Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has chosen billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch its next-generation heavy communications satellite, GSAT-20, marking the first-time reliance on SpaceX's Falcon-9 heavy lift launcher.
The deal underscores a significant shift as ISRO traditionally leaned on the France-led Arianespace consortium for launching heavy satellites, highlighting India's current lack of a domestic rocket with the capacity for larger communication satellites.
The move to engage SpaceX exposes ISRO's vulnerability in lacking a rocket capable of lifting substantial communication satellites. ISRO Chairman S Somanath acknowledges the necessity to opt for SpaceX due to the unavailability of an alternative rocket in a timely manner.
New Space India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm, has inked a contract with SpaceX for the launch, slated for the second quarter of the year.
GSAT-20, set to be renamed GSAT-N2, offers high-throughput capacity with 32 beams covering Pan-India, including remote regions like Andaman & Nicobar, Jammu & Kashmir, and Lakshadweep islands. Weighing 4,700 kg, it boasts an HTS capacity of nearly 48 Gbps.
GSAT-N2 aims to provide broadband internet access to remote areas, entering into competition with emerging players like OneWeb, Starlink, and Reliance Jiospace.
While Arianespace served as a reliable partner for India's heavy-duty satellite launches, the retirement of its trusted rocket Ariane-5 and delays in the replacement Ariane-6 prompted India to explore other options.
With India's heaviest rocket limited to lifting 4,000 kg satellites, ISRO emphasizes the urgency to develop the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) with a capacity of up to 10,000 kg to meet future needs and maintain cost competitiveness.