GSAT-11, India’s heaviest satellite and Bharat Net Project
What is the news?
- India’s first six tonne class ‘big bird’ in space, advanced communication satellite GSAT11, was put into orbit from the European spaceport in Guiana in South America.
- It was launched on board 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.
- GSAT-11 is part of ISRO’s new family of high-throughput communication satellite (HTS) fleet that will drive the country’s Internet broadband from space to untouched areas.
Mission of GSAT-11
Its mission is to enable high¬speed satellite¬based Internet services to users in rural and remote areas and to businesses down home over the next 15 years.- The satellite and the launch fee have cost ISRO ₹1,200 crore
Multi – Spot Approach
- GSAT-11 uses a multi-spot approach to maximize its coverage area in the Indian mainland and islands.
- It was a far superior communication technology than existing INSATs and GSATs.
Dr. Sivan, the Chairman of ISRO said, “It will meet most of the requirements of providing broadband connectivity to rural and inaccessible village panchayats under Bharat Net, which is part of the Digital India initiative.”
What is Bharat Net Project?
- Bharat aims to deploy high-speed optical fibre cables across rural areas, thus providing internet access to 100,000 gram penchants.
- Bharat Net project forms the backbone of the government’s ambitious Digital India programme.
- It proposes broadband connectivity to households under village panchayats and even to government institutions at district level.
- This project is funded through the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).