Question

GSAT-7, the first Navy user satellite was launched on
1. August 2013
2. February 2011
3. August 2014
4. None of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : August 2013

The Correct Answer is August 2013.

• GSAT-7 is a satellite for multi-band military communications developed by ISRO.
• The Indian Navy is the operator of the spacecraft for multi-band communication that has been in service since September 2013.
• The satellite would allow the navy to improve its blue water capabilities and stop relying on foreign satellites such as Inmarsat, which provide its ships with communication services.
• The multi-band communication satellite GSAT-7, called Rukmini, carries UHF, C and Ku band payloads.
• It is the first dedicated military communication satellite designed by ISRO (as opposed to previous dual-use satellites) that will provide services to the Indian defence forces, with the Indian Navy being the main customer.
• Early on 30 August 2013, the satellite was launched atop an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from Kourou, French Guiana.
• On June 11, 2019, the Indian Navy placed an order for the GSAT-7R. GSAT-7R, which will eventually replace GSAT-7, is scheduled to be launched in 2020.