The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region with nine operational communication satellites placed in Geo-stationary orbit. It was established in 1983 with commissioning of the first satellite in the series, INSAT-1B.
Impact of Indian National Satellite Programme on India
The communication satellite series of India has grown into a very large constellation of satellites in the INSAT and GSAT series.
The INSAT satellite system is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems providing regular services in the areas of television, telecommunications, radio networking, business and personal communication and weather forecasting and meteorological services.
Newer initiatives have been taken to expand the INSAT applications to newer areas like:
- Tele-education
- EDUSAT: used extensively to cater to a wide range of interactive educational delivery modes like one-way TV broadcast, video conferencing, web-based instructions, etc.
- Tele-medicine
- ISRO Telemedicine pilot project was started in the year 2001 as part of proof-of-concept demonstration programme.
- Village Resource Centre (VRC)
- VRCs have provided various space technology enabled services such as tele-healthcare, tele-education, natural resources information, etc.
- Major benefits include advisories related to agriculture like crop pests and diseases, crop insurance etc.; career guidance to rural students, skill development and vocational training etc., to the rural population.
- Disaster Management Support (DMS)
- ISRO disseminates relevant information in interactive geo-spatial domains through various geoportals like Bhuvan, National Database for Emergency Management and MOSDAC (Meteorological and Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre).
- Satellite news gathering
- Satellite Aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R)
- Internet services and e-governance
- Financial service network, such as the banking, the stock exchanges etc.
- Standard Time and Frequency Signal (STFS) Dissemination Services
The INSAT system has also extended the outreach to less accessible areas like North East, other far-flung areas, and islands.
List of Important Communication Satellites
| Satellite | Launch Date | Launch Vehicle | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMS-01 | Dec 17, 2020 | PSLV-C50/CMS-01 | Communication |
| GSAT-30 | Jan 17, 2020 | Ariane-5 VA-251 | Communication |
| GSAT-31 | Feb 06, 2019 | Ariane-5 VA-247 | Communication |
| GSAT-11 Mission | Dec 05, 2018 | Ariane-5 VA-246 | Communication |
| GSAT-17 | Jun 29, 2017 | Ariane-5 VA-238 | Communication |
| GSAT-15 | Nov 11, 2015 | Ariane-5 VA-227 | Communication, Navigation |
| GSAT-8 | May 21, 2011 | Ariane-5 VA-202 | Communication, Navigation |
| EDUSAT | Sep 20, 2004 | GSLV-F01 / EDUSAT(GSAT-3) | Communication |
| INSAT-3A | Apr 10, 2003 | Ariane5-V160 | Climate & Environment, Communication |
| KALPANA-1 | Sep 12, 2002 | PSLV-C4/KALPANA-1 | Climate & Environment, Communication |