite for ground tracking purpose.
Researchers will undertake phase-wise orbit-raising manoeuvres to place the satellite in geostationary orbit – 36,000 km above the equator – in the coming days using its on-board propulsion system.

Significance

GSAT-31 will provide DTH Television Services, connectivity to VSATs for ATM, Stock-exchange, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and e-governance applications.
This satellite will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in geostationary orbit and will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications.
The satellite also provides wide beam coverage using a wide beam transponder to facilitate communication over large oceanic region, comprising large parts of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.
GSAT -30 is another geostationary satellite to be lofted soon by Arianespace for ISRO.

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