Today, Elon Musk-led SpaceX successfully launched ISRO’s GSAT-N2. The launching occurred at the Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida with the Falcon 9 rocket at midnight, 12:01 a.m. This mission underscores the first collaboration between SpaceX and the Indian space agency ISRO. The GSAT-N2 will enhance broadband services and in-flight internet connectivity across India.
Around 30 minutes after the lift-off of the GSAT-N2, NSIL (New Space India Limited) announced that it had entered a GTO (Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit). NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO, and this launch was a part of its agreement with SpaceX. ISRO’s Master Control Facility was used to launch the satellite.
The GSAT-N2 satellite, launched to enhance internet connectivity, weighs around 4.700 kg and has a mission life of 14 years. According to ISRO, this satellite has 32 user beams, 8 of which are over the Northeast and 24 wide spot beams over the rest of the country. All 32 beams will receive support from hub stations in mainland India.
ISRO took aid from SpaceX to launch GSAT-N2 because this satellite was too heavy for its rocket. The best rocket of ISRO, LVM-3, can take up to 4000 kg spacecraft into orbit. ISRO generally takes help from European launch service provider Arianespace for satellite launches, but due to rockets not being available in that company, the Indian space agency opted for Elon Musk, famous for AI utilisation.
