Following space sector reforms, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) launched GSAT-24, leasing the full satellite’s capacity to Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider Tata Play. This was the company’s first “demand-driven” communication satellite mission.
The satellite, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for NSIL, was safely launched into geostationary orbit on June 23 from Kourou in French Guiana (South America) by the Ariane 5 rocket, which is owned by the French corporation Arianespace.
What GSAT24 and NSIL is ?
GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite weighing 4180 kg with pan-India coverage for meeting DTH application needs. 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 was required to carry out operational satellite missions on a “demand driven” model as part of the “space reforms” announced by the government in June 2020. Under this model, NSIL is responsible for building, launching, owning, and operating satellites as well as providing services to its devoted customer.
“‘Demand-driven’ mode basically means when 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”, an NSIL official explained.
The entire satellite capacity on-board GSAT-24 will be leased to its committed customer Tata Play, the DTH business of Tata Group, for meeting their DTH application needs.
Ariane 5 successfully placed two satellites into geostationary orbit
Two satellites, MEASAT-3d for the Malaysian operator MEASAT and GSAT-24, were successfully launched into geostationary orbit by the Ariane 5 after being carried aboard an Ariane-V VA257 flight from the Guiana Space Centre, Europe’s spaceport in Kourou. The 15-year mission life of GSAT-24 is configured on ISRO’s tried-and-true I-3k Bus.
“NSIL is responsible for fully funding the entire mission, including the satellite, launch, launch campaign, insurance, transportation, and in-orbit upkeep and support. NSIL will fully own and operate the satellite once it is in orbit “Radhakrishnan Durairaj, the chairman and managing director of NSIL, said.
