The GSAT-20 satellite has a mass of 4,700 kg, surpassing the maximum launch capacity of 4,000 kg of India’s current space launch vehicles.
India is set to embark on a significant collaboration with SpaceX, the aerospace company led by billionaire Elon Musk, by launching a communications satellite using SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket. This venture marks India’s first partnership with Elon Musk’s enterprise, which aligns with Musk’s broader interest in expanding his various business ventures in India.
The satellite in question, named GSAT-20, is a high-capacity communication satellite designed to enhance broadband communication across India, particularly in remote and underserved regions. The launch, managed by New Space India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is slated for the second quarter of this year.
This collaboration is noteworthy as the GSAT-20 satellite has a mass of 4,700 kg, surpassing the maximum launch capacity of 4,000 kg of India’s current space launch vehicles. Using SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket for this launch signifies a crucial step for India in handling heavier payloads and expanding its space capabilities.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and electric vehicle giant Tesla (TSLA.O), has shown a keen interest in introducing his Starlink satellite broadband services to the Indian market. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions about Tesla potentially setting up a manufacturing facility in India to produce electric vehicles. However, Musk’s ambitions in India have been met with some resistance from segments of the country’s domestic industry, reflecting the complex dynamics of foreign investment and competition in the Indian market.
NSIL has confirmed that it will have full ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the GSAT-20 satellite. The satellite boasts a high throughput with a capacity of 48 gigabits per second, aiming to significantly boost India’s communication infrastructure. The successful launch and operation of GSAT-20 could mark a pivotal moment in India’s space endeavours and its emerging collaboration with private space enterprises like SpaceX.
Satellite ya GSAT-20 ina uzito wa kilo 4,700, ikizidi uwezo wa uzinduzi wa kilo 4,000 wa vifaa vya sasa vya uzinduzi wa anga vya India. India imepanga kuanza ushirikiano mkubwa na SpaceX, kampuni ya anga inayoongozwa na bilionea Elon Musk, kwa kuzindua satelaiti ya mawasiliano kwa kutumia roketi ya SpaceX ya Falcon 9. Ushirikiano huu unaashiria ushirikiano wa kwanza wa India na kampuni ya Elon Musk, ambayo inalingana na maslahi ya Musk ya kupanua biashara zake mbalimbali nchini India. Satellite hiyo, inayoitwa GSAT-20, ni satellite ya mawasiliano yenye uwezo mkubwa iliyoundwa ili kuboresha mawasiliano ya broadband nchini India, hasa katika maeneo ya mbali na yasiyo na huduma. Uzinduzi huo, unaosimamiwa na New Space India Ltd (NSIL), tawi la kibiashara la Shirika la Utafiti wa Anga la India (ISRO), umepangwa kufanyika robo ya pili ya mwaka huu. Kwa mujibu wa taarifa ya shirika la habari la India, satellite ya GSAT-20 ina uzito wa kilo 4,700, na inazidi uwezo wa uzinduzi wa kilo 4,000 wa chombo cha India cha sasa cha uzinduzi wa anga. Kutumia roketi ya SpaceX Falcon 9 kwa uzinduzi huu inamaanisha hatua muhimu kwa India katika kushughulikia mizigo nzito na kupanua uwezo wake wa anga. Elon Musk, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa SpaceX na Tesla, ameonyesha nia ya kuanzisha huduma zake za Starlink satellite broadband kwenye soko la India. Kwa kuongezea, kuna majadiliano yanayoendelea juu ya Tesla uwezekano wa kuanzisha kituo cha utengenezaji nchini India kutengeneza magari ya umeme. Hata hivyo, matarajio ya Musk nchini India yamekutana na upinzani kutoka kwa sehemu za tasnia ya ndani ya nchi hiyo, ikionyesha mienendo tata ya uwekezaji wa kigeni na ushindani katika soko la India. NISIL imethibitisha kuwa itakuwa na umiliki kamili, udhibiti wa uendeshaji, na jukumu la kifedha kwa setilaiti ya GSAT-20. Satelaiti hiyo ina uwezo wa kuwasiliana kwa kasi ya gigabits 48 kwa sekunde, na ina lengo la kuongeza miundombinu ya mawasiliano ya India. Utangazaji wa mafanikio wa GSAT-20 unaweza kuashiria wakati muhimu katika juhudi za anga za India na ushirikiano wake unaojitokeza na makampuni ya nafasi ya kibinafsi kama SpaceX.