Bengaluru: NewSpace India Limited (NISL) on Thursday launched its first "demand-driven" communication satellite GSAT-24, where the entire capacity on board is rented to Tata Play, the Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider. The 24-Ku band communication satellite weighing 4180 kg with pan India coverage is used for meeting DTH application purposes.
The satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organization was placed in the geostationary orbit by the Airane 5 rocket of French company Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana, South America.
GSAT-24 is configured on ISRO's proven I-3k Bus with a mission life of 15 years.NewSpace India Limited (NISL) launches GSAT-24 in lease to Tata Play
NSIL, the Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), under the Department of Space (DOS) and the commercial arm of ISRO, was incorporated in March 2019, March.
NSIL is mandated to undertake operational satellite missions on a "demand-driven" model according to the space reforms policy announced by the Government in June 2020. In this model, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to build, launch, operate, and provide services to its customer.
In the earlier "supply-driven" model the capacity was leased only after launching the satellite. There will be no firm commitment from the customers beforehand, officials reported.
"The entire mission is fully funded by NSIL -- satellite, launch, launch campaign, insurance, transportation, in-orbit maintenance, and support. Once the satellite is up in orbit, this will be fully owned and operated by NSIL," NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan Durairaj told PTI.