The country's latest communication satellite, GSAT-N2 was successfully launched by billionaire Elon Musk-founded SpaceX from Cape Canaveral in the US, ISRO's commercial arm NSIL has said.The communication satellite will enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity across the Indian region, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) said.As the satellite was heavier than ISRO's current launch capabilities, it had to opt for a foreign launch vehicle, top space scientists and former chiefs of the country's space agency said.Speaking to PTI, former ISRO chairperson K Sivan said, "the satellite was a heavier one beyond the capability of ISRO launch vehicles, that's why it has gone outside." ISRO, which has of late been launching foreign satellites from its spaceport in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, had to opt for SpaceX to launch its latest 4.7 tonne satellite since it lacked the facilities for the heavier payload. According to Sivan, ISRO has a capacity of four tonne whereas the GSAT-N2 weighs 4.7 tonne. "There are plans to increase the capabilities of ISRO and the activities are going on," the former ISRO chief said. He explained that the GSAT-N2 will provide high-band communication services to India, making it reach even the remotest parts of the country. Former ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair told PTI that India opted for a bigger launch vehicle to carry 4.7 tonne satellite because it did not have such a facility here. "ISRO has plans to double its next generation vehicles capacity, but we can't wait until then, so they opted for SpaceX," he said.
The country's latest communication satellite, GSAT-N2 was successfully launched by billionaire Elon Musk-founded SpaceX from Cape Canaveral in the US, ISRO's commercial arm NSIL has said.The communication satellite will enhance broadband services and in-flight connectivity across the Indian region, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) said.As the satellite was heavier than ISRO's current launch capabilities, it had to opt for a foreign launch vehicle, top space scientists and former chiefs of the country's space agency said.Speaking to PTI, former ISRO chairperson K Sivan said, "the satellite was a heavier one beyond the capability of ISRO launch vehicles, that's why it has gone outside." ISRO, which has of late been launching foreign satellites from its spaceport in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, had to opt for SpaceX to launch its latest 4.7 tonne satellite since it lacked the facilities for the heavier payload. According to Sivan, ISRO has a capacity of four tonne whereas the GSAT-N2 weighs 4.7 tonne. "There are plans to increase the capabilities of ISRO and the activities are going on," the former ISRO chief said. He explained that the GSAT-N2 will provide high-band communication services to India, making it reach even the remotest parts of the country. Former ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair told PTI that India opted for a bigger launch vehicle to carry 4.7 tonne satellite because it did not have such a facility here. "ISRO has plans to double its next generation vehicles capacity, but we can't wait until then, so they opted for SpaceX," he said.
