# GSAT-20

> Indian geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18480143](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18480143)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSAT-20)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat-20

## Summary
GSAT-20, also known as GSAT-N2, is an Indian geostationary communications satellite designed to enhance national broadband infrastructure and enable in-flight internet services. Launched on November 18, 2024, it is the first Indian satellite to be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite is owned, funded, and operated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** November 18, 2024, at 18:31 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1073.19).
- **Operator/Owner:** NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
- **Manufacturer:** U. R. Rao Satellite Centre.
- **Mass:** 4.7 tonnes.
- **Design Life:** 14 years.
- **Spacecraft Bus:** I-4K.
- **Orbit Type:** Geostationary orbit.
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2024-214A; SCN 62028.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of GSAT-20?
A: GSAT-20 is designed to significantly enhance India's broadband infrastructure. Its primary mission objectives include providing high-speed internet connectivity and enabling in-flight internet services for the aviation sector.

### Q: Why was GSAT-20 launched by SpaceX instead of ISRO?
A: With a mass of 4.7 tonnes, GSAT-20 exceeded the current payload capacity of Indian launch vehicles for geostationary transfer orbits. Consequently, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) contracted SpaceX to launch the satellite using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket.

### Q: What is the relationship between GSAT-20 and GSAT-N2?
A: GSAT-N2 is an alternative designation or alias for the GSAT-20 satellite. Both names refer to the same Indian communications spacecraft launched in November 2024.

## Why It Matters
GSAT-20 represents a critical upgrade to India’s telecommunications capabilities, specifically addressing the growing demand for high-speed data and broadband connectivity. By providing the technical foundation for in-flight internet, it brings Indian aviation services in line with global standards, allowing passengers to remain connected during domestic and international flights.

The satellite is also a key component of the Smart Cities Mission, providing the necessary communication backbone for advanced urban infrastructure. Beyond its technical utility, GSAT-20 is historically significant as the first Indian mission to utilize SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle. This partnership between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and SpaceX marks a shift toward commercial international collaborations to deploy heavy-class Indian satellites that exceed domestic launch capacities.

## Notable For
- **SpaceX Milestone:** The first Indian satellite to be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- **High Capacity:** Built on the I-4K bus with a mass of 4.7 tonnes, making it one of the heavier satellites in the GSAT series.
- **In-Flight Connectivity:** Specifically engineered to provide the infrastructure required for in-flight internet services in India.
- **Commercial Operation:** Fully funded and operated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), reflecting the commercialization of Indian space assets.

## Body

### Technical Specifications
GSAT-20 is a high-throughput communications satellite built by the U. R. Rao Satellite Centre. It utilizes the I-4K spacecraft bus and has a launch mass of 4.7 tonnes. The satellite is powered by two spacecraft solar arrays and is designed for a service life of 14 years. It operates within a geostationary orbit to provide consistent coverage over the Indian subcontinent.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on November 18, 2024, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida, USA. The launch vehicle used was a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5, specifically utilizing the B1073 booster on its 19th flight (B1073.19). This launch integrated GSAT-20 into SpaceX’s global launch record and marked a significant event in Indian-American aerospace cooperation.

### Mission and Governance
GSAT-20 is part of the long-standing GSAT series of Indian communications satellites and is categorized under India's Smart Cities Mission. Unlike many previous ISRO missions, GSAT-20 is owned, funded, and operated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian space program. Its primary mission is to provide advanced telecommunications services, focusing on broadband infrastructure and specialized connectivity solutions like in-flight internet.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/gsat-20.htm)
2. [Source](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-gsat-20-satellite-becomes-part-of-spacexs-global-launch-record/articleshow/115462937.cms)
3. [SpaceX launches India’s GSAT-N2 satellite on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. 2024](https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/11/18/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-indias-gsat-n2-satellite-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-cape-canaveral/)
4. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/GSATN2EnhancingIndiaBroadbandInfrastructure.html)
5. [Source](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isro-preps-us-launch-of-advanced-satellite-gsat-20-for-enabling-in-flight-internet-7026412)
6. Jonathan's Space Report
7. [GSAT-20 (GSAT-N2). Next Spaceflight](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/753)