Why did ISRO collaborate with Elon Musk’s SpaceX? Satellite GSAT-N2 successfully launched

India’s most advanced communications satellite was successfully launched into space by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which took off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, US. Just one minute after midnight on Tuesday, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) sent its most sophisticated communications satellite into outer space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on a 34-minute journey, its 396th flight.

What will the satellite do?

Named GSAT N-2, also known as GSAT 20, the fully commercial satellite weighs 4,700 kg and is designed to provide broadband services to remote areas as well as in-flight navigation for passenger aircraft. Designed to provide in-flight internet. The launch took place from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, a site leased to SpaceX by the US Space Force, a branch of the armed forces established in 2019 to protect the country’s space assets.

Why is this launch important?

This launch represents the first collaboration between ISRO and SpaceX through ISRO’s commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL). Additionally, it is the first satellite built by ISRO that exclusively uses the advanced Ka-band frequency – a range of radio frequencies between 27 and 40 gigahertz (GHz) that allows higher bandwidth. By using multiple spot beams, GSAT-N2 will increase the efficiency and coverage of broadband services in various regions of India.

Why did ISRO collaborate with SpaceX?

ISRO chose to collaborate with SpaceX for the GSAT-20 launch primarily due to its reliance on Arianespace’s Ariane rocket for previous heavy payload missions from French Guiana. Currently, ISRO lacks operational rockets capable of launching payloads as much as 4,700 kg. India’s launch vehicle, LVM-3, has a capacity of up to 4,000 kg, but the requirements for this launch exceeded ISRO’s capabilities. As a result, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was selected for this mission.