The Indian Space Research Organisation’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), is primed for the launch of GSAT-20 (GSAT-N2) using SpaceX’s Falcon-9 in 2024. The Falcon 9 is the first ever reusable orbital class two-stage rocket, built by SpaceX to safely and reliably transport payloads and people into Earth’s orbit and beyond.
About GSAT-20
Designed as a high throughput Ka-band satellite, GSAT-20 is set to offer high-speed broadband internet connectivity, digital video transmission, and audio transmission. This launch comes in response to India’s escalating broadband communication requirements. GSAT-20 has been engineered to provide coverage throughout India, encompassing remote areas like Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as Lakshadweep Islands. With a stunning high throughput satellite (HTS) capacity close to 48Gbps, it consists of 32 beams specifically constructed to fulfill the service requirements of underserved regions and bridge connectivity gaps.
The Ka-band that GSAT-20 uses ranges from 27 to 40 GHz radio frequencies, facilitating high-speed satellite data transfers via focused spot beams over wide coverage areas.
Understanding NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
NSIL is a wholly owned Government of India company, incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 on 6th March 2019, which falls under the Department of Space’s (DOS) administrative control. Its core responsibility involves empowering Indian industries to undertake high technology space related activities. In addition, it promotes and commercially exploits products and services emerging from the Indian space programme.
The major business areas of NSIL encompass several significant components. These include production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) through industry, production and marketing of space-based services such as transponder leasing, remote sensing, mission support services, and launch services. NSIL also takes care of building both Communication and Earth Observation Satellites as per user requirements, transferring technology developed by ISRO centres/units and constituent institutions of Dept. of Space, marketing spin off technologies and products/services emanating out of ISRO activities and offering consultancy services.
In June 2022, NSIL completed its first demand-driven satellite mission, GSAT-24, securing it fully by Tata Play, a satellite television service. Presently, NSIL manages and operates 11 communication satellites orbiting the earth.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
For reference, a previous year’s question from the UPSC Civil Services Examination concerning India’s satellite launch vehicles was: “PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only”. The correct answer was (a).
Last Modified: February 23, 2024