# GSAT-7

> Indian military communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q13112185](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13112185)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSAT-7)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat-7

## Summary
GSAT-7, also known as Rukmini or INAV-1, is an Indian military communications satellite designed specifically for use by the Indian Navy. Manufactured and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it provides real-time communication capabilities for naval ships and submarines. The satellite was launched into geostationary orbit on August 29, 2013, and has a design life of more than seven years.

## Key Facts
- **Also Known As:** INSAT-4F, GSAT 7, Rukmini, INAV-1.
- **Primary User:** Indian Navy.
- **Operator:** Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- **Launch Date:** August 29, 2013 (20:30 UTC).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 5 ECA (Flight VA215).
- **Launch Site:** ELA-3 (Guiana Space Centre).
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
- **Launch Mass:** 2,650 kg; Dry Mass: 1,211 kg.
- **Design Life:** Greater than 7 years.
- **Spacecraft Bus:** I-2K.
- **Capital Cost:** ₹1,850,000,000 (Indian Rupees) as of 2013.
- **Successor:** GSAT-7R.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of GSAT-7?
A: GSAT-7 is a dedicated military communications satellite built to provide secure, real-time communications and networking capabilities for the Indian Navy's ships, submarines, and aircraft.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used to deploy GSAT-7?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket (designated flight VA215) from the ELA-3 launch complex.

### Q: What are the physical specifications of GSAT-7?
A: The satellite has a launch mass of 2,650 kg and a dry mass of 1,211 kg. It utilizes an I-2K spacecraft bus and is powered by two solar arrays capable of generating 2,915 Watts of power.

## Why It Matters
GSAT-7 represents a critical strategic asset for India's defense capabilities, serving as the country's first dedicated military communication satellite. Before its launch, the Indian Navy relied on foreign satellites for communication, which presented limitations in bandwidth and security. By establishing a sovereign asset in the geostationary orbit, GSAT-7 (Rukmini) enabled the Navy to create a dedicated naval communications network, vastly improving maritime domain awareness and command-and-control capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region.

The satellite's deployment allowed for the networking of naval assets—ships, submarines, and aircraft—providing secure, real-time data exchange. With a capital cost of approximately ₹1.85 billion, the satellite utilizes the I-2K bus platform to deliver robust performance. Its existence underscores the shift towards network-centric warfare for the Indian armed forces, ensuring secure lines of communication that are vital for modern naval operations. The satellite is planned to be eventually replaced by GSAT-7R.

## Notable For
- **First Dedicated Naval Satellite:** It is the first Indian satellite specifically dedicated to the Indian Navy (INAV-1).
- **High Launch Weight:** At 2,650 kg, it is a heavy-class communication satellite.
- **Secure Nomenclature:** It is widely known by its strategic codename "Rukmini."
- **International Launch:** Despite being an indigenous ISRO product, it was launched via the European Ariane 5 ECA due to its weight class.

## Body

### Development and Specifications
The GSAT-7 was manufactured by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) utilizing the I-2K spacecraft bus. It falls under the classification of both a communications satellite and a geostationary satellite.

**Physical Characteristics:**
- **Launch Weight:** 2,650 kilograms.
- **Dry Weight:** 1,211 kilograms.
- **Power Systems:** The satellite is powered by two solar arrays (spacecraft solar array) with a generation capacity of 2,915 Watts (unit: Q25236).
- **Design Life:** The satellite was designed to operate for a period greater than 7 years.

### Launch Details
GSAT-7 was successfully launched on **August 29, 2013**, at 20:30 UTC. The launch was executed from the **ELA-3** launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 5 ECA.
- **Flight Designation:** VA215.
- **Space Tug:** The deployment involved the ESC-A H14.4 upper stage.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2013-044B; SCN 39234.

### Operational Context
The satellite is operated by ISRO but its primary capability is utilized by the **Indian Navy**. It serves as a force multiplier for maritime operations. The total capital cost for the project was reported as **1,850,000,000 Indian Rupees** (point in time: 2013).

**Official Designations:**
- **Official Name:** GSAT-7
- **Alternative Names:** INSAT-4F, GSAT 7, Rukmini, INAV-1.
- **Wikidata Description:** Indian military communications satellite.
- **Wikipedia Languages:** Available in German, English, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Latvian, Malayalam, Marathi, Portuguese, and Tamil.

### Future Succession
According to structured data, GSAT-7 is slated to be replaced by **GSAT-7R**.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/gsat-7.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=39234)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](http://www.isac.gov.in:80/communication/html/gsat-7.jsp)
5. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/spacecraft/list-of-communication-satellites)
6. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/GSAT_7.html)
7. [Source](https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/india-rukmini-gsat-7-satellite-china-indian-ocean-region-sikkim-standoff-4736318/)