GSAT

GSAT-20

GSAT-20, also known as CMS-03 or GSAT-N2, is a high-throughput communication satellite jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL). It is scheduled to be launched in the second quarter of 2024 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking the first time ISRO will launch a satellite on a private rocket.

• The NSIL will own, operate, and finance the high-throughput Ka-band satellite (HTS) GSAT-20 in its entirety.

Key features of GSAT-20

• High-throughput Ka-band satellite: It will provide high-speed broadband internet connectivity, digital video and audio transmission, and other communication services across India, including remote and underserved regions.
• Electric propulsion: GSAT-20 will be the first ISRO satellite to use electric propulsion to reach its geostationary orbit, making it five to six times more efficient than chemical propulsion.
• Pan-India coverage: The satellite will have 32 beams covering all of India, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.
• Capacity: GSAT-20 will offer a total capacity of nearly 48 Gbps, significantly boosting India’s communication infrastructure.

Additional details about GSAT-20

• Manufacturer: ISRO Satellite Centre and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
• Weight: 4,700 kg
• Expected lifespan: 15 years
• Cost: ₹534 crore

GSAT-20 is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide in India and supporting the country’s growing demand for broadband connectivity. It will also demonstrate ISRO’s technological advancements in satellite development and electric propulsion.