Indian National Satelite Systems? Describe its important features.

 The Indian National Satelite Systems (INSAT) is a series of multipurpose Geo-Stationary Satelites launched by ISRO in the 1980s, is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region. India’s communications sector got revolutionized by it and later sustained the same. It was commissioned in 1983, and is fulfilling the needs of India in broadcasting, telecommunications, meteorology and “search and rescue” operations.

INSAT system serves many important sectors of the Indian economy. INSAT is providing Mobile satellite services besides providing VSAT service. TV broadcasting and redistribution are also have been benefited by INSAT. Telemedicine network in taking medical services to the remote and rural population. The launch of EDUSAT, the India’s first thematic satellite dedicated exclusively for educational services. INSAT system is also providing meteorological services through Very High Resolution Radiometer and ECD cameras on some of its aircraft.

This system uniquely provides geo stationary platform for simultaneous domestic communications and Earth observation functions. Overall coordination and management rests with the Inter-ministerial INSAT Coordination Committee (ICC). The satellites are handled from the INSAT Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka.

The satellites of INSAT system, which are giving service today are as follows:

• INSAT-2K– Last of the 5 satelites in INSAT-2 series.
• INSAT-3 series;
• INSAT-3A– Launched by Ariane in April, 2003.
• INSAT-3B– Launched in March, 2000.
• INSAT-3C– Launched in January, 2002.
• INSAT-3E– Launched in September, 2003.
• KALPANA-I– It is an exclusive meteorological satellite launched by PSLV in September 2002.
• GSAT-2– Launched by second flight of GSLV in May, 2003.
• EDUSAT– Launched by GSLV in September, 2004.
• INSAT-4 series:
  • INSAT-4A– Launched in December, 2005 by Ariane.
  • INSAT-4B– Launched in March, 2007 by Ariane.
  • INSAT-4C– It was the second satellite in the INSAT 4 series. India’s most advanced communication satellite.
  • INSAT-4CR– It was launched on September, 2007 by GSLV-FO4. It is a replacement satellite of INSAT-4C which was lost when GSLV-FO2 failed and had to be destroyed on its course.

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