India’s GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) communication satellite was successfully launched by SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket on November 19, 2024.
Key points
- It was launched from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
- Falcon-9 put the GSAT-N2 to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. This is India’s first collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
- It is a Ka-band high-throughput communication satellite of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which is the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- According to the ISRO, the satellite will enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity across the Indian region.
- The satellite offers Ka-Ka band HTS capacity with 32 beams having pan-India coverage, including Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.
- The GSAT-N2, with a lift-off mass of 4,700 kg, has a mission life of 14 years.
- The satellite is equipped with 32 user beams, comprising eight narrow spot beams over the northeast region and 24 wide spot beams over the rest of India.
- These 32 beams will be supported by hub stations located within mainland India.
- The Ka-Band HTS communication payload provides a throughput of approximately 48 Gbps.
