The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch its communication satellite aboard the Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between ISRO and the American aerospace company.
The launch is scheduled for November 19, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The satellite is designed to enhance India’s communication infrastructure. The 4700-kilogram GSAT-N2 satellite aims to provide data or internet services to remote areas. It will also enable the availability of the Internet in aeroplanes across the Indian region.
This satellite, also referred to as GSAT-N2, weighs 4,700 kg and is too heavy for ISRO’s own rockets to carry, necessitating this partnership with SpaceX.
Isro’s heaviest launch vehicle, the LVM-3 is capable of launching 4000 kg spacecraft in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. However, as GSAT-N2 weighs 4,700 kg, the space agency is using SpaceX’s launch vehicle.
This marks ISRO’s first commercial launch using SpaceX. GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) is a Ka-band high-throughput communication satellite of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO.
The satellite features multiple spot beams and aims to support a large subscriber base with small user terminals.
According to ISRO, GSAT-N2 has a mission life of 14 years and is equipped with 32 user beams, comprising 8 narrow spot beams over the Northeast region and 24 wide spot beams over the rest of India, which will be supported by hub stations located throughout India.
“This homegrown satellite when operational will fill that big hole of in-flight Internet connectivity that exists over India on the world Internet map,” said Dr M Sankaran, Director of UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru.
Till now, whenever international flights enter the Indian air space, they have to switch off the Internet as India does not allow this service. But recently, India amended rules to permit in-flight internet access over India.
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As per the new rules, Wi-Fi services can be provided inside aircraft at an altitude of over 3,000 metres. However, passengers would only be able to use these services when electronic devices are allowed for use on the aircraft.
