In a first, India's NSIL to launch communication satellite on SpaceX's Falcon rocket

In a landmark event, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s commercial offshoot, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), is set to deploy its heavy communication satellite GSAT 20 using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets. This will mark the first time ISRO has utilized SpaceX's services. Slated for mid-year, the satellite will weigh around 4,700 kg and is designed to provide exceptionally high-speed Internet services.

ISRO had to adapt after the retirement of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 heavy-blift launch vehicle, usually employed for satellites over 4,000kg, in the preceding year. Its replacement, Ariane 6, yet to make its debut, led ISRO to use SpaceX’s Falcon 9, a reusable rocket with a prodigious ability to carry over 8,300 kg to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

NSIL, as ISRO's business arm, was instrumental in enabling this partnership. After signing a launch agreement with SpaceX the previous year, NSIL is poised to execute the deployment of GSAT 20 through its launch service contract with SpaceX.

The GSAT 20, originally planned for launch in 2018 and later in 2020, has the primary function of filling high-speed connectivity voids in India's rural and remote areas. It will also provide in-flight Internet services, boasting high data transmission capacity across the whole country, including in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Following the successful launch of GSAT 24 last year, facilitated by NSIL, the upcoming launch of GSAT 20 will be the second “demand-driven” satellite launch. The entire capacity of GSAT 24 was procured by Tata Play, a direct-to-home broadcaster. In leveraging SpaceX's prowess in its operations, ISRO aims to broaden its satellite deployment avenues to augment India's communication infrastructure.