Radiation behind GSAT-6A going into shutdown mode

SRIHARIKOTA: The interference from the space in the form of radiation could have forced the GSAT-6A communication satellite into shutdown or safe mode, according to scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation. 

After facing a major setback as the satellite was untraceable for close to a week, the scientists have finally traced the satellite and its orbit, thereby reviving a hope of re-establishing communication with the satellite.

In between the second and third orbit raising operations, there was a communication blockage between ground command and the satellite.

Explaining on how the communication with the satellite was lost, Isro chairman K. Sivan said, “Usually, whenever the satellite had disturbances like radiation or electromagnetic interference in the space environment, the satellite will go into the safe mode.  Then subsequently, the communication will be established and we will go ahead. But, here the time gap was increased.”

“The satellite might have been gone into some manoeuvre or something and did not come into the visibility of the antenna,” he said. Now, after working 24X7 the scientists were able to locate the satellite. 

“Using some of the advance technics, we are able to find out how the satellite is moving in the orbit and we also establish its axis. It’s a very positive step and gives us additional hope to establish the communication with the satellite,” he added.

However, he refused to give any deadline for the efforts. “The preliminary study showed the satellite is healthy and we are hopeful of re-establishing the communication with the satellite,” he said.