The Indian space agency will rely on SpaceX to launch its next generation heavy communications satellite named GSAT-20. This is the first time the Department of Space and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will use the Falcon-9 heavy lift launcher which may liftoff from Florida on a dedicated Indian mission.

The deal also exposes the weak underbelly of ISRO which still lacks a rocket which has the capacity to lift big communication satellites. ISRO Chairman S Somanath ISRO says India had to go to SpaceX since ‘no other rocket was available in time.’

The commercial arm or ISRO, New Space India Limited has signed a contract with SpaceX for a possible liftoff in the second quarter of this year. The SpaceX deal also signifies a significant shift since till now India relied heavily on the France led Arianespace consortium to launch the heavy satellites. India’s own rockets lack the capacity for launching very heavy satellites to the geostationary orbit beyond 4 ton class.

According to NSIL, GSAT-20 offers Ka-Ka band high through put (HTS) capacity with 32 beams having Pan-India coverage including Andaman & Nicobar, Jammu & Kashmir and Lakshadweep islands. NSIL is realizing GSAT-20 satellite through ISRO.  The satellite weighs 4700 kg, offers HTS capacity of nearly 48Gpbs. The satellite has been specifically designed to meet the demanding service needs of remote/ unconnected regions. Dr Radhakrishnan Durairaj, CMD, NSIL says this is the second demand driven communication satellite mission being undertaken by NSIL after the GSAT-24 mission whose full capacity was leased out to Tata Play. Durairaj says this new satellite deal only confirms that the reform process undertaken by the government is yielding results. NSIL has not revealed who has bought the capacity of the satellite.

While France and Arianespace was indeed a trusted all weather partner all along and India launched 23 of its heavy duty communications satellites on this rocket owned by the European Space Agency. Durairaj says but for a 21 st century new age public sector undertaking looking at bottom lines `if commercials and readiness make sense we go for it’. It must also be acknowledged that Arianespace retired its most trusted rocket Ariane-5 and the replacement Ariane-6 has been much delayed.   

The GSAT 20 satellite will now be renamed GSAT-N2 and it will essentially provide broadband internet access to remote areas. This will obviously be in competition with OneWeb and Starlink who may get licenses soon since the new Telecom law paves way for them to launch their services. Other players actively wooing the space based internet service provider market is Reliance Jiospace.  

India’s heaviest rocket dubbed the Bahuballi or the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 can lift only 4000 kilogram satellites to the geo-stationary orbit. Mr. S Somanath has been stressing the need to urgently build a heavier rocket called the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) which can lift up to 10,000 kilograms to the same orbit, it is already being designed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center and will take few more years to become a reality. Somanath says `India’s launch capability has to be enhanced to meet future needs, while being cost competitive’.

In his response to the Enforcement Directorate after he skipped its summons in connection with the liquor policy case for the third time, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has said he is busy with the Republic Day preparations and Rajya Sabha elections, and would be “happy to answer” any questionnaire sent by the agency. 

In a letter posted by the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday, Mr Kejriwal reiterated his objections that the summons is “motivated and issued for vexatious considerations” and said it is not clear whether he is being summoned as a witness or a suspect in the case. 

“The summons appear to be in the nature of fishing and roving enquiry as it does not specify whether I am being summoned as an individual or in my official capacity as Chief Minister of Delhi or as National Convenor of AAP,” he added.

The AAP has also raised similar objections to the summons while justifying why the chief minister did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate and claimed that the only aim was to arrest him. The BJP has, however, said Mr Kejriwal is “shaking in fear” and is not appearing before the agency because he knows that he is the “kingpin” of the alleged liquor policy scam.

‘Held Up’

Stating that the elections for three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi will take place on January 19, Mr Kejriwal said, “Being National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, I am held up in the process and run up to these critical elections.”

He also pointed out that, as the chief minister of Delhi, he was “also quite occupied in planning and preparations for several programmes and functions for the Republic Day”.

“In such circumstances, I hope that you shall act as per law by transparently and fairly considering my objections as raised and indicated in my earlier responses dated 02.11.2023 and 20.12.2023. In the meanwhile, I would be happy to respond to any questionnaire if you seek any information/documents, which are in my knowledge/possession,” the chief minister said.

Objections

The AAP chief had not appeared before the Enforcement Directorate when he was summoned on November 2 and December 21 as well, and two other senior leaders of the party are in judicial custody in connection with the case. Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in February last year, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was taken into custody in October.

Ever since the first summons was issued, there has been intense speculation that the Delhi chief minister would be arrested by the agency after his questioning. 

Mr Kejriwal claimed he knows of several cases where the agency had given a detailed explanation or response to queries by people issued summons under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, but it had not even acknowledged the receipt of the submissions made by him.

“As a premier investigating agency of the country, the ‘non-disclosure” and ‘non-response’ approach adopted by you cannot sustain the test of law, equity or justice. Your obstinacy tantamounts to assuming the role of judge, jury and executioner at the same time which is not acceptable in our country governed by the rule of law,” he said. 

“Vested Interests”

“In these circumstances, I therefore, once again, urge you to kindly respond to my earlier responses and clarify the position so as to enable me to understand the real intent, ambit, nature, sweep and scope of the purported inquiry/investigation for which I am being called,” the AAP chief added.

He also alleged that while he was willing to cooperate and assist with any investigation, the Enforcement Directorate’s silence confirmed his apprehensions about “certain vested interests and extraneous as well as malafide considerations prevailing over any objective, rational, fair or impartial inquiry or investigations”.

The Aam Aadmi Party has also questioned the timing of the summons and said that it had been sent with the intention of arresting him. 

“Why has the notice been sent right before elections? The notice is an attempt to stop Kejriwal from campaigning in the (Lok Sabha) elections,” the party said.

‘Lame Excuses’

Hitting out at Mr Kejriwal, the BJP called him the kingpin of the alleged scam. “Outright dishonest and sinister Arvind Kejriwal is shaking in fear and making one after another lame excuse to skip ED summons,” news agency PTI quoted BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia as saying. 

“It won’t be wrong to say that (Arvind) Kejriwal is afraid today because he knows that his arrest is imminent, he is aware that he is the kingpin and has no answers. That’s why he is trying to evade the process of law,” he added.

Shah Rukh Khan and Jackie Shroff indeed share a special bond, evident in their camaraderie showcased at the Filmfare Awards. In a throwback moment, Shah Rukh Khan called Jackie Shroff onstage to receive his award and the two shared a warm hug. The two joked with each other much to the delight of the audience. Meanwhile, Jackie Shroff, known for his graciousness, took the opportunity to extend his heartfelt gratitude to everyone in the industry.

Check it out here: 

The 69th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2024 with Gujarat Tourism, is all set to recognise the Hindi film industry’s finest talents. For years, the prestigious event has hailed remarkable onscreen acts, impactful narratives, and technical brilliance. Scheduled for January 28, 2024, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the star-studded affair promises a night of glamour and excellence. You have the exclusive chance to be part of this grand celebration that honours the best performances and cinematic achievements. 

Voting lines are open between January 1 to January 7, 2024. Cast your vote HERE.

Stay tuned for more details as the date draws closer.