NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) launch GSAT-24 in its first “demand-driven” communication satellite mission post space sector reforms, leasing the entire capacity on board to Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider Tata Play.
Built by the Indian Space Research Organisation for NSIL, the satellite was successfully place into geostationary orbit by the Ariane 5 rocket, operate by French company Arianespace, from Kourou in French Guiana (South America).
GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite weighing 4,180kg with pan-India coverage for meeting DTH application needs.
NSIL, incorporate in March 2019, is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), under the Department of Space (DOS) and is the commercial arm of ISRO.
As part of “space reforms” announce by the Government in June 2020, NSIL was mandate to undertake operational satellite missions on a “demand-driven” model, wherein it has the responsibility to build, launch, own & operate satellites, and provide services to its committed customer.
The entire satellite capacity onboard GSAT-24 will be lease to its committ customer Tata Play, the DTH business of Tata Group, for meeting their DTH application needs.
The Ariane 5 has successfully place two satellites into geostationary orbit: MEASAT-3d for the Malaysian operator MEASAT, and GSAT-24, Arianespace said after launching them on-board Ariane-V VA257 flight from the Guiana Space Centre, Europe’s spaceport in Kourou.
GSAT-24 is configure on ISRO’s proven I-3k Bus with a mission life of 15 years.
NSIL official explain :
“‘Demand-driven’ mode basically means when satellite is launch, 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”.
NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan Durairaj told PTI, Said :
“Earlier, the mode was more supply-driven, with capacity being lease after the launch with largely no firm commitment by customers beforehand”.
“The entire mission is fully fund by NSIL satellite, launch, launch campaign, insurance, transportation, in-orbit maintenance, and support. When the satellite is up in orbit, this will be fully own and operate by NSIL,”.
“So, we will be the satellite operator for this particular satellite,”.
