Which of the following applications is the GSAT-31 satellite launched by India on 6 February 2019?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Communication

Explanation:

• GSAT-31 is a high-power communication satellite that was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on February 6, 2019.

• It was launched from the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou, French Guiana, using the Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle.

• The satellite was designed to provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites and serves as a replacement for the ageing INSAT-4CR satellite.

• It carries a communication payload in Ku-band, providing coverage to the Indian mainland and island territories.

• The satellite has a mission life of approximately 15 years and is configured on ISRO's enhanced I-2K Bus.

Information Booster:

• GSAT-31 is used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinking, digital satellite news gathering, and DTH (Direct-to-Home) television services.

• It also provides wide-beam coverage to facilitate communication over a large part of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.

Additional Knowledge:

Earth observation (Option a)

• These satellites (like the Resourcesat, Cartosat, and RISAT series) are used for mapping, monitoring land use, and resource management.

• They typically operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) rather than Geostationary Orbit.

Navigation (Option b)

• India’s navigation system is called NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).

• This is supported by the IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) series of satellites, such as IRNSS-1I.

Climate and atmosphere (Option c)

• Satellites like Megha-Tropiques and SCATSAT-1 are specifically dedicated to studying the water cycle, weather forecasting, and cyclone detection.

• These missions focus on meteorological and atmospheric data rather than telecommunications.