ISRO to Launch Heaviest Satellite Ever

The Indian Space Research Organisation is all set to launch the GSAT-11 multi-beam communication satellite from Guiana

ISRO will launch the GSAT-11 communications satellite on December 5 from French Guiana. Adding to ISRO’s recent launching spree, the new GSAT-11 satellite launch will come only weeks after the recent major launch of the PSLV-C43 HysIS. The GSAT-11 is ISRO’s heaviest satellite ever built and weighs about 5854 kilograms. Unlike recent launches, ISRO’s new GSAT-11 will be launched onboard Ariane-5 launch vehicle from French Guiana. ISRO has revealed that the satellite will be initially placed in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and will be later raised to Geostationary Orbit. It will be using the Liquid Apogee Motor which will be onboard the satellite.




The GSAT-11 satellite is one of the most important missions for India as it will be majorly focused on expanding connectivity availability over regions using spot beams. According to ISRO’s official website, “GSAT-11 will be located at 74 degrees east and is the fore-runner in a series of advanced communications satellite with multi-spot beam antenna coverage over Indian mainland and Islands.” ISRO’s new GSAT-11 satellite will be crucial for providing broadband services across the country. ISRO lists few applications for GSAT-11 that include to meet unprecedented data demands, greater capacity and high data rates over regions using spot beams.

ISRO’s website also mentions that the new GSAT-11 will support BharatNet connectivity. This would help provide internet connectivity to Gram Panchayats. The satellite will also have VSAT Terminals which basically will ensure that it can handle large capacity platform to support a huge subscriber base. ISRO also confirmed that the GSAT-11 mission will be also used to reach out to more people through the government’s ‘Digital India’ platform.