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India's GSAT-N2 'Ka-Band' Satellite Successfully Launched from Florida

India's latest communication satellite, GSAT-N2, was successfully launched by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) on June 27, 2026. The launch took place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. GSAT-N2, previously known as GSAT-20, is a high-throughput Ka-band satellite weighing 4700 kg. It is specifically designed to meet the growing broadband communication needs across the Indian mainland and the islands of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar, supporting the Digital India mission. Key points:

Key points

GSAT-N2 is a High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) operating entirely in the high-frequency Ka-band, enabling faster broadband speeds.
Weighing 4700 kg, it was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 as it exceeds the 4000 kg GTO payload capacity of ISRO's LVM3 rocket.
The satellite is fully funded, owned, and operated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm.
It will be placed in a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to provide comprehensive coverage over the Indian mainland and islands.
The satellite's 32 beams will offer pan-India coverage, significantly boosting connectivity for remote and underserved regions. Why it matters: Crucial for S&T questions on satellite types (HTS), orbits (GEO), frequency bands (Ka-band), and the evolving role of NSIL in India's space sector.

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Posted 27 June 2026. More daily posts →