Highlights

  • ISRO ropes in SpaceX for satellite launch
  • GSAT-20 to be launched in the second quarter of 2024
  • TGSAT-20 to provide high-speed internet connectivity

Latest news

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

2 dead, 75 rescued after speed boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast

2 dead, 75 rescued after speed boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

ISRO ropes in Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch internet connectivity satellite

For the first time, ISRO will launch its heavy communication satellite using SpaceX's Falcon-9 heavy lift launcher from Florida in the second quarter of 2024. 

ISRO ropes in Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch internet connectivity satellite

The Indian space agency has roped in Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch its next-generation heavy communications satellite called GSAT-20 (renamed GSAT-N2).

The satellite, which is a high-throughput Ka-band satellite primarily aimed at meeting India’s growing connectivity needs, will be lifted off using the Falcon-9 heavy lift launcher from Florida in the second quarter of 2024, NSIL, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said in a statement.

The satellite intends to provide high-band internet connectivity across India, especially in remote areas.

To provide internet in remote areas

“NSIL will fully own, operate and fund the 4,700kg satellite, which can provide up to 48Gbps of capacity across 32 beams covering all of India including the Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands,” it said.

This is the first time that ISRO has taken the help of SpaceX to launch its big communication satellites as it has traditionally relied on the France-led Arianespace consortium.

India has often relied on foreign space agencies to carry its heavy satellites as its own rockets lack the capacity to carry heavy satellites into orbit. Currently, ISRO’s LVM3 rocket is capable of placing only 4,000 kg mass into geostationary transfer orbit while Falcon-9 has nearly double the capacity.

India's quest to build heavy rockets

According to NDTV, India has launched 23 of its heavy-duty communications satellites on the rocket owned by the European Space Agency.

ISRO chief S Somanath has been stressing the need to urgently build a heavier rocket called the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) which can lift up to 10,000 kilograms to the same orbit. Currently, one such heavy rocket is being designed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center and is expected to take a few more years to come to fruition.

Indian government's space reforms

The NSIL (NewSpace India Limited) was created in 2020 as part of the Indian government's space reforms. The government-owned entity comes under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the ISRO. It has been tasked with building, launching, owning and operating satellites that address service needs on demand.

In June 2022, NSIL successfully launched its first demand-driven satellite mission, GSAT-24, which is fully leased by TataPlay. NSIL currently owns and operates 11 communication satellites in orbit.

“The bulk of GSAT-20’s high-throughput satellite (HTS) capacity has already been secured by Indian service providers for broadband services as well as in-flight and maritime connectivity,” NSIL said.

(With inputs from agencies)

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

ISRO ropes in Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch internet connectivity satellite

ISRO ropes in Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch internet connectivity satellite

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

One dead, 66 rescued after ferry capsizes off Mumbai coast

One dead, 66 rescued after ferry capsizes off Mumbai coast

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

Hindi poet Gagan Gill, English writer Easterine Kire among recipients of Sahitya Akademi Awards

Hindi poet Gagan Gill, English writer Easterine Kire among recipients of Sahitya Akademi Awards

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from January: CM Dhami

Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from January: CM Dhami

One Nation, One Election: Priyanka Gandhi to join Parliamentary panel on simultaneous polls

One Nation, One Election: Priyanka Gandhi to join Parliamentary panel on simultaneous polls

Rajya Sabha: Opposition stalls proceedings over Shah's remarks on Ambedkar

Rajya Sabha: Opposition stalls proceedings over Shah's remarks on Ambedkar

2020 Delhi riots: Court Grants Umar Khalid 7-Day Bail

2020 Delhi riots: Court Grants Umar Khalid 7-Day Bail

Derek O'Brien files privilege notice against Home Minister Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

Derek O'Brien files privilege notice against Home Minister Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

Court doors always open to suggestion, demand: Supreme Court after Punjab says farmers refusing talks

Court doors always open to suggestion, demand: Supreme Court after Punjab says farmers refusing talks

Tata Steel Launches India’s First All-Women Iron Ore Mining Shift

Tata Steel Launches India’s First All-Women Iron Ore Mining Shift

Delhi Elections: Kejriwal announces free healthcare for senior citizens under Sanjeevani Yojana

Delhi Elections: Kejriwal announces free healthcare for senior citizens under Sanjeevani Yojana

BJP Leader Urges CM Yogi to Reclaim Ayodhya Mosque Land Citing Non-Compliance

BJP Leader Urges CM Yogi to Reclaim Ayodhya Mosque Land Citing Non-Compliance

Pakistan issues 84 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit Katas Raj temples

Pakistan issues 84 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit Katas Raj temples

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.