In a significant move, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has turned to SpaceX, an American company, for launching its next-generation heavy communications satellite, GSAT-20. This marks the first time ISRO will utilize SpaceX’s Falcon-9 heavy lift launcher, which is expected to lift off from Florida on a dedicated Indian mission. This collaboration signifies a shift in India’s approach, as it has heavily relied on the France-led Arianespace consortium to launch its heavy satellites in the past.
ISRO’s currently lacks a rocket capable of launching very heavy satellites beyond the 4-ton class to the geostationary orbit, 22,000 miles above Earth. The company’s Chairman S. Somanath acknowledged that India had to approach SpaceX since “no other rocket was available in time.”
The commercial arm of ISRO, New Space India Limited, has signed a contract with SpaceX for a possible launch in the second quarter of this year.
According to New Space India, GSAT-20, also known as GSAT-N2, offers Ka-Ka band high throughput (HTS) capacity with 32 beams, providing pan-India coverage, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jammu & Kashmir, and Lakshadweep. The satellite weighs over 10,000 pounds and offers an HTS capacity of nearly 48 Gbps, designed to meet the demanding service needs of remote and unconnected regions.
To address India’s launch capability limitations, ISRO is working on developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle which can lift up to 22,ooo pounds to the geostationary orbit. Somanath stressed the urgent need for this heavier rocket, as “India’s launch capability has to be enhanced to meet future needs while being cost-competitive.” The NGLV is currently being designed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center and will take a few more years to become operational.
