SpaceX Successfully Launches GSAT-20 Satellite from India into Space.

Science and Technology

On 19th November 2024, SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket successfully launched India's Geosynchronous Satellite (GSAT)-N2 (or GSAT-20) from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States of America (USA).


      - The satellite was developed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

      - This marks the first collaboration between NSIL and SpaceX for a satellite launch.

      - The satellite launch cost between USD 60-70 million, with NSIL paying nearly Rs 500 crore for the launch.

Main Points:-   (i) GSAT-N2 or GSAT-20 is a 4,700 kilograms (kg) satellite, heavier than any other indigenous rockets of India. The satellite has a mission life of 14 years and will provide internet and communication services across India, including remote regions.

      (ii) The satellite features a Ka-Band high-throughput communication payload with a capacity of 48 Gbps (Gigabit per second), enhancing data transmission capabilities.

(iii) The satellite is equipped with 32 user beams, of which 8 narrow spot beams cover the Northeast region, while 24 wide spot beams cater to the rest of India.
About ISRO

Chairman : Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Headquarters: Bengaluru
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