Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:18am on 03 Jan 2024,Wednesday Science
In a first, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its advanced communication satellite GSAT-20 on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The 4,700 kg satellite offering high throughput capacity will lift off from Florida likely in Q2, 2023. This is ISRO's maiden deal with SpaceX to launch a satellite. ISRO chief S. Somanath said no other rocket was available on time to launch GSAT-20. The commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL) signed the contract as ISRO lacks capacity beyond 4-ton satellites. NSIL said choosing SpaceX made commercial sense despite France's Arianespace being India's trusted partner for heavy satellite launches traditionally. The renewed GSAT-20 or GSAT-N2 will provide broadband services across India.
