Isro enters X-band telemetry & command regime with new 18m antenna

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has commissioned a new 18m antenna, which for the first time, allows the space agency to conduct telemetry and command operations on the much faster X band (frequency). So far, Isro only used X band for payload data downloading and used the S band for telemetry and command.

Compared to S band, which operates with 2GHz to 4GHz, X band functions in 8GHz to 10GHz. Sources at Isro, terming this a major milestone, said this has two advantages: “First, it increases the speed of commands and second, reduces possibility of any interference given that the S band is now also used by telecom companies for 5G.”