ISRO to replace ageing communication satellites over the next few years

ISRO’s chairman, K Sivan has said that India plans to replace more than 10 communication satellites over the next few years as they near the end of their life in orbit. The plan includes launching high throughput satellites that can beam high-speed internet at more than 300 gigabytes per second into remote corners, the space agency chairman said.

GSAT-30 was the first such satellite that will replace the 15-year-old INSAT 4-A satellite and was launched on January 17. The satellite carried 12 C band transponders for communication and 12 Ku band transponders designed for direct-to-home transmission.

“One of the (important) plans is that wherever we have our ageing satellites, we will have to replace them,” Sivan said. “We need to have advanced technology (enabled) satellites in the areas of communication, navigation and earth observation.”

ISRO’s communication satellites that hover in the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) 36,000 kilometres above the earth are designed for a lifespan of 12-15 years.

With the ageing of the existing fleet of satellites, ISRO has begun replacing them with more powerful ones to aid in communication, internet and television broadcast. There are 17 operational satellites including GSAT-30.

Analysts suggest satellites that have completed nearly 15 years need replacement as technology changes.