ISRO GSAT-7A launch LIVE updates: GSAT-7A satellite successfully placed in orbit by GSLV-MkII on 19 December

VP Venkaiah Naidu congratulates ISRO

Congratulate @isro for successfully launching the advanced communication satellite GSAT-7A, with launch vehicle GSLV-F11, from #Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh today. The 2250 kg satellite built by #ISRO will be a big boost to our defence capabilities. #GSAT7A #GSLVF11 pic.twitter.com/iiz1T2sZIJ

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) December 19, 2018

More to the mission than GSAT-7A

The team leads at ISRO talk about how the engines have been tested with higher capabilities in today's mission.

The Gregorian antenna in GSAT-7A offers better performance than standard antennas.

The GSLV-F11's cryogenic (third stage) engine and the second stage has been modified to test higher payload capacity of the GSLV.

Solar panels open up!

GSAT-7A's solar panels have opened up 100 seconds after seperation.

That completes the GSLV's work today.

The GSAT-7A.GSLV-F11 mission at a glance

Here's a look an update from ISRO on the mission, with an overview of its successful launch mission today.

Update #12#ISROMissions#GSLVF11 successfully launches #GSAT7A into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. pic.twitter.com/9PiUa8e1NI

— ISRO (@isro) December 19, 2018

K Sivan congratulates ISRO

"There are so many things unique about this mission... the team has worked meticulously to ensure the mission succeeds," K Sivan, Chairman of ISRO says.

I'm sure that as we go forward, team ISRO will meet all the demands of the country with the same precision that it does for its satellite, Sivan adds.

GSAT-7A separation successful!

GSAT-7A has separated from the GSLV without a sweat and found some room for itself in geotransfer orbit. Woohoo!

#ICYMI, a glimpse of the GSLV-F11 soon after launch

Here's a first look at the GSLV-MkII flying towards bright blue skies from ISRO's last twitter update. 

Update #11#GSLVF11 lifts-off carrying #GSAT7A onboard from Sriharikota.

Updates to follow.#ISROMissions pic.twitter.com/cZobUTtEO4

— ISRO (@isro) December 19, 2018

Cryogenic stage burns on

The second stage cryogenic engine stays burning as the GSLV-F11 cruises to an altitude of 270 kilometres to release GSAT-7A.

Roughly 6 minutes before the engine burns out and the satellite is released from the rocket.

Heat shield separation successful!

The heat shield and payload fairing covering the GSAT-7A has separated from the rocket as planned! Mission director looks happy with the launch so far.

Second stage comes on

The first stage of the GSLV-F11 has been shut off, and the second stage is now fired up to keep the launcher going.

Off it goes!

The GSLV-F11 has taken off! Engineers confirm that everything looks perfect so far!

Final seconds before liftoff!

The GSLV-F11 is 30 seconds away from lift off. Here we go! 

A little more about the GSLV-F11 launch vehicle

The GSLV-F11 that will be fired up minutes from now is essentially the GSLV-Mark II rocket with an Indian cryo-engine called the Vikas engine. Previous GSLV vehicles (GSLV Mk.I) have used Russian cryogenic engines.

The engine is a first for ISRO, and a big milestone on its way to building more powerful rockets like the GSLV-MkIII.

It is capable of lifting 2500 kg in payloads to Earth's geostationary transfer orbit.

8 minutes to launch

With a little under 8 minutes to go, ISRO engineers look happy with readings from the GSLV-F11.

Automated launch sequence begins! 

The mission director has authorized the final launch countdown. In a minute from now, the Automated Launch Sequence (ALS) will begin, and engineers will hand over controls to a computer software that will take over the launch events from this point.

ISRO goes live from mission control

We're now seeing the GSAT-7A mission director and engineers doing some final checks before giving the green light for launch.

Recap of the mission so far

ISRO shows a recap of all the activities ahead of the launch today, including some stunning views of the mighty GSLV being moved to the launchpad today.

More updates from ISRO to come

It's still a good 30 minutes till lift-off, and ISRO will continue its tradition of bringing all key mission updates on its website and Twitter.

Update #10#GSAT7A#GSLVF11

Catch all the action from Sriharikota on @DDNational from 3.30 pm (IST) onwards. Launch at 4.10 pm (IST).

Updates to follow.#ISROMissions pic.twitter.com/HjZtztlxVC

— ISRO (@isro) December 19, 2018

Watch the launch as it happens

A live stream of the launch is expected to come on any minute now. You can catch it as it happens on DD National's Youtube stream below. 

Last update from Sriharikota

A tweet from ISRO earlier today gave us the last update from the designated launchpad in the Sriharikota. The GSAT-7A is powered on and ready for what we can only imagine to be a warm and loud 270-kilometre ride to orbit today.

Update #9#GSAT7A#GSLVF11

The spacecraft (GSAT-7A) has been powered on.

Updates to follow.#ISROMissions

— ISRO (@isro) December 19, 2018

A new addition to the Indian Air Force

Over its 8-year lifespan, GSAT-7A is designed to expand the communication capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It will do this by connecting many of the ground radar stations, airbases and aircrafts operated by the IAF, and is also expected to boost some of their network-dependant warfare and drone capabilities.

GSAT-7A is ISRO's 7th satellite mission of 2018

The GSLV-F-11/GSAT-7A mission marks the 35th communication satellite built by ISRO over the years, of which seven were launched this year.

Hello all!

ISRO will bring its launches for the year to a close with one last launch of the GSAT-7A satellite today.

This is the GSLV's 13th mission overall and will use a version of the rocket that uses an indigenous cryo-engine.