Why did ISRO seek help from Elon Musk's SpaceX?!
Why did isro seek help from Elon Musk's SpaceX?!
The indian space research organisation (ISRO) has launched the GSAT-20 (GSAT-20/ GSAT-N2) communication satellite developed by india in collaboration with the world's richest man Elon Musk's SpaceX. This is a major milestone in the indian space sector. The satellite was launched on wednesday from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, aboard SpaceX's famous Falcon 9 rocket. This is the first time that isro and SpaceX are working together on a space project. Although the US-India relationship in space exploration and travel has a long history, till now this relationship was limited to isro and NASA. For the first time, ISRO's subsidiary NewSpace india Limited has collaborated with private space exploration company SpaceX.
The indian space research organisation (ISRO) has launched the GSAT-20 (GSAT-20/ GSAT-N2) communication satellite developed by india in collaboration with the world's richest man Elon Musk's SpaceX. This is a major milestone in the indian space sector. The satellite was launched on wednesday from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, aboard SpaceX's famous Falcon 9 rocket. This is the first time that isro and SpaceX are working together on a space project. Although the US-India relationship in space exploration and travel has a long history, till now this relationship was limited to isro and NASA. For the first time, ISRO's subsidiary NewSpace india Limited has collaborated with private space exploration company SpaceX.
Why SpaceX?: Normally, isro launches satellites up to 4 tons into space using its own rockets, and uses Europe's Arianespace's Ariane rockets to launch satellites weighing more than 4 tons. However since Arianespace currently does not have a launch vehicle suitable for the GSAT-N2 satellite, it was forced to look for an alternative company. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket was the most suitable option for this. Known for developing reusable rockets in the world, SpaceX's Falcon 9 is capable of carrying a payload of up to 8.3 tons and putting a satellite into orbit.
This made it suitable for the 4,700 kg GSAT-N2 satellite. Similarly, since isro also got the slot to launch Falcon 9, it launched it today without waiting for Arianespace.
New alliance in space exploration: This alliance between isro and SpaceX marks a significant step forward in India's space program. By partnering with a private space company like SpaceX, isro will be able to reduce its costs and speed up its work.