EDUSAT Full Form

The Indian Space Research Organization has never failed to amuse us with its advancements and achievements in space. ISRO develops satellites that are application-specific and acts as tools to the nation, which are broadcasts, weather forecasts, communications, cartography, navigation, telemedicine, distance education satellites. One such satellite is EDUSAT, focused on distant learning systems. This is the first-ever educational satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organization. This article covers everything about EDUSAT, its primary aim, and its satellite attributes.  

EDUSAT

EDUSAT, originally called GSAT – 3, was a communication satellite launched into space by the Indian Space Research Organization on 20 September 2004. The primary purpose of this satellite was for distant classroom education for students studying in schools, from primary to high school. This was the first satellite to be launched by India focusing on educational background. It was a highly appreciated move by the Indian government, it shows India’s commitment to using space technologies for development. EDUSAT has different features compared to INSAT, it has a multimedia system, audio-visual medium, and digital classrooms.

EDUSAT Program

The EDUSAT Programme has three phases. They are Pilot, semi operational, and operational. The pilot project was carried out in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra with more than 300 terminals during 2004. The experiences gained in the pilot project were adopted in the semi-operational phase. In the operational phase most of the districts around India were covered under the EDUSAT program. These networks were further developed and expanded during the operational phase, which was funded by their respective state government.

EDUSAT network

EDUSAT network has two types of terminals namely, Satellite Interactive Terminal (SIT) and Receive Only Terminal (ROT). BY December 2012, a total of 83 networks have been established, connecting about 56,164 schools and colleges, which is 4,943 SITs and 51,221 ROTs. It covered 26 states and 3 union territories. Nearly 15 million students are getting benefited from the EDUSAT program every year.

The established tele-education set up ISRO has set up networks for users with special requirements:

1. C – DAC for Mentally challenged in Kerala.
2. Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
3. Blind People’s Association (BPA) of Gujarat – For visually challenged
4. Central Institute of Mentally Retarded (CMIR) in Kerala.

The EDUSAT satellite was under service till September 2010, during its period it supported telemedicine, tele education, and village resource centers (VRC) projects conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). After the disposal of EDUSAT, the networks are transferred to INSAT – 4CR, and networks in Ext. C – Band were migrated to GSAT – 12, INSAT – 3A, and INSAT – 3C.

The Technical Support and Training Centre (TSTC) is founded in Guwahati, to provide technical support to the remote sites, hubs, and teaching end of various regions from the North East Region.  Efforts have been taken to set up TSTCs at Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Everything about EDUSAT (GSAT – 3)

EDUSAT is developed on the I-2K Bus. It has many spot beam antennas and a 1.2-meter deflector to direct the Ku band beams towards the required region in India.  Looking at its payload, it had 6 upper transponders (C – Band), 1 lower Ku band beam transponder, 5 lower Ku band transponders that cover regions, twelve C band high power transponders with large coverage, and a Ku beacon.

Conclusion

EDUSAT was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation to enable distance learning. This initiative was appreciated because it shows that the Indian government is ready to use every resource available for development. This satellite has formed a network almost in every district. It is considered as the first step towards tele-education. It actually helped around 57,000 schools and colleges, where nearly 15 million students are benefited every year.