NEW DELHI: The GSAT-11 spacecraft, a first generation high throughput communication satellite, is to be launched towards the end of 2016 or the first quarter of 2017, Space minister Jitendra Singh told parliament today.

GSAT-11 has a lift-off mass of about 5600 kg, operating in Ka/Ku bands. It is a multi-beam satellite with 32 user beams and 8 hub beams over India. The spacecraft capability includes providing broadband connectivity to rural areas with higher bandwidth as compared to traditional communication satellites. 

It is planned to launch GSAT-11 spacecraft using procured launch services. At present, the indigenous capability to launch this weight class of satellite is not available. The in-orbit testing of GSAT-11 satellite is planned to be conducted from the Master Control Facility (MCF) in Hassan, Karnataka and other suitable locations of ISRO Centres.