Last Updated:
The satellite has been named GSAT-N2 or GSAT-20, which will provide in-flight internet services in India.
PM Modi with Elon Musk (PTI File Photo)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch its new communication satellite using the Falcon 9 rocket of Elon Musk-owned SpaceX in the USA.
The satellite has been named GSAT-N2 and is also known as GSAT-20, which will provide in-flight internet services in India.
Currently, in-flight internet access is prohibited in India, requiring airlines that provide this service to disable it while flying over Indian airspace. However, the government has recently amended the rules to permit in-flight internet services over India. Under the new regulations, airlines can offer Wi-Fi-based internet services once the aircraft reaches an altitude of 3,000 meters.
The government has also clarified that passengers will be allowed to use internet services through Wi-Fi only when the use of electronic devices is approved onboard, even after the aircraft has reached the specified altitude.
Why Will ISRO Use SpaceX To Launch Satellite?
India’s own Launch Vehicle Mark-3 can lift a maximum of nearly 4,000 kg into a geostationary transfer orbit, however, GSAT-N2 weighs 4,700 kg which is too heavy to be launched by India’s own rockets, forcing ISRO to explore the option of using SpaceX’s heavy launch vehicle. It is a commercial operation under ISRO’s commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL). This will be ISRO’s first commercial launch using SpaceX.
Besides the internet facilities in the flights, the satellite will also cater to the internet service requirements in remote parts of India as well.
What Is ISRO’s GSAT-N2 Satellite?
GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) is a cutting-edge Ka-band high-throughput communication satellite developed by ISRO to revolutionize broadband services and in-flight connectivity (IFC) across India. Equipped with advanced wideband Ka x Ka transponders and multiple spot beams, the satellite is designed to support a vast subscriber base using compact user terminals. Its innovative multi-beam architecture enables efficient frequency reuse, significantly enhancing system throughput and ensuring robust connectivity for users across the region.
The GSAT-N2 satellite, with a lift-off mass of 4,700 kg and a mission lifespan of 14 years, is a key component of India’s advanced communication infrastructure. It features 32 user beams, including 8 narrow spot beams dedicated to the Northeast region and 24 wide spot beams covering the rest of India. These beams are supported by hub stations located within mainland India.
Equipped with a Ka-Band High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) communication payload, GSAT-N2 offers a remarkable data throughput of approximately 48 Gbps.
