ISRO joins hands with Elon Musk, will launch communication satellite GSAT-20 for the first time from Space

India has partnered with billionaire industrialist Elon Musk for the first time, and the two companies will launch India's communications satellite GSAT-20 (now called GSAT-N2) on SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. The launch of this satellite is scheduled for this year's second quarter.

The Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) commercial branch, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), stated in a statement on Tuesday that the high-powered satellite's goal is to improve broadband communications in India, particularly in rural and isolated regions of the nation. Within. The satellite weighs 4,700 kg, which is greater than the 4,000 kg maximum spacecraft launch capacity that ISRO currently has.

The 48 gigabit per second (GBPS) High Throughput Satellite (HTS) GSAT-20 will be entirely owned, operated, and financed by NSIL. Digital video and audio transmission as well as high-speed broadband connectivity are possible with this Ka-band satellite. It will encompass all of India, including Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Notably, in June 2022, NSIL launched GSAT-24, its first demand-based satellite mission.

With its large satellite launch rocket, ISRO's GSLV-MK3, a four thousand kilogramme payload may be sent into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This is the rationale for ISRO's use of SpaceX's Falcon-9.

8,300 kg of cargo may be installed in GTO by Falcon-9. For heavier satellites up to now, ISRO has used the French corporation Arianespace's services. Nevertheless, ISRO is also working on the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLB), which will be able to send ten thousand kilogrammes of cargo into GTO.