Source: HINDU

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Context

India’s GSAT-N2 communication satellite was successfully launched into space by SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket. This marked India’s first collaboration with SpaceX, a company led by Elon Musk.

What is GSAT-N2?

GSAT-N2 (also known as CMS-03 or GSAT-20) is a high-throughput communication satellite developed to enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity across India including remote regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Specifications:

Weight: 4,700 kg at liftoff

Mission life: 14 years

Frequency: Operates on the Ka-band, allowing faster and more efficient communication.

Spot beams: 32 user beams covering the entire Indian region.

Unique Features of GSAT-N2

32 Beams for Wide Coverage:

8 narrow beams for the northeast region.

24 wide beams for the rest of India.

All beams are supported by hub stations on mainland India.

High Throughput:

The satellite can provide a data transfer speed of 48 Gbps using its Ka-band HTS (High Throughput Satellite) payload.

Advanced Equipment:

Equipped with Sun, Earth, and Star Sensors for accurate positioning.

Carries an Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) for precise attitude data.

Reflectors and Configuration:

Features three parabolic 2.5-meter deployable reflectors.

Uses a single feed per beam setup to generate 32 spot beams over India.

Purpose:

Enhances communication infrastructure for India’s Smart Cities Mission

 Adds significant data transmission capacity

What Makes This Launch Special?

This is the first time India partnered with SpaceX to launch a satellite.

GSAT-N2 is NSIL’s second demand-driven satellite. Such satellites are built and operated to meet specific user needs, following reforms introduced by the Indian government in 2020.

The satellite will support a large subscriber base with small user terminals making broadband services more accessible across the country.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the commercial arm of the Department of Space (DoS) under the Government of India, headquartered in Banglore was established in 2019. NSIL was created to advance high-technology space activities within the country.  They handle the construction, launch, ownership, and operation of satellites, providing services directly to customers.

Past Demand-Driven Satellite Missions

GSAT-24 launched in June 2022, it was NSIL’s first demand-driven satellite. Its capacity was fully booked by Tata Play.

SpaceX’s Falcon-9 Rocket

This was the 19th flight for the Falcon-9 first-stage booster. The booster has supported missions like SES-22, Amazon’s HAKUTO-R, CRS-27, and multiple Starlink missions.

Reason for selection:

GSAT-20 was 700 kg overweight for indigenous platforms (e.g., LVM 3). 

India’s rockets cannot yet carry very heavy satellites to geostationary orbits (above 4-ton class). 

 Previously relied on France’s Arianespace consortium.

Read about SpaceX and Falcon: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/falcon-9-to-launch-gsat-20

Sources:

HINDU

 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.The collaboration between India’s ISRO and SpaceX for the launch of GSAT-20 marks a significant milestone in India's space program. Discuss the technological and strategic implications of this partnership. (250 words)