Chennai, Mar 29: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch it's latest communication satellite GSAT-6A at 4:56 pm today.

ISRO's Mission readiness Review Committee gave clearance to the 27-hour countdown on Wednesday, which began at 1:56 pm. The satellite will be sent to the space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Facts to Know About ISRO's New Communication Satellite

- GSAT-6A is powered by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle's MK II rocket.

- This would be 12th flight launched using the GSLV, and the sixth flight equipped with the indigenous cryogenic Vikas engine in the second stage.

- Unlike its predecessor GSAT-6, the GSAT-6A launch involves the use of electrochemical automation in place of electro-hydraulic actuation system.

- The weight of the satellite is reported to be 2,140-kg, a notch above GSAT-6, which weighed 2,132-kg. The rocket launcher - GSLV Mk II weights 415.6 tonnes.

- Similar to the GSAT-6, the GSAT-6A is built on 1-2K satellite bus, designed for high-power S-band communication. The missile life of both the satellites around 10 years.

Satellite Mission

The satellite aims to provide mobile communication to India through hand-held ground terminals. The GSAT-6A developers pin hope of multi-beam coverage facility.

Further providing development opportunities in satellite-based mobile communication, the GSAT-GA could successfully demonstrate 6-metre S-Band Unfurlable Antenna, 0.8-metre fixed antenna for hub communication link in C-band frequency, along with network management techniques.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2018 12:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).