SpaceX is set to launch India's GSAT-20 communications satellite on November 19, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission will use the Falcon 9 rocket and represents the first commercial collaboration between SpaceX and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as announced in a press release.
The GSAT-20, also referred to as GSAT-N2, weighs 4,700 kilograms and is designed to enhance communication services in India. It features a Ka-band high-throughput communications payload and has an expected mission lifespan of 14 years. Due to its weight, which exceeds the capacity of ISRO's heaviest launch vehicle, LVM-3 (capable of launching 4,000 kilograms into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit), the satellite will be launched by SpaceX.
Once operational, GSAT-20 will provide internet connectivity in remote areas and in-flight internet services within Indian airspace. The satellite is equipped with 32 user beams, including eight narrow spot beams and 24 wide spot beams, supported by hub stations across India.
This partnership comes as India shifts from using European launch services, such as those provided by Arianespace, which currently lacks operational rockets, and considers geopolitical factors limiting collaborations with Russia and China.
Additionally, ISRO is indirectly associated with SpaceX through another project involving an Indian astronaut's planned mission to the International Space Station in 2025. The astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is training with Axiom Space, which will use SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft for transportation to and from the space station.
The launch highlights India's evolving satellite capabilities and the growing international collaboration in the space sector.
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