SpaceX launches ISRO’s 4,700 kg GSAT-N2 Communication Satellite

Florida, Nov 19, 2024: SpaceX successfully launched India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-N2, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday. Weighing 4,700 kg, the satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant step forward in expanding India’s communication infrastructure. The satellite is expected to enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity across the Indian region, according to NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Due to its heavy payload, which exceeds the capacity of ISRO’s current launch vehicles, the GSAT-N2 satellite had to be launched using a foreign vehicle. Former ISRO Chairman K Sivan explained that the satellite’s size necessitated a launch vehicle beyond ISRO’s capabilities, as the agency’s current vehicles can handle up to 4 tonnes, while GSAT-N2 weighs 4.7 tonnes.

“ISRO has plans to increase its launch vehicle capacities, but for now, we had to rely on SpaceX,” said Sivan. The satellite has been injected into its desired Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), and preliminary data indicates that it is in good health, under the control of ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF).

The GSAT-N2 is a Ka-band high-throughput communication satellite and is the second demand-driven satellite of NSIL. It follows the successful launch of GSAT-24 in June 2022. With a mission life of 14 years, the GSAT-N2 features multiple spot beams and wideband Ka x Ka transponders. Its multi-beam architecture allows for frequency reuse, boosting system throughput and enabling the support of a large subscriber base with small user terminals.

The satellite is equipped with 32 user beams, including eight narrow spot beams over the Northeast region and 24 wide spot beams over the rest of India. These beams will be supported by hub stations located within mainland India, facilitating high-speed communication across the country, even in remote areas.

The GSAT-N2 satellite is built on ISRO’s I4K bus, utilizing a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)-based structure. The satellite’s advanced design is expected to further strengthen India’s communication network, especially in rural and hard-to-reach regions.

Despite recent successes in launching foreign satellites from ISRO’s spaceport in Sriharikota, the lack of capacity to handle heavier payloads prompted the collaboration with SpaceX for this mission. As the satellite industry continues to grow, ISRO is working on enhancing its launch vehicle capabilities to meet future demands.

Former ISRO Chief G Madhavan Nair also pointed out that ISRO is actively working on developing next-generation launch vehicles, which will double the agency’s payload capacity, but until then, partnerships like the one with SpaceX are crucial to advancing India’s space ambitions.