In a first, India to launch GSAT 20 satellite on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket: Details here

For the first time, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch a communication satellite on a SpaceX rocket. NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the ISRO's commercial arm, announced on Tuesday its plans to launch communication satellite GSAT 20 onboard Elon Musk owned SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

The launch is likely to take place in the second quarter of 2024. The of the country. "NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to undertake its 2nd Demand Driven satellite mission “GSAT 20 [GSAT N2] : Ka band HTS satellite" during 2nd quarter of 2024…" read the issued by the NSIL on Tuesday.

This will be India's first partnership with a venture led by billionaire in the country. Musk, who is the chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla, is keen to bring his Starlink satellite broadband to India, reported. What is GSAT 20 GSAT 20 (renamed as GSAT N2) is a high throughput Ka band satellite.

Ka band satellites deliver high speed broadband internet connectivity and digital video and audio transmission. In the statement, the state owned NSIL said the bulk of the high throughput satellite (HTS) capacity onboard GSAT 20 satellite has already been secured by Indian service providers. “GSAT 20 offers Ka band HTS capacity with 32 beams having pan India coverage including in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands," it said.

"GSAT 20, weighing 4,700 kg, offers HTS capacity of nearly 48Gpbs. The satellite has been specifically designed to meet the demanding service needs of remote/unconnected regions," the statement read. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket The NSIL said it is realising GSAT 20 satellite through the ISRO and will be launched onboard Falcon 9 under a launch service contract between the NSIL and the SpaceX, USA.

Falcon 9 is a reusable, two stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX “for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond", the Elon Musk's company explained. “Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital class reusable rocket. Reusability allows SpaceX to re fly the most expensive parts of the rocket, which in turn drives down the cost of space access," it added.

‘Demand Driven satellite missions’ and GSAT 20 Sharing details of the the “Demand Driven satellite missions", NSIL said, “As part of Space Sector reforms announced by government of India during June 2020, NSIL was mandated to build, launch, own and operate satellites in “Demand driven mode" for meeting service needs of the user." On similar lines, the NSIL will be undertaking the GSAT 20 satellite mission during second quarter of 2024.

This will "offer cost effective Ka Ka band HTS capacity primarily for meeting the Broadband, as well as IFMC (In Flight and Maritime Connectivity) and cellular backhaul service needs", the company said. Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away!.