ISRO Launches GSAT-25: India's Most Advanced Communication Satellite Covers Entire South Asia

GSAT-25, India's most powerful communication satellite, was successfully launched from Sriharikota using the GSLV-Mk3 rocket. The satellite will provide high-speed broadband to remote areas and strengthen India's defence communication network.

Representative image. Photo: Nationalism News

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSAT-25 communication satellite early Monday morning from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The GSLV-Mk3 rocket, carrying the 4.7-tonne satellite, lifted off at 6:15 AM and placed it precisely in the geostationary transfer orbit 18 minutes later.

GSAT-25 is the heaviest and most powerful communication satellite India has ever built. It carries 40 transponders in the Ku-band, 8 in the Ka-band and 6 in the Q/V band, offering combined bandwidth of over 100 Gbps. This is nearly three times the capacity of any previous Indian communication satellite.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath said GSAT-25 would "transform connectivity in India's northeast, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and remote Himalayan villages." He added that the satellite would also provide direct-to-home TV services, broadband internet, and dedicated channels for the Indian Armed Forces.

The satellite is positioned at 55° East longitude and covers the entire South Asian region including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and the Indian Ocean territories. It has a design life of 15 years and is equipped with advanced electric propulsion for station-keeping.

The launch is significant as India prepares to roll out its BharatNet Phase 3 programme, which aims to connect all 6.5 lakh gram panchayats with high-speed internet by 2027. GSAT-25 will serve as the backbone for satellite backhaul in areas where optical fibre is unviable.