A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the NSIL GSAT-N2 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:31 p.m. on 18 November 2024. Following stage separation, the Falcon 9's first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

This is the 19th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SES-22, ispace’s HAKUTO-R MISSION 1, Amazonas-6, CRS-27, Bandwagon-1, and 13 Starlink missions.

.... NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) successfully undertook the launch of GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) communication satellite on-board Falcon 9 launcher from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. GSAT-N2 is the 2nd Demand Driven mission of NSIL.

GSAT-N2 weighing 4700 kg is a Ka-Ka band HTS satellite with a capacity of 48 Gbps. The satellite has 32 Spot beams providing PAN India coverage including coverage over A&N and Lakshadweep islands. NSIL has got the satellite built through ISRO.

After nearly 34 minutes of flight, GSAT-N2 got successfully injected into its intended super Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with Perigee of 250 km, Apogee of 59,730 km and 27.5 degree inclination.

Post-separation of GSAT-N2, ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan, India took control and initial data received indicates good health of the satellite. In the coming days,the orbit of GSAT-N2 would be raised from GTO to Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO), through a series of orbit raising manoeuvres using satellite’s on-board chemical propulsion system. The satellite would be finally positioned at 68 deg. E longitude for commencing its operational services.

“The successful launch of GSAT-N2 by NSIL marks the beginning of the commercially competitive satellite capacity solutions being available to Indian VSAT operators for meeting the country’s Broadband and IFMC service needs,” Radhakrishnan D, Chairman and Managing Director of NSIL said.