India Launches Hefty Communications Satellite Into Orbit to Cap Busy 2018

India successfully squeezed a seventh launch into the year Wednesday, using an upgraded version of the country's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle to place a massive communications satellite into orbit for the Indian Air Force. From a report: That communications satellite, called the GSAT-7A, weighs nearly 5,000 lbs. (2250 kilograms) and will allow the Indian Air Force to manage all of its space communications itself, rather than paying for satellite services. 'This mission, both in the launch vehicle as well as the satellite, there are so many firsts,' K. Sivan, chair of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said. Today's was India's last scheduled launch for 2018, although the country is eyeing two launches in January 2019, including of its second moon mission, Chandrayaan 2.

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