In a first-ever mission for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Indian space agency decided to hire the services of SpaceX to launch its most advanced communication satellite GSAT-N2. Making history, on November 18, 2024, Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched the satellite GSAT-N2 on its Falcon-9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the USA.
The Geosynchronous SATellite N2 (GSAT-N2) is the 2nd Demand Driven mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a government-run, commercial arm for the ISRO. GSAT-24 (or GSAT-N1) was NSIL’s first demand-driven satellite, launched from Kourou, French Guiana on June 23, 2022, on board the Ariane-5 rocket.
The GSAT-N2 lift-off happened at 1:31 pm EST (1831 UTC), the opening of a roughly two-hour window. Over a nearly 34-minute flight, GSAT-N2 was successfully deployed into its intended Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with a Perigee of 250 km, and Apogee of 59,730 km at 27.5 degree inclination. The satellite is reported to be healthy and solar panels have successfully deployed. As described by NSIL on their official website, post-separation of GSAT-N2, ISRO’s Master Control Facility at Hassan, India, took control and initial data received indicates good health of the satellite. GSAT-20 is India’s first satellite to operate exclusively on gamma-band frequencies, advancing the nation’s communication technology. In the coming few days, the orbit of GSAT-N2 would be raised from GTO to Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO), through a series of orbit-raising manoeuvres using the satellite’s onboard chemical propulsion system. The satellite would be finally positioned at 68 deg. E longitude for delivering its operational services.
GSAT-N2 launch has been a unique story of navigating the challenges of a complex mission. This satellite has been under development for a few years, and it was originally planned to be launched onboard ISRO’s LVM3. However, GSAT-N2 had a mass of 4,700 kilograms, whereas the Indian LVM3 lacked the capacity to GTO beyond 4,000 kilograms
The satellite has been built by ISRO based on the standard Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) based I-4K satellite bus. NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan D said, “The successful launch of GSAT-N2 by NSIL marks the beginning of the commercially competitive satellite capacity solutions being available to Indian VSAT operators for meeting the country’s Broadband and IFMC service needs.” GSAT-N2 is an advanced Ka*Ka band high-throughput satellite (HTS), each beam with two polarisation, operating frequency between 27 to 42 GHz, thereby enabling it with a throughput capacity of 48 Gbps.
GSAT-N2 with a life span of 14 years, has a multi-beam architecture (32 spot beams), thereby significantly enhancing system throughput that will boost its broadband, voice and internet services over the Indian skies and enable in-flight connectivity throughout India, both for international and Indian aircraft and vessels. Its 8 narrow spot beams cover the Northeast region and the balance 24 wide spot beams cover the rest of India, supported by hub stations located within mainland India. The satellite will offer pan India coverage, including over the entire Jammu and Kashmir; Andaman & Nicobar; and Lakshadweep islands. The satellite will support India’s Smart Cities initiative and improve broadband services, especially in underserved regions.
This is the first time that ISRO has approached SpaceX for launch. Except for the first three INSAT launches between 1982 and 1992, India has always relied on its own launch vehicles and employed French Ariane Vehicle for heavier communication satellites.
GSAT-N2 launch has been a unique and inspiring story of navigating through the challenges involved in a complex mission. This satellite has been under development for a few years, it was originally planned to be launched onboard ISRO’s LVM3. However, GSAT-N2 had a mass of 4,700 kilograms, whereas the Indian LVM3 lacked the capacity to GTO beyond 4,000 kilograms (4-ton class).
“The successful launch of GSAT-N2 by NSIL marks the beginning of the commercially competitive satellite capacity solutions being available to Indian VSAT operators for meeting the country’s Broadband and IFMC service needs,” says Radhakrishnan D, the NSIL Chairman and Managing Director
Ariane-5 having been phased out in July 2022, GSAT-N2 did not have its services available. Its successor, the Ariane-6 got delayed and did its maiden launch only in July 2024. The other option was to approach the US’s United Launch Alliance, wherein its remaining Atlas-5 rockets were already committed to other customers and its new Vulcan Centaur rocket is still under development. Also, Japanese H-2A rockets were not available for commercial use and Blue Origin’s New Glenn also has yet to launch. In order to adhere to its planned launch schedule, NSIL thus chose Falcon-9 for launch and signed a contract on January 2 this year with SpaceX.
Falcon-9 rocket is a heavy lifter, with a payload capacity of 8,300 kg to GTO. It is considered one of the most trustworthy and reliable launch vehicles, being used by the European Space Agency (ESA) for some of its science missions and the European Commission has also launched two pairs of its Galileo navigation satellites on Falcon-9 rockets in 2024.
The Falcon-9 rocket is a two-stage rocket. The first (booster) stage carries the second stage and payload to a predetermined speed and altitude, after which the second stage accelerates the payload to its target orbit. The booster is capable of landing vertically to facilitate reuse, this feat was first achieved on a flight on December 20, 2015. Both stages are powered by SpaceX Merlin engines, using cryogenic liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) as propellants.
Reusability allows SpaceX to refly the most expensive parts of the rocket, thereby bringing down the cost of access to space. The GSAT-2N launch was the 19th flight for the Falcon-9 first-stage booster. It is also interesting to note that the launch of GSAT-N2 was the third for SpaceX within a span of a few hours – before GSAT-N2, SpaceX launched a satellite for the Australian telecom company Optus on November 17 and a batch of its own Starlink broadband satellites on November 18.
NSIL chose Falcon-9 for launch and signed a contract with SpaceX in January. Falcon-9 rocket is a heavy lifter, with a payload capacity of 8,300 kg to GTO. The European Space Agency used it for some of its science missions and the European Commission also launched two pairs of Galileo navigation satellites on Falcon-9 rockets in 2024
India’s rockets lack the capacity for launching heavy satellites to the GTO beyond the 4-ton class. This capability gap is planned to be fixed with the introduction of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). ISRO Chairman S Somanath stated the urgent need for a heavier rocket, the NGLV, capable of lifting up to 10,000 kilograms. The NGLV is under design at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center and is expected to become a reality in the coming years.
Space, once considered a vast and uncontested domain, has witnessed a paradigm shift in recent years. The exponential growth in space-related activities, both civilian and military, has necessitated a re-evaluation of traditional approaches to the space domain. Consequent to the space sector reforms from 2020 onwards, ISRO and other Indian entities have very much recognised the imperative of collaboration in navigating through an increasingly congested and contested space environment. The launch of GSAT-N2 in a subtle manner underscores ISRO’s commitment to collaboration and cooperation in addressing the rising challenges within the space domain irrespective of the intricacies involved in navigating through such complexities.
Commercial space launches globally have taken a new turn with the entry of private companies into the business in recent times. Today, there are several private players aiming for commercial missions from various countries, this capability needs to be leveraged. The successful launch of GSAT-N2 highlights that the art of championing international collaboration as a global imperative and needs to be imbibed in their respective work culture by various stakeholders.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced in October that the first Technology Demonstrator Satellite (TDS-01), featuring indigenously developed electric thrusters, will be launched by the end of this year. The path ahead is well laid out to enhance India’s space capability in the next few months and the Indian space ecosystem looks up to it
The successful launch of the high-tech communication GSAT-N2 satellite through collaborative efforts is praiseworthy. ISRO is highly cognisant of the need to hasten the development of NGLV to reduce dependency on foreign agencies as far as possible. Reusable launch rocket is another aspect which the ISRO has been investing in its various developmental efforts. At the same time, another challenge that needs to be combated is to consider making the design of satellite bus more efficient and lighter.
Presently, traditional satellite thrusters require a significant amount of liquid fuel, primarily to shift from a GTO to a GSO and to maintain position against gravitational shifts. Electric propulsion, however, drastically reduces this requirement, allowing for a lighter satellite structure. In this regard, ISRO is gearing up to test its homegrown electric propulsion system, an innovation that promises to reduce satellite weight and enhance functionality. ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced in October this year that the first Technology Demonstrator Satellite (TDS-01), featuring indigenously developed electric thrusters, will be launched by the end of this year. Overall, the path ahead is well laid out to enhance India’s space capability in the next few months and the Indian space ecosystem looks up to it.
–The writer is an IAF veteran and has been involved in air operations, intelligence and strategic matters. He has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Off Ops) at Air HQ and Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Tech Int) at HQ – IDS, appointments related to offensive operations, UAV, space and ISR matters. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
