Home > Current Affairs > National > India Will Launch GSAT-20 For The First Time From SpaceX's Falcon-9 Rocket

India Will Launch GSAT-20 For The First Time From SpaceX's Falcon-9 Rocket

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 03-01-2024
India Will Launch GSAT-20 For The First Time From SpaceX's Falcon-9 Rocket Science and Technology 3 min read

ISRO's commercial arm, 'New Space India Limited' (NSIL), has announced that India will use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to launch its next-generation heavy communications satellite GSAT-20 (or GSAT-N2).

  • This will be India's first mission launched from SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
  • According to NSIL, this Indian mission can be started in the second quarter of this year, i.e., in 2024.
  • Heavy lift launcher Falcon-9 can perform this flight from Florida.
  • This mission will be accomplished under a launch service contract between NSIL and US-based aerospace company SpaceX.

Why will the Falcon 9 rocket be used?

  • Currently, ISRO's LVM3 rocket can deliver payloads up to 4,000 kg to the geostationary transfer orbit, whereas Falcon-9's capacity can be almost double.
  • The payload or satellite India wants to send into space under this mission weighs around 4,700 kg.

About GSAT-20:

  • GSAT-20 is a communications satellite known as CMS-03 or GSAT-N2.
  • The Indian Space Research Organization Satellite Center and Liquid Propulsion System Centre have jointly developed it. The GSAT-20 satellite is funded, owned and operated by New Space India Limited.

The first test of GSAT-20:

  • When – June 23, 2022
  • Where – Kourou Launch Site, French Guiana
  • By Who - Ariane - 5 (VA 257) Launch Vehicle

About Falcon-9 rocket:

  • Falcon 9 is a reusable two-stage rocket developed by Elon Musk's popular aerospace company SpaceX.
  • According to SpaceX, this is the most powerful rocket in the world.
  • The height of this rocket is 70 meters, its diameter is 12 meters and its mass is 549,054 kg.
  • So far, it has performed 285 launches, 243 landings and 217 re-flights.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL):

  • NSIL is the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
  • Establishment - 2019
  • Headquarters – Bengaluru

FAQ

Ans - SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket

Ans- New Space India Limited

Ans - Ariane-5 (VA 257) launch vehicle

Ans- Aerospace company SpaceX

Ans- Year 2019
Leave a Review

Utkarsh Classes
DOWNLOAD OUR APP

Download India's Best Educational App

With the trust and confidence that our students have placed in us, the Utkarsh Mobile App has become India’s Best Educational App on the Google Play Store. We are striving to maintain the legacy by updating unique features in the app for the facility of our aspirants.