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| GSAT-11 | |
|---|---|
| Name | GSAT-11 |
| Operator | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Mission type | Communications satellite |
| Launch date | 2018-12-04 |
| Launch vehicle | Ariane 5 |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre |
| Manufacturer | U R Rao Satellite Centre |
| Power | 13 kW |
| Transponders | Ka-band |
| Orbit | Geostationary orbit |
GSAT-11 GSAT-11 is an Indian communications satellite developed to provide high-throughput satellite internet and data connectivity across India, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean region. Built by the U R Rao Satellite Centre and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation, the satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre and placed into geostationary orbit to serve government, commercial, and disaster-relief users.
GSAT-11 was conceived to expand India's satellite communications capacity alongside programmes like GSAT-19 and GSAT-29 to boost national broadband and telemedicine services. The project linked institutions such as the Department of Space, the Indian National Satellite System, and international partners including Arianespace and the European Space Agency for launch and ground-support coordination. It aimed to complement terrestrial networks like those deployed by BharatNet, private carriers including Airtel and Reliance Jio, and regional initiatives such as the SAARC connectivity efforts.
The spacecraft bus was developed at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru incorporating high-power payload architecture pioneered in earlier platforms like INSAT and later iterations exemplified by GSAT-19. GSAT-11's design integrated large deployable reflectors, high-efficiency solar arrays, and lithium-ion battery systems similar to those used on platforms from Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. Thermal control, attitude determination and control systems were influenced by heritage from IRS and RISAT series spacecraft. Guidance and propulsion systems included bipropellant thrusters comparable to subsystems used on HGS-1 and models from ISRO suppliers.
The payload consisted of multiple high-throughput Ka-band transponders and multi-beam antennas intended for broadband backhaul, enterprise connectivity, and public safety services. Payload electronics drew on advances linked to missions such as GSAT-29 and commercial HTS satellites operated by Eutelsat, Intelsat, and SES. Coverage beams were shaped to serve metropolitan hubs including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, while also providing maritime connectivity across routes used by the Shipping Corporation of India and naval units like the Indian Navy. Performance metrics targeted gigabit-class throughput similar to systems deployed by Hughes Network Systems and ViaSat.
GSAT-11 was launched on 4 December 2018 aboard an Ariane 5 alongside a co-passenger in a dual-payload configuration flown by Arianespace from the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou. Launch operations involved collaboration between ISRO mission control and international range safety teams from CNES and ESA affiliates. After separation, orbit-raising manoeuvres employed chemical propulsion stages comparable to procedures used on missions like INSAT-4CR and GSAT-6A, culminating in insertion into a geostationary slot managed under coordination with the International Telecommunication Union frequency allocation registry.
Operational control and telemetry, tracking and command functions were handled by ISRO ground stations including facilities at Bengaluru and regional tracking complexes associated with the Indian Deep Space Network. Mission planning integrated contingency protocols from earlier anomalies experienced on satellites such as GSAT-6A and reliability practices from the PSLV and GSLV programmes. GSAT-11 has been employed in trials for e-governance services supporting agencies like National Informatics Centre and disaster response coordinated with agencies such as the National Disaster Management Authority.
Development drew on partnerships across Indian industry suppliers including Antrix Corporation-linked contractors, indigenous electronics firms, and test facilities at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and centres of the Department of Space. Manufacturing workflows followed model-based systems engineering practices used in projects with the Indian Institute of Science and collaborations with academic partners like the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and IIT Bombay. Quality assurance regimes referenced standards familiar to contractors working with Thales Alenia Space and Airbus on commercial GEO platforms.
GSAT-11 expanded national capacity for broadband backhaul, supporting initiatives such as BharatNet and services by telecom operators including Vodafone Idea alongside private satellite integrators. It has potential applications in telemedicine projects run by institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, distance education initiatives supported by Indira Gandhi National Open University, and connectivity for maritime operations involving the Indian Coast Guard. The satellite also contributed to regional connectivity goals aligned with SAARC cooperation and supported emergency communications during events similar to cyclone responses coordinated by the India Meteorological Department.
Category:Indian satellites Category:Communications satellites