NEW DELHI - India's Union Cabinet gave its approval to build the GSAT-17 and GSAT-18 communications satellites. The plan to build the satellites was put forward by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to provide telecommunication, television, and in-orbit backup services.
Both satellites will have a launch mass of about 3,425 kg. They will be similar in structure to the GSAT-10 communications satellite that launched in September 2012 and is based on ISRO's I-3K satellite bus. Both satellites are reported to be carried into orbit on foreign-built launch vehicles. The Ariane 5 is a likely choice, since it has already carried a number of Indian communications satellites into orbit. They will provide coverage over the entire Indian subcontinent.
GSAT-17, which will cost Rs 1013.2 crore ($158.8 million) including launch costs, will provide replacement capacity for satellites leaving service. It will also augment capacity available to support telecommunications, television broadcasting, and VSAT services. GSAT-17 is expected to launch in 2016.
GSAT-18 will provide replacement capacity for television, telecommunications, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), and VSAT services. The spacecraft will cost Rs 1022 crore ($160.2 million) including launch services, and is expected to launch in late 2015.
ISRO continues to build and launch new communications satellites to maintain coverage over the Indian subcontinent. Demand for satellite capacity, especially for TV broadcasting, continues to rise, putting pressure on ISRO to continue to expand satellite capacity.
