About GSAT-7B:
- It is the Indian Army’s first dedicated communications satellite.
- It is part of the GSAT-7 series
- It is expected to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) around mid-2028.
- It will be the heaviest communication satellite India has ever built.
- It will sit in a geostationary orbit.
- Till now, the Indian Army has been dependent on GSAT-7A and other surveillance satellites like the RISAT 2BR1 imaging satellite for communication and surveillance operations.
- GSAT-7B is designed to provide Indian Army beyond-line-of-sight communications for deployed troops and military formations, as well as weapon systems, airborne platforms, and other mission-critical assets.
- It will provide the army with secure, round-the-clock connectivity across remote border areas and challenging terrain, supporting day-to-day military operations and effective battlefield command and control.
GSAT 7 Series Satellites:
- They are advanced communication satellites developed by the ISRO to meet the communication needs of the Indian defence services.
- GSAT-7 (Rukmini):
- It is an advanced communication satellite developed by ISRO and primarily provides communication services to the Indian Navy.
- It is India’s first military satellite.
- It was launched in 2013 from an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from Kourou in French Guiana.
- GSAT 7A:
- It was launched in 2018.
- It primarily provides communication services to the Indian Air Force.
- It also helps in satellite-controlled operations of UAVs.
- GSAT-7R (CMS-03):
- It was launched in 2025, a replacement for the Rukmini satellite.
- The homegrown satellite enables seamless and secure communications between warships, aircraft, submarines, and maritime operations centres.
