 Render of GSAT-N2 | |
| Names | GSAT-20, GSAT-N2 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | NewSpace India Limited[1][2] |
| COSPAR ID | 2024-214A |
| SATCATno. | 62028 |
| Website | https://www.isro.gov.in/ |
| Mission duration | Planned: 14 years Elapsed: 1 year, 3 months, 1 day |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | I-3K Bus |
| Manufacturer | ISRO Satellite Centre Space Applications Centre |
| Launch mass | 4,700 kg (10,400 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 18 November 2024, 18:30 UTC[3] |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5[3] |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral,SLC‑40 |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Slot | 68° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Ku band |
GSAT-20 (also known asGSAT-N2) is a communication satellite developed byISRO[4] and launched by aSpaceXFalcon 9.[3] The GSAT-20 satellite is funded, owned and operated byNew Space India Limited.[5] The entire capacity onboard GSAT-N2 satellite was leased toDish TV.[1][6] GSAT-20 is a continuation ofGSAT series of communication satellites. The satellite is intended to add data transmission capacity to the communication infrastructure required bySmart Cities Mission of India.
The satellite features a Ka-band high-throughput communications payload with70 Gbit/s[7] throughput utilizing 40 beams offering HTS capacity of nearly48 Gbit/s.[8] Each beam has 2 polarisations, effectively making them 80 beams.[9]
The satellite was initially expected to be launched in 2024 on anLVM 3,[10][11][12] but shifted toFalcon 9 due to the satellite being 700 kg overweight for a successful launch on indigenous platforms.[13]
Hence, the commercial arm of ISRO,New Space India Limited signed a contract withSpaceX for a possible liftoff in the second quarter of 2024. TheSpaceX deal is significant because India had previously relied on theFrance-ledArianespace consortium to launch its heavycommunication satellites, including the now-retiredAriane 5, which ISRO was hoping to use as a backup. The fact that the next few launches of theAriane 6, its successor having been both booked and delayed for launch, ISRO turned toSpaceX. India's own rockets lack the capacity for launching very heavy satellites to thegeostationary orbit beyond 4-ton class, a problem that is planned to be fixed with the introduction of theNGLV.[14][15]
To facilitate in-flight connectivity for automobile services using the Ka-band the space agency is planning to launch the GSAT-20 high throughput satellite next year.
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