| Falcon 9 It is a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond. Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket. Reusability allows SpaceX to refly the most expensive parts of the rocket, which in turn drives down the cost of space access. It can lift a payload of 22.8 tonnes in Lower Earth Orbit to 4 tonnes towards Mars. |
- India successfully launched the GSAT-N2 communication satellite on SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- This marks India’s first collaboration with SpaceX and enhances the country’s satellite communication capabilities.
- GSAT-N2 was placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit after lift-off.
- Satellite Features:
- Ka-band (27-40 GHz) high-throughput communication satellite.
- Developed by NewSpace India Ltd., ISRO’s commercial arm.
- Mission Life of 14 years.
- Mass of 4,700 kg.
- Purpose and Functionality:
- Enhances broadband services and in-flight connectivity across India.
- Features multiple spot beams and wideband Ka x Ka transponders for high system throughput.
- It utilises a multi-beam architecture, allowing frequency reuse to support a large subscriber base with small user terminals.
- This satellite represents a significant step in improving connectivity and digital infrastructure within India.
| Aspect | Geosynchronous Orbit | Geostationary Orbit |
| Definition | geosynchronous Orbit where a satellite completes one revolution around Earth in 24 hours. | The specific type of geosynchronous orbit is where the satellite remains fixed over the equator. |
| Position | Can be inclined relative to the equator. | Lies directly above the equator (0° inclination). |
| Movement | Appears to oscillate north and south in the sky due to inclination. | Appears stationary to an observer on Earth. |
| Orbital Shape | Can be circular or elliptical. | Always circular. |
| Applications | Used for weather monitoring and Earth observation. | Ideal for communication, broadcasting, and meteorology. |
| Examples | INSAT series satellites. | GSAT series satellites in India. |
Dig Deeper: Read about India’s progress in the field of Reusable Satellites.
