Indian space research organization launched their satellite GSAT-11 also known as “BIG BIRD” successfully into space today at 2.07 am from KOUROU launch base in South America.
GSAT-11 is the predecessor in the series of advanced communication satellites. It will be a great help in providing satellite based internet to the places where cable based internet cannot reach. It has cost around Rs 600 crore and expected to have a lifespan of 15 years.
“It will be India’s next generation high throughput communication satellite and also provide a platform to demonstrate new generation applications. And also it will boost the broadband connectivity to rural and inaccessible Gram Panchayats in the country coming under the Bharat Net Project, which is part of Digital India Programme”, Dr. K Sivan ISRO chief said. The Bharat Net Project has the vision to enhance the public welfare schemes like E-banking, E-health, E-governance among others.
It is launch into a Geosynchronous transfer Orbit and subsequently ISRO’s master control facility at Hassan. The satellite internet provided by GSAT-11 will help in internet connectivity in flights in India. It is the heaviest satellite having the largest solar panels and payload panels build by ISRO with multi-spot beam antenna coverage over Indian mainland and Islands. It is configured on ISRO’s newly developed 1-6K bus. Use of KA band is introduced in India for the first time.GSAT-11 has a capacity to handle up to 20 Kilowatts of power. The 90% of hardware in the satellite has been realized in India only.
There will be four ground gateways which are located in different states of the country help in connect satellite to the users via an optical fiber network. It will provide a throughput of 16Gbps.
Further, two solar rays and four antenna reflectors will be sent into the orbit.
GSAT-11 reduces the digital divide between Urban and Rural India.