Communication Satellites

GSAT-15 is approved by the Government on July 17, 2013. It will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and a GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) payload. GSAT-15 spacecraft will provide replacement for the Ku-band capacity of INSAT-3A and INSAT-4B spacecrafts to augment and support the existing DTH and VSAT services in the country. The GAGAN payload of GSAT-I5 will meet the in-orbit redundancy requirement for Safety of Life (SOL) operations benefiting the civil aviation services in the country. GSAT-16 is approved by the Government on July 17, 2013. It will carry 48 transponders in C-band, Ku-band and Upper Extended C-bands. GSAT-16 spacecraft will provide replacement for the INSAT-3E spacecraft and will also augment the C and Upper Extended C-band capacity. The spacecraft will be utilized in augmenting and supporting the existing telecommunication, television, VSAT and other satellite based services in the country. The Government has approved a budgetary support of ` 859.50 Crores including a foreign exchange component of ` 622.50 Crores for realization of GSAT-15 spacecraft project including launch services and insurance. The Government has approved a budgetary support of ` 865.50 Crores including a foreign exchange component of ` 628 Crores for realization of GSAT-16 spacecraft project including launch services and insurance. GSAT-15 is targeted to be launched in mid -2015 and GSAT-16 is scheduled to be launched in 2014-15.