ANS: In a historic collaboration, India is set to launch a cutting-edge communications satellite with the assistance of SpaceX, the space exploration company spearheaded by Elon Musk.
This groundbreaking development was confirmed today in an official statement by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial subsidiary of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
SpaceX’s highly acclaimed Falcon-9 rocket has been chosen as the launch vehicle for this ambitious project, representing the first-ever partnership between SpaceX and India. Elon Musk’s vested interest in expanding his diverse portfolio of enterprises in India has ignited great anticipation for this joint venture, as reported by Reuters.
The primary objective of the satellite, scheduled for launch in the second quarter of this year, is to bolster India’s broadband communication capabilities.
This initiative is especially focused on bridging the connectivity gap in remote and underserved regions across the nation, as emphasized in NSIL’s official statement.
One of the most striking aspects of this mission is the satellite’s considerable weight, clocking in at a whopping 4,700 kg.
This surpasses the existing highest spacecraft launching capacity of 4,000 kg set by ISRO, demonstrating the scale and significance of this collaboration.
Notably, Elon Musk has been actively exploring opportunities to introduce his Starlink satellite broadband service in India, aiming to revolutionize internet accessibility across the country.
Additionally, discussions are currently underway regarding a prospective investment proposal from Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle company, to establish a manufacturing facility in India for the production of electric vehicles.
However, it is worth noting that Musk is encountering resistance from certain sectors within India’s domestic industry, as reported by Reuters.
NSIL has announced that it will assume full ownership, operational responsibility, and funding for the GSAT-20 high-throughput satellite, which is set to deliver a remarkable capacity of 48 gigabits per second.
This collaboration between India and SpaceX is poised to mark a significant milestone in the realm of space technology and communication, offering new horizons for connectivity and innovation in India and beyond.