New Delhi: In a significant development in space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s GSAT-N2 satellite was successfully launched by Elon Musk's SpaceX on Tuesday (Indian time), with the Centre congratulating ISRO for registering "one success after the other".
"Kudos team ISRO & SpaceX for successful launch of GSAT N2! Aims at enhancing internet services, including in remote areas as well as in-flight connectivity. With personal intervention of PM Sh @narendramodi, ISRO has been able to register one success after the other," Dr Jitendra Singh, Union MoS Science and Technology (Independent charge) said in a post on X.
Kudos team #ISRO & #SpaceX for successful launch of #GSAT N2!
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 19, 2024
Aims at enhancing internet services, including in remote areas as well as in-flight connectivity. With personal intervention of PM Sh @narendramodi, ISRO has been able to register one success after the other. pic.twitter.com/rFiZfpOIFG
In a post on X at 12.36 am on Tuesday (IST), SpaceX confirmed the deployment of the GSAT-N2 satellite. The project is the first such launch by Elon Musk's company for the ISRO.
Liftoff of GSAT-N2! pic.twitter.com/4JqOrQINzE
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 18, 2024
Falcon9, the rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX, lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida carrying the ISRO GSAT-20 communication satellite, which weighs around 4,700 kg.
ISRO's heaviest launch vehicle, LVM-3, can launch a 4000 kg spacecraft. As such, the current demand necessitated external partnerships culminating in the historic ISRO-SpaceX collaboration. The GSAT-N2 satellite will support India's Smart Cities Mission, enhancing data transmission capacity and is dubbed to revolutionize internet connectivity in remote areas. It will also allow in-flight internet services.
Satellite successfully placed into orbit: NCIL
The GSAT-N2, launched by Space X from Cape Canaveral, has successfully been placed into orbit, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm said in a series of posts on X on Tuesday.
"GSAT-N2 weighing 4700 kg has been injected into the desired Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) has taken control of the satellite. Preliminary data indicates satellite in good health," it said.
GSAT-N2 weighing 4700 kg has been injected into the desired Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) has taken control of the satellite. Preliminary data indicates satellite in good health.
— NSIL (@NSIL_India) November 18, 2024
(2/3)
A Demand Driven satellite of NSIL, GSAT-N2 is a 48 Gbps, Ka-band High throughput communication satellite that will enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity across the Indian region, NSIL said.
Key Features Of GSAT-N2
- Weight: 4,700 kg, exceeding India's launch vehicle capacity.
- Launch Vehicle: SpaceX's Falcon 9.
- Payload: GSAT-N2 is a 48 Gbps, Ka-band High throughput communication satellite.
- Beams: GSAT-N2 has 32 user beams, comprising 8 narrow spot beams and 24 wide spot beams.
- Orbit: GSAT-N2 injected into the desired Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) has taken control of the satellite.
Read More
