Elon Musk's SpaceX launched GSAT-20

Tags: Science and Technology

Elon Musk's SpaceX launched GSAT-20 

Why in news?

• Elon Musk's SpaceX launchedGSAT-20 ,ISRO's latest communications satellite from Cape Canaveral in Florida on November 19,2024.

 About  GSAT-20 :

• GSAT-N2 or GSAT-20 is a4,700 kg satellitethat exceeds the weight capacity of India's indigenous rockets.
• The satellite has amission-life of 14 years, providing essential internet and communication services across India and even in remote regions.
• It is operating in the Ka-band with a capacity of 48Gbps.
• It will enhance broadband as well as in-flight connectivity throughout the Indian region.
• According to ISRO, the satellite is equipped with 32 user beams of which 8 narrow spot beams cover the Northeast region and 24 wide spot beams for the rest of India.
• The launch had utilisedSpace X's Falcon 9 rocket. This is a unique collaboration as this indicates the first major commercial partnership between SpaceX and ISRO. 
• The estimated cost for this collaboration is between $60-70 million.

Why SpaceX?

• The primary reason for ISRO choosing SpaceX to deliver the satellite is the weight of it.
•  The GSAT-20 being 4,700 kgs could not be delivered through India's indigenous rockets. ISRO's heaviest launch vehicle, the LVM-3, is capable of launching only 4000 kg.

What is Falcon 9?

•  Falcon 9 is the world's first orbital class reusable rocket.
•  Reusability allows SpaceX to refly the most expensive parts of the rocket, which in turn drives down the cost of space access.