INSAT Satellite bus

The INSAT Satellite Bus is a series of satellite buses that have been manufactured by the Indian Space Research Organisation and marketed by NewSpace India Limited. It consist of five different versions; I-1K, I-2K, I-3K, I-4K& I-6K.

I-1K

I-1K (also referred to as INSAT-1000) is a satellite bus developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and marketed by Antrix Corporation. The I-1K bus is designed to be compatible with lightweight geostationary satellites and is commonly used for meteorological satellites.The IRS or Indian Remote Sensing Satellite bus are also built on I-1K. ISRO also developed monopropellant thrusters, and later bi-propellant Liquid Apogee Motors for the INSAT communication satellites.

Design

  • The I-1K bus can be used for satellites in the lightweight category, with a launch mass between 1,050 and 1,100 kilograms (2,310 and 2,430 lb).
  • Its dimensions are 1.505 m × 1.476 m × 1.530 m (4.94 ft × 4.84 ft × 5.02 ft).
  • I-1K's dry mass is 500 kg (1,100 lb) and can support payloads of 100 kg (220 lb).
  • Its power systems can supply between 500 and 1000 watts.
  • The average transponder life is 7 years which can be extended up to 12 years.

List of satellites launched using I-1K platform

I-2K

I-2K is a satellite bus developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and marketed by Antrix Corporation. It is a standard bus for 2,000 kg class satellites; the 'I' in I-2K stands for INSAT, a group of communication satellites developed and launched by ISRO. The satellite buses developed by ISRO are specifically developed for small and medium weight satellites. I-2K spacecraft bus can supply DC power up to 3000 watts. I-2K platform is targeted towards satellites in liftoff mass in range of 1500–2500 kg.

Features of I-2K

  • Launch Mass: 2,000–2,300 kg (4,400–5,100 lb).
  • Dimensions: 1.65 * 1.53m in plan & 3.0m in height.
  • Dry Mass: 600–950 kg (1,320–2,090 lb).
  • Payload Mass: 160–200 kg (350–440 lb).
  • Total Power: 2800 W.
  • Payload Power: 2400 W.
  • Transponder: 12 - 18.
  • Mission Life: 12 - 15 Years.

List of satellites launched using I-2K platform

I-3K

I-3K or the INSAT 3000 is a satellite bus developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and marketed by Antrix Corporation and New Space India Ltd. It is the standard bus for 3,000-kg class satellites; the 'I' in I-3K stands for INSAT, a group of communication satellites developed and launched by ISRO. The I-3K bus can supply DC power up to 6500 watts, and is suitable for satellites with lift-off mass in range of 3,000-3,400 kg.

List of satellites launched using I-3K bus

I-4K

I-4K is a satellite bus being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It will be a standard bus for 4,000–6,500 kg (8,800–14,300 lb) class communication satellites. The I in I-4K stands for INSAT, a group of communication satellites developed and launched by ISRO. The I-4K spacecraft bus can supply DC power of 10 to 15 kilowatts.

List of satellites being developed with I-4K bus

I-6K

I-6K is a Satellite bus developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) It will be a standard bus for 4,000–6,500 kg (8,800–14,300 lb) class communication satellites; the I in I-6K stands for INSAT and 6 signifies that it can support satellites up to 6,000 kg in weight. The I-6K spacecraft bus can supply DC power of 10 to 15 kilowatts.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Communication Satellite Platform | NSIL". www.nsilindia.co.in. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  2. ↑ "Spacecraft Systems and Subsystems". Antrix Corporation. 2010. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Development of LOX-Methane engine in ISRO". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2026-10-27.
  4. ↑ "INSAT 1000 spacecraft bus" (PDF). Antrix Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ "ISRO: I-1K (I-1000) Bus". Skyrocket.de. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Mars Orbiter Spacecraft". ISRO. January 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Antrix Corporation Ltd - Satellites > Spacecraft Systems & Sub Systems". Archived from the original on 2014-02-20. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  8. ↑ "SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS AND SUB SYSTEMS". Antrix Corporation. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Future Programmes". ISRO. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  10. ↑ "INSAT 2000 spacecraft bus" (PDF). Antrix Corporation. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  11. ↑ "The Indian GSAT Satellites" (PDF). ISRO. p. 5. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  12. ↑ "ISRO: I-2K (I-2000) Bus". skyrocket.de. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  13. ↑ "ISRO: GSAT-31". ISRO. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Communication Satellite Platform | NSIL". nsilindia.co.in. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
  15. ↑ "Antrix Corporation Ltd - Satellites > Spacecraft Systems & Sub Systems". Archived from the original on 2014-02-20. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  16. ↑ "INSAT 3000 Spacecraft Bus" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  17. ↑ "SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS AND SUB SYSTEMS". Antrix - ISRO. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Constrained cooperation". Frontline. 17 July 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  19. ↑ "ISRO: I-3K (I-3000) Bus". Space Skyrocket. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  20. ↑ "EADS Astrium-ISRO alliance sealed First contract with Eutelsat for W2M satellite". Space Ref. 20 February 2006. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  21. ↑ "India's GSAT-10 Continues Checkout". Space Ref. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  22. ↑ "Chandrayaan-3 Landing Brochure" (PDF). ISRO. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Indian Space Research Organisation - Current Programmes
  24. ↑ GSAT-11 Archived 2014-01-07 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ↑ ISRO: I-3K (I-3000) Bus
  26. ↑ "Outcome Budget 2011-2012" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  27. ↑ "GSAT-11 Mission - ISRO". www.isro.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  28. ↑ "ISRO: I-6K (I-6000) Bus". space.skyrocket.de.