The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has once again made history. On Sunday evening at 5:26 PM, ISRO successfully launched the state-of-the-art GSAT-7R communication satellite for the Indian Navy into space. This launch was conducted from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
This satellite will enhance the Indian Navy's maritime security, surveillance, and networking capabilities. GSAT-7R is a completely India-made satellite, weighing a substantial 4,400 kilograms. Thus, it has become India's heaviest communication satellite to date. This satellite will make communication between the Navy's ships, submarines, aircraft, and operation centers faster, more secure, and accurate.
ISRO used its most powerful LVM-3 rocket (Bahubali rocket) for this launch. This same rocket successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023, making India proud. The specialty of the LVM-3 rocket is that it has the capability to place a satellite weighing up to 4,000 kg in Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) and a satellite weighing about 8,000 kg in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Through GSAT-7R, the signal coverage and data transfer capacity in the Indian Ocean region will increase significantly. This satellite will enable the navy to maintain continuous and secure communication even during distant operations. Additionally, it will be easier to keep a more accurate watch on maritime movements and take immediate action against threats like terrorism and piracy.
ISRO officials stated that the GSAT-7R mission is a significant step towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. All components and technology used in this project are completely indigenous. This has once again demonstrated India's technical expertise and capabilities in space research on a global level.
After this success, India's strength in the defense sector will increase further, and the protection of the country's maritime borders will become more robust. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated ISRO scientists, stating, “The GSAT-7R mission will further strengthen India's security and self-reliance.” With this launch, ISRO has once again proven that India is at the forefront not only in space missions but also in developing technology for national security.