Why is it in the news?
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, has opted to use a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket to launch the communication satellite GSAT-20 in the year
About GSAT-20 (Renamed GSAT-N2)
- GSAT-20 is classified as a high-throughput Ka-band satellite.
- Uniquely, it will be fully owned, operated, and funded by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
- Weighing 4700 kg, GSAT-20 has been meticulously designed to meet the challenging service requirements of remote and unconnected regions.
- Significantly surpassing the launch capacity of ISRO’s most potent rocket, the LVM-3, which can handle spacecraft weighing up to 4000 kg into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), GSAT-20 showcases technological advancements.
- The GSAT-20 satellite is specifically tailored to cater to the demanding service needs of remote and unconnected regions, emphasizing the significance of satellite technology in bridging digital divides.
- GSAT-20 marks the second instance of a “demand-driven” satellite launch facilitated by NSIL.
- In a prior successful mission, NSIL launched GSAT-24, with TataPlay securing its capacity for Direct-To-Home broadcasting, illustrating the practical implementation of demand-driven initiatives.
- The launch of GSAT-20 aligns with India’s 2020 space sector reforms, wherein NSIL is mandated to operate in a “demand-driven mode.” In this mode, the identification of end customers for satellite capacity occurs before the satellite’s launch, streamlining the utilization of space assets.
NSIL
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is a pivotal entity as the commercial arm of ISRO, incorporated in March 2019.
- Operating as a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Space, NSIL plays a crucial role in commercializing space activities.
- NSIL presently oversees and manages 11 communication satellites in orbit, further solidifying its position in the space industry.
- NSIL’s mandate encompasses several critical aspects of space operations, including owning satellites for Earth Observation and Communication applications.
- Additionally, NSIL provides launch services for satellites, fostering satellite building through the Indian industry, and facilitating technology transfer to enhance indigenous capabilities.
