Ariane 5 launches NSIL’s GSAT 24, leased entirely by Tata Play for 15 years

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launcher today successfully launched NewSpace India Limited’s (NSIL) satellite communication satellite GSAT-24 from Kourou, French Guiana. The VA257 flight in addition to NSIL’s GSAT-24 also carried Malaysia’s MEASAT-3D communication satellite onboard.

GSAT-24 is the 25^th Indian satellite launched by Arianespace for ISRO. The satellite is a Ku-band 4-ton class communications satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) that will provide high-quality television, telecommunications, and broadcasting services across India.

The satellite weighing 4180 kg at liftoff has a mission life of 15 years. NSIL has leased its entire satellite capacity to Tata Play Limited for a period of 15 years. The satellite meant for meeting the Direct-To-Home (DTH) communication needs of the country has been entirely funded by NSIL.

ISRO’s master control facility at Hassan took control of the satellite post-separation of the GSAT-24 satellite. The initial data received indicated the good health of the satellite. The orbit of GSAT-24 will be raised from GTO to Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO), through a series of orbit-raising manoeuvres using the satellite’s onboard propulsion system.

“Today’s successful mission of GSAT-24 is a major step forward for NSIL in commercially meeting the DTH communication needs of the country using indigenously built satellite solutions from ISRO.”

Dr S Somanath, Secretary DOS

The successful launch of GSAT-24 leaves NSIL owning and operating nearly 11 communication satellites in orbit which will meet the bulk of the communication needs of the country. GSAT-24 is the first of many demand-driven missions that NSIL will undertake in the coming years.