After the successful launch of India’s GSAT-6A last week, ISRO, the Indian Space Agency has hit a big hurdle as it lost communication with the satellite, ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan confirmed Sunday.
Communication was lost in the process of the final manoeuvre to place the satellite in its orbit. Efforts, however, are being made to re-establish contact with the satellite and all hope is not lost, Sivan added.
After the Thursday launch last week, the satellite was meant to be placed in orbit in three phases. The first and second phases of orbit raising were successfully conducted by a series of thrusters – small engines that makes alterations in the flight path. The third manoeuvre, however, failed.
GSAT-6A was especially built to enhance India’s communications strategy within its Defence sector. The satellite carries one of the largest antennas built by ISRO and is designed to ensure a two-way exchange of data, voice or video, through small hand-held devices from even the most remote parts of the country.
The rocket includes a new engine that was intended to play a critical role in India’s second Moon mission.
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