27th June 2024- For the first time, ISRO, the Indian space agency, will launch its newest large satellite, GSAT 20, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in mid-August. ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced the approval of the GSAT 20 satellite and confirmed plans to transport it to the US for the dedicated Falcon 9 launch. This marks a significant shift as India previously relied on Ariane Space for launching heavy satellites.
The GSAT 20, ISRO’s latest communications satellite, weighs 4,700 kg and boasts a high throughput capacity of 48 Gbps, with a design featuring 32 spot beams. ISRO opted for SpaceX due to the incapability of India’s indigenous Launch Vehicle Mark 3 to lift such a heavy satellite.
The Falcon 9 rocket, a two-stage vehicle approximately 70 meters long, has conducted 358 successful launches to date. Mr Somanath also highlighted the need for India’s private sector to develop satellites suitable for launch from India, addressing concerns over insufficient demand for the country’s rockets.
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