The GSAT-24 satellite, built by ISRO for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), was successfully launched by French company Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana (South America) on Thursday. GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite weighing 4180 kg with pan-India coverage for meeting DTH application needs. GSAT-24 was launched on-board Ariane-V VA257 flight from the Guiana Space Centre, Europe’s spaceport in Kourou.

 

GSAT-24 is a communications satellite built for New Space India Limited (NSIL) by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). This is the first demand-driven satellite configured by Isro, owned, operated, and funded by NSIL for commercial users.

 

The satellite will provide high-quality television, telecommunications, and broadcasting services and will meet the DTH needs of Indian customers.

 

The Ariane-5 lifted off from the Guiana Space Center at 06:50 pm local time to successfully complete its first mission of the year, and the 113th overall. Arianespace said that the launch will improve broadband coverage in the Asia-Pacific region. Following the launch Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace said, With the orbiting of both MEASAT-3d, the fourth satellite that we’ve launched for the benefit of Malaysia, and GSAT-24, the 25th Indian satellite we’ve delivered for them, we are affirming our long-term partnership with these two great actors.”

 

THE NSIL had said that the GSAT-24, once operational, will enhance television viewing by providing more DTH channels within the same spectrum, and more HD channels for system robustness with additional rain fade margin.

 

The satellite-based interactive education services for classroom connectivity will also be improved and the satellite will have applications in telecommunications and emerging sectors like digital cinema, high-speed backhaul links, and bulk data transfer.

 

While NSIL launched GSAT from Europe, it is also prepping to launch three passenger satellites for Singapore from Sriharikota. The three satellites will be launched on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), an Isro workhorse. The PSLV-C53 mission will lift off from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota on June 30.

 

This will be the second dedicated commercial mission of NSIL.