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Successful Launch of India’s GSAT-N2 Satellite by SpaceX’s Falcon-9

  • November 19, 2024
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Successful Launch of India’s GSAT-N2 Satellite by SpaceX’s Falcon-9

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space tech 

Why in News

  • India’s communication satellite, GSAT-N2, was successfully launched into orbit by SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket, marking a significant collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and SpaceX.

Key Points:

  • Launch Vehicle: SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket.
  • Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA.
  • Launch Time: 12:01 a.m. Indian Standard Time.

GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) Satellite:

  • Type: High Throughput Communication Satellite.
  • Operating Band: Ka-band.
  • Weight: 4,700 kg at lift-off.
  • Mission Life: 14 years.
  • Developer: New Space India Ltd., the commercial arm of ISRO.
  • Objective: To enhance broadband services, boost in-flight connectivity, and provide high-speed communication across India using advanced Ka-band technology.
  • Multi-beam Architecture: Equipped with multiple spot beams and Ka x Ka transponders, which enable:
    • Frequency reuse for increased system capacity.
    • Support for a large subscriber base using compact user terminals.
    • Enhanced overall system throughput.

The satellite will significantly improve broadband connectivity, reaching underserved and remote areas.

  • Aims to offer better internet services on aircraft flying over the Indian region.
  • This mission marks India’s first venture with SpaceX, opening possibilities for future international partnerships in space technology and exploration.
  • The satellite was placed in a geosynchronous transfer orbit, a crucial step before moving it to its final geostationary position.
  • GSAT-N2’s advanced Ka-band technology facilitates high-speed data transfer, essential for modern communication needs.

Ka-Band Communication:

  • The Ka-band is a part of the microwave segment of the electromagnetic spectrum, operating at frequencies between 5 GHz and 40 GHz.
  • It is widely used in satellite communication for a variety of applications, including broadband services, military uses, and remote sensing.
  • The Ka-band offers a broader bandwidth compared to lower-frequency bands like C-band and Ku-band. This wider bandwidth enables high data transfer rates, allowing for faster communication, which is ideal for applications requiring large volumes of data, such as video conferencing and satellite internet​
  • Due to the shorter wavelengths in the Ka-band, it supports smaller antennas and ground equipment. This makes it easier to deploy in compact or mobile systems while reducing infrastructure costs​
  • The Ka-band’s high frequency is suitable for modern communication technologies like phased-array antennas and multi-beam satellites, enhancing the capacity and flexibility of satellite networks. It supports various advanced applications, including telecommunication networks, wireless systems, and direct-to-home (DTH) TV services​

About Falcon 9:

  • Falcon 9 is a partially reusable rocket developed and operated by SpaceX, designed to carry both cargo and crew to a variety of orbits, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), as well as interplanetary destinations like Mars.
  • Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket. The first stage is equipped with nine Merlin 1D engines, while the second stage has a single Merlin Vacuum engine optimized for space.
  • It uses a combination of liquid oxygen (LOX) and RP-1 (refined kerosene) as propellants​.
  • The first stage is designed to be reusable, capable of returning to Earth and landing vertically for refurbishment and reuse. This feature significantly reduces launch costs.
  • The Falcon 9 can carry a payload of up to 22,800 kg to LEO and 8,300 kg to GTO. For missions to Mars, its capacity is around 4,020 kg.
  • Its height is 70 meters with a diameter of 3.66 meters and a total mass of about 549,000 kg​.
Science and tech Successful Launch of India’s GSAT-N2 Satellite by SpaceX's Falcon-9

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