ISRO launches India’s heaviest satellite GSAT-11, expected to boost Internet speed

India's most powerful communication satellite GSAT-11 has been successfully launched into orbit a few minutes past 2 am IST on Wednesday. The launch took place from the Spaceport in French Guiana, news agency ANI reported.  ISRO’s GSAT-11 will help boost broadband services in the country. "The heaviest, largest and most powerful satellite ever built by India is successfully launched by Ariane-5 today," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan said soon after the launch.

Indian Space Research Organisation: GSAT-11, ISRO's heaviest and most-advanced high throughput communication satellite, was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana during the early hours today. pic.twitter.com/VJRC56KCWY

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2018

Update #2#ISROMissions#GSAT11#Ariane5

Good Morning India! The heaviest, largest and most-advanced high throughput communication satellite of India, GSAT-11 was launched successfully from Kourou Launch Zone today onboard Ariane 5 VA246 launch vehicle. @PMOIndia@Arianespace pic.twitter.com/mxEdhar78w

— ISRO (@isro) December 5, 2018

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"The satellite has 38 spot beams as well as eight sub-beams, which would cover the entire country, including the remote places ... it is going to provide something like 16 GBPS data link services to the country," he said.

“GSAT-11 is the third in a series of four satellites aimed at achieving the government's ambitious target to provide high data connectivity of 100 GBPS in the country under the Digital India Mission,” Sivan added.

“Launch of four high-throughput satellites will provide the country broadband connectivity of over 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) by next year.” Of the four, two satellites Gsat-19 and Gsat-11 have already been launched. Gsat-11 will be launched on Wednesday and Gsat-20 launch has been scheduled next year. He said, “Together, all these satellites will provide high-speed internet connectivity in the country, especially in rural areas, and help bridge the digital divide,” the Times of India quoted K Sivan as saying.

What is GSAT-11 satellite

It is the heaviest satellite built by ISRO and weighs about 5,854 kg.  

The satellite is based on the new I-6K Bus and carries 40 transponders in the Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies (32 Ka × Ku-Band Forward Link Transponders and 8 Ku × Ka band Return Link Transponders).

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The GSAT-11 is the fore-runner in a series of advanced communications satellites with multi-spot beam antenna coverage over Indian mainland and islands, according to ISRO.

ISRO’s GSAT-11 designed lifetime is for more than 15 years.