♦ India’s GSAT-N2 communication satellite was successfully deployed into orbit by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on 19 November 2024.

♦ The satellite launched from Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. GSAT-N2 was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), is a Ka-band high-throughput communication satellite designed to address India’s expanding broadband and in-flight connectivity needs.

♦ The satellite, weighing 4,700 kg, will provide high-throughput communication services with a throughput capacity of 48 Gbps, covering all of India, including remote areas like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. 

♦ GSAT-N2 is equipped with 32 user beams, including narrow spot beams for the Northeast region and wide spot beams for the rest of India, ensuring robust coverage even in the most remote areas.

♦ This launch is part of the Indian government’s 2020 space sector reforms, which mandate NSIL to develop satellites based on service demand. With a mission life of 14 years, GSAT-N2 is poised to significantly enhance the country’s digital infrastructure and connectivity.