Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its communication satellite using the Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX, the rocket making company owned by billionaire Elon Musk in the USA. This is ISRO’s first commerical launch using SpaceX.
The satellite is called GSAT-N2and or GSAT-20, which will provide in-flight internet services in India, as per a News18 report.
As of now, access to in-flight internet is prohibited in India, requiring airlines that provide this service to disable it while flying over Indian airspace.
However, government on November 4 amended the rules and said that in-flight passengers will be able to use internet services through WiFi only when electronic devices are permitted to be used in the aircraft even after it attains altitude of 3,000 metres in Indian airspace.
“Notwithstanding the minimum height in Indian airspace referred to in sub-rule (1), internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft shall be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used in the aircraft,” as per the new rule notified on Monday.
India’s own launch vehicle Mark-3 can lift a maximum of almost 4,000 kg into a geostationary transfer orbit, however, GSAT-N2 weighs 4,700 kg, hence ISRO would be using SpaceX’s launch vehicle.
The GSAT-N2 satellite has mission lifespan of 14 years. It is a key component of India’s advanced communication infrastructure. It features 32 user beams, including 8 narrow spot beams and 24 wide spot beams covering the rest of India. These beams are supported by hub stations located within mainland India, the report added.
