ISRO has listed GSAT-11 as one of its Future Missions on its official website. As defined on the site, GSAT- 11 is an advanced, multibeam, high throughput communication satellite, with a payload of Ka x Ku-band forward link transponders and Ku x Ka band return link transponders.
The site states that the scheduled launch of the satellite is slated for the first half of 2018, to be launched by Ariane from Kourou, French Guinea. In line with the outline of the GSAT-11 mission, ISRO is right on track as it has cleared the satellite for launch. GSAT-11 was recalled from Kourou for conducting the final thorough checks before putting up the green signal for its launch in order to prevent possible lapses, especially after the GSAT-6A satellite launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh in March was lost in space, as per an official.
GSAT-11, weighing 5,700 kg was set for its launch on May 26 from Kourou, the South American site serving as the heavy-weight satellite launch pad for India. Previously, ISRO had suffered a setback as it had lost contact with GSAT-6A post its launch in March 2018, which was particularly disappointing as it was significantly meant for military communication. Since then, ISRO has tried its level best to establish contact with the elusive satellite, but to no avail.
Set in this scenario, it is logically plausible for the promising Indian Space Agency to be doubly sure before releasing GSAT-11 into space, and therefore recalling it for thorough checks was a necessary precautionary measure. An ISRO official stated “After a thorough check and additional tests, it was found fit for launch. The space agency is now waiting for a slot from Arianespace, the company which will launch the satellite.”
With its impressive line-up of 97 Spacecraft Missions, 67 Launch Missions, 9 Student Satellites, 2 Re-entry Missions and 237 Foreign Satellites of 28 countries, ISRO has made India proud time and again in the domain of space science, and keeps its vision to ‘Harness space technology for national development, while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration.’, progressively alive and thriving.
