India’s Communication Satellites and Key Missions
India’s communication satellite system forms a crucial part of its space architecture, supporting telecom services, television broadcasting, broadband connectivity, weather services, and disaster warning. Alongside these, a growing set of strategic and Earth-observation missions strengthens national security and scientific capability.
The country’s satellite programme is built around INSAT/GSAT communication assets, commercial demand-driven missions, and specialized satellites for maritime, broadband, and remote sensing needs.
The INSAT and GSAT Communication Network
The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is among the largest domestic communication satellite networks in the Asia-Pacific region. It has been developed to meet requirements in telecommunications, broadcasting, and societal applications.
- INSAT network: Operates nine communication satellites in geostationary orbit.
- Transponder capacity: Provides more than 200 transponders across C, Extended C, and Ku-bands.
- Primary use: Supports telecommunications, television broadcasting, and public service applications.
- Commercial model: NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Department of Space, follows a demand-driven mission model in which full satellite capacity is leased before launch.
Key Commercial and Strategic Communication Satellites
India has deployed high-throughput and strategic communication satellites to serve broadband, in-flight connectivity, and maritime requirements. These missions have used both domestic and international launch vehicles depending on orbital and payload needs.
| Satellite | Launch Date & Vehicle | Key Specifications & Payload | Primary User & Purpose |
| GSAT-24 | June 2022Ariane 5 | Ku-band communication satellite | Fully leased to Tata Play; NSIL’s first demand-driven mission |
| GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) | November 19, 2024SpaceX Falcon 9 | 4,700 kg weight; Ka-band; 48 Gbps capacity; 32 spot beams; 14-year lifetime | Leased to Dish TV; NSIL’s second demand-driven mission for broadband and in-flight connectivity |
| CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) | November 2, 2025LVM3-M5 | Advanced multi-band communication payload | Dedicated maritime communication for the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region |
Earth Observation and Joint Science Missions
In addition to communication satellites, India deploys Earth-observation spacecraft for monitoring the environment, ecosystems, weather-related changes, and scientific research. These satellites operate in polar and geosynchronous orbits depending on mission requirements.
- NISAR: The joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Earth-observation satellite was launched on July 30, 2025, via GSLV-F16.
- Science phase: NISAR transitioned into its science operations phase in early 2026 to monitor changes in Earth’s ecosystems and ice mass.
- EOS-05 mission: The GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission on September 4, 2026, placed the EOS-05 Earth-imaging satellite into geosynchronous orbit.
- First of its kind: EOS-05 is India’s first geosynchronous imaging satellite, designed for near real-time monitoring of the Indian subcontinent.
- Recent launch failures: ISRO recorded two unsuccessful launches in recent years: PSLV-C61/EOS-09 on May 18, 2025, and PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 on January 12, 2026.
Space Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework
India’s institutional space framework has expanded to support commercialization and private-sector participation. Launch infrastructure is also being upgraded to handle rising domestic and international satellite demand.
- Leadership: Dr. V. Narayanan has served as Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space since January 2025, succeeding S. Somanath.
- IN-SPACe: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre regulates and promotes private-sector participation in India’s space sector.
- Space economy: India’s space economy was valued at approximately USD 9 billion as of August 2026, with around 440 registered space startups.
- Second launch site: The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle Launch Complex is under development at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
- Operational target: The Kulasekarapattinam SSLV facility is targeted for operational readiness by March 2027.
- Gaganyaan: ISRO is preparing for the first uncrewed human spaceflight mission, planned for late 2026.
Key Prelims Takeaways
- INSAT system: One of the largest domestic communication satellite networks in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Transponders: The INSAT network offers more than 200 transponders across C, Extended C, and Ku-bands.
- Demand-driven model: NSIL leases the full satellite capacity before launch in commercial missions.
- GSAT-24: Launched in June 2022 on Ariane 5 and fully leased to Tata Play.
- GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20): Launched on November 19, 2024, aboard SpaceX Falcon 9; NSIL’s second demand-driven mission.
- CMS-03 (GSAT-7R): Launched on November 2, 2025, via LVM3-M5 for the Indian Navy’s maritime communication needs.
- EOS-05: India’s first geosynchronous imaging satellite, launched on September 4, 2026.
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