India's 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 launched successfully

Current Affairs:

Ariane5 rocket from French Guiana. The satellite will cover both the mainland and islands of the country and provide communication services such as DTH, ATMs connectivity and emergency communication, etc.

The rocket, which carried the 2,535-kg satellite, blasted off from the spaceport in French Guiana at 02:31 am (IST) as scheduled.

GSAT-31 is India's 40th communication satellite, which is configured based on the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) enhanced I-2K Bus. It utilises the maximum bus capabilities of this type.

"Designed and developed by Isro, GSAT-31 is a high-power communication satellite in the Ku-band," said Ratan Shrivastava, advisor (space division), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Shrivastava said that the satellite will significantly add to the Ku-band capacity for VSAT application. "It will enhance VSAT services for banking, e-governance, telecom bulk data transfers and communication for disaster management.

It can also be configured for DTH services," he added.

It has 19 Ku-band transponders, with flexible frequency segment and flexible coverage providing effective communication in varied topology and remote areas of the country. It will also provide continuity to the INSAT 4CR and 4A.