India launched its GSAT-9 communications satellite

India launched its GSAT-9 communications satellite,-India's-space-diplomacy-with-Modi in command takes flight

India launched its GSAT-9 communications(संचार) satellite via a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket Friday. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launch is aimed at supporting international partnerships in South Asia. The launch, which wasn’t shown live by ISRO, occurred at 16:57 local time (11:27 UTC). 

GSAT-9, also known as the South Asia Satellite, is a Ku-band broadcasting and telecommunications spacecraft which India has developed to provide services to members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(सहयोग) (SAARC).

The GSAT-9 spacecraft is a 2,230-kilogram (4,920 lb) satellite based on ISRO’s I-2K bus. With a design life of twelve years, the satellite is expected to support education, medical, disaster management (आपदा प्रबंधन) and communications initiatives as well as international cooperation between the member states. It is equipped with twelve Ku-band transponders.

The South Asia Satellite program is a partnership between India and most of the other member nations of SAARC: Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan has not yet signed up to the program but is expected to, while Pakistan has opted not to be involved.

BASIC OF ORBIT 

What are the different types of orbits?

There are several types of orbits:

Polar.

Sun Synchronous.

Geosynchronous.

A geosynchronous satellite

A geosynchronous satellite is a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, with an orbital period the same as the Earth's rotation period. Such a satellite returns to the same position in the sky after each sidereal day, and over the course of a day traces out a path in the sky that is typically some form of analemma.

What is the difference between geostationary(भू-स्थिर) and geosynchronous orbit(भू-समकालिक कक्षा)?

A geostationary orbit is a geosynchronous orbit that is also circular and in the plane of the equator. With those additional constraints(की कमी), it remains stationary above a fixed point on the equator. Then it is called geostationary because it is always in the same place in the sky when viewed from the earth.

What is a synchronous satellite?

A synchronous orbit is an orbit in which an orbiting body (usually a satellite) has a period equal to the average rotational period of the body being orbited (usually a planet), and in the same direction of rotation as that body.

How do geostationary satellites differ from polar orbiting satellites?

Geostationary satellites have a different trajectory to polar satellites – they are in orbit above the equator. The height of their orbit - 36,000 km - is just the right distance so that it takes them one day (24 hours) to make each orbit. This means that they stay in a fixed position over the Earth's surface.

Are GPS satellites in geostationary orbit?

Each satellite in the GPS constellation orbits at an altitude of about 20,000 km from the ground, and has an orbital speed of about 14,000 km/hour (the orbital period is roughly 12 hours - contrary to popular belief, GPS satellites are not in geosynchronous or geostationary orbits).