Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched GSAT-11 satellite into the French space port of Kourou in South America. The satellite, also known as “Big Bird,” weighs around 5,854 kg, making it the heaviest Indian-made satellite from ISRO.
GSAT-11 carries 40 transponders in Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies and is capable of proving high-speed Internet with up to 14 gigabits per second (GBPS) data transfer speed. The high-throughput satellite costs around Rs. 600 Cr and is designed to survive in space for more than 15 years.
Update #4#ISROMissions
Here's the video of #Ariane5 VA-246 lift off from Kourou Launch Base early today morning carrying India's #GSAT11 and South Korea’s GEO-KOMPSAT-2A satellites, as scheduled.
Video: @Arianespace pic.twitter.com/h0gjApbHHd
— ISRO (@isro) December 5, 2018
GSAT 11 is the fourth such high throughput satellite from India after GSAT-19, GSAT-29, GSAT-11, and GSAT-20. According to Isro Chairman Sivan, all satellites are focused on providing fast Internet access through multi-spot beam coverage and bringing internet connectivity to rural areas of the country.
The satellite was originally scheduled to launch on May 25 but was recalled from French Guiana because of certain anomalies suspected in the satellite. GSAT-6A satellite signal was also lost during the same time, therefore ISRO took extra precautions for this launch.
The South Korean Geo satellite Geo-Kompsat-2A and Arianespace’s Ariane-5 rockets were also transported to space with GSAT-11. Narendra Modi, the honorable Prime Minister of India, congratulated ISRO in a tweet –
A major milestone for our space programme, which will transform the lives of crores of Indians by connecting remote areas!
Congrats to @isro for the successful launch of GSAT-11, which is the heaviest, largest and most-advanced high throughput communication satellite of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2018
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