SpaceX has successfully launched Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida following which the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) took control of the GSAT-20 communication satellite. The Master Control Facility (MCF) in Hassan, Karnataka, took command of the satellite earlier on Wednesday morning, marking it a crucial milestone in the mission.
ISRO officials reported that preliminary data indicates the satellite is in good health, with all systems functioning as expected. ISRO officials reported that preliminary data indicates the satellite is in good health, with all systems functioning as expected. The MCF team is now conducting a series of maneuvers to guide the GSAT-20 from its initial transfer orbit to its final geostationary orbit, which is approximately 36,000 kilometres above the Earth’s equator.
The GSAT-20, also known as GSAT-N2, is India’s most advanced communication satellite to date, weighing 4,700 kg; it carries a high-throughput Ka-band payload capable of delivering 48 Gbps of data transmission capacity. The satellite is set to play a vital role in enhancing broadband services across India, including remote areas, and enabling in-flight internet connectivity.
The launch and successful handover of GSAT-20 marks a significant step in India’s space technology. It further states the country’s rising capabilities in satellite technology and its willingness to collaborate with international partners for complex space missions.
