In a first, India's NSIL to launch communication satellite on SpaceX's Falcon rocket

In a first of event its kind, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to utilize the services of SpaceX for the first time to deploy its heavy communication satellite GSAT-20. The satellite, weighing approximately 4,700 kg and designed to facilitate very high-speed Internet services, will be launched using SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket in the middle of this year.

ISRO’s traditional reliance on the European launch provider Arianespace for heavier satellites, exceeding 4,000 kg, became a necessity after the retirement of Arianespace’s Ariane-5 heavy launch vehicle in July of the previous year. With its successor, Ariane-6, yet to debut, ISRO turned to SpaceX’s Falcon-9, a reusable rocket with a remarkable capacity of over 8,300 kg to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, played a pivotal role in facilitating this collaboration. Having entered into a launch agreement with SpaceX last year, NSIL will oversee the deployment of GSAT-20 under the launch service contract between NSIL and SpaceX.

GSAT-20, initially scheduled for launch in 2018 and later in 2020, aims to address high-speed connectivity gaps in rural and remote areas of India. Additionally, it is poised to enable in-flight Internet services, offering high data transmission capability across the entire country, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

This marks the second “demand-driven” satellite launch facilitated by NSIL, following the successful launch of GSAT-24 last year. The entire capacity of GSAT-24 was procured by Tata Play, a Direct-To-Home broadcaster. With this strategic move, ISRO looks to leverage SpaceX’s capabilities and expand its satellite deployment options for the benefit of India’s communication infrastructure.

(With input from agencies)