Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
India's most advanced satellite, GSAT-20, blasted into space atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, launching from Florida’s Cape Canaveral. This midnight mission aims to bring broadband to remote regions and in-flight internet to air travelers.
“GSAT-20 achieved a precise orbit,” announced Radhakrishnan Durairaj, Chairman of NSIL, ISRO's commercial arm, monitoring the launch from Cape Canaveral. The satellite’s journey took just 34 minutes, paving the way for enhanced connectivity across India.
The GSAT-20, a 4,700 kg powerhouse, is the first ISRO satellite exclusively using the high-speed Ka band, which operates between 27 and 40 GHz. This frequency unlocks significant bandwidth, enabling reliable, high-speed communication services.
This launch marks ISRO’s first collaboration with SpaceX, arranged through New Space India Limited. Leveraging Falcon 9's two-stage rocket design, ISRO sought a dedicated mission, avoiding co-passengers to ensure GSAT-20’s direct journey to orbit.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 B-5, a 70-meter-long rocket, provided GSAT-20 with a seamless ride, capable of carrying payloads up to 8,300 kg to geosynchronous transfer orbit. The mission showcases Falcon 9’s power and precision in achieving orbital velocity for GSAT-20’s placement.
The Falcon 9’s first stage booster, on its 19th flight, separated successfully and returned to a drone ship in the Atlantic. SpaceX has now recovered boosters 371 times, maintaining an impressive track record of reusable technology.
Once in orbit, GSAT-20 was taken over by ISRO’s Master Control Facility in Hassan, India. Within days, it will reach its final orbit—36,000 kilometers above India—enabling broad regional coverage for internet and communications.
With a mission life of 14 years, GSAT-20 will be India’s communications backbone. "The satellite is healthy, and its solar panels are deployed," confirmed ISRO Chairman Dr. S Somanath, tracking the launch from Bengaluru.
Falcon 9, a high-performing workhorse with a 99% success rate over 396 launches, underscores the cost-effective precision SpaceX brings. Experts estimate dedicated Falcon 9 launches cost around $70 million, a worthy investment for India’s connectivity leap.