In news– NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has launched GSAT-24 in its first “demand-driven” communication satellite mission, leasing the entire capacity on board to Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider Tata Play.
What are GSAT-24 satellites?
- GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite weighing 4180 kg with pan-India coverage for meeting DTH application needs.
- Built by Indian Space Research Organisation for NSIL, the satellite was successfully placed into geostationary orbit by the Ariane 5 rocket, operated by French company Arianespace, from Kourou in French Guiana (South America).
- The entire mission is fully funded by NSIL.
- The Ariane 5 has successfully placed two satellites into geostationary orbit: MEASAT-3d for the Malaysian operator MEASAT, and GSAT-24.
- GSAT-24 is configured on ISRO’s proven I-3k Bus with a mission life of 15 years.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)-
- NSIL, incorporated in March 2019, is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), under Department of Space (DOS) and is the commercial arm of ISRO.
- NSIL is responsible for enabling industries in India to upgrade high-tech manufacturing bases for the Indian Space Programme.
- It is also responsible for promotion and commercial exploitation of the products and services emanating from the Indian space programme.
- NSIL will carry out the following roles and functions as part of its mandate viz.
- Small Satellite technology transfer to industry, wherein NSIL will obtain license from DOS/ISRO and sub-license it to Industries.
- Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in collaboration with the Private Sector.
- Productionisation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through Indian Industry.
- Productionisation and marketing of Space based products and services, including launch and application.
- Transfer of technology developed by ISRO Centres and constituent units of DOS.
- Marketing spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad etc.
- As part of “space reforms” announced by the Government in June 2020, NSIL was mandated to undertake operational satellite missions on a “demand driven” mode, wherein it has the responsibility to build, launch, own & operate satellites and provide services to its committed customer.
- Demand-driven mode basically means when a satellite is launched, one will know who the end customers are going to be and what’s the kind of utilisation and commitment so that you have very effective utilisation of this satellite capacity once it goes into orbit.
- Earlier, the mode was more supply driven, with capacity being leased after the launch with largely no firm commitment by customers beforehand.
Source: The Hindu
