The Geosynchronous Satellite GSAT 11 weighting six tonnes is the heaviest satellite developed in India. The satellite based internet services, for the first time, will be piloted by the heavyweight communications satellite GSAT 11. Satellite based internet service will be revolutionary for India’s telecom sector.
The GSAT 11 cost India a total of Rs. 500 crore. The satellite is so huge that each solar panel is over 4 metres long. The satellite is gearing up for its launch in a few weeks time. The satellite is being shipped to Kourou in French Guiana, South America. The GSAT 11 will be strapped to the rocket named French Ariane 5. India hired the French Ariane 5 rocket as it has the capability to carry the heavy satellite into orbit. The French Ariane 5 is a heavy lift launch vehicle with a launch mass of 777,000 Kg.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A. S. Kiran Kumar said, “This is our effort of providing a new capability to the country. Satellite based Internet is only an indicator. We need connectivity from the Digital India perspective, especially to gram panchayat, talukas and the security forces.”
It is said the GSAT 11 is a boon for rural India. The GSAT 11 is on par with all the communication satellites sent into space by India combined. It is said the GSAT 11 is like a constellation of 30 classical orbiting satellites.
The biggest embarrassment to the ISRO is the 41st mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carrying India’s first satellite made by a private sector. The satellite’s protective heat shield not dropping off led to the failure of this launch on the 31st of August last year. It is said ISRO now fixed the problem in the heat shield that failed to open during the launch.
