What is the INSAT (Indian National Satellite) system?

The INSAT system is a series of geostationary satellites operated by ISRO for telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations.

When did the INSAT system begin its operations?

The system started in 1983 with the launch of INSAT-1B.

How has the INSAT system benefited India and its neighboring regions?

INSAT has improved communication, weather forecasting, disaster management, agriculture, education, and more.

Which is the national satellite of India?

The national satellite of India is known as "INSAT," which stands for the "Indian National Satellite."

Which is India's first official satellite?

The Aryabhata spacecraft was completely designed and fabricated in India and launched by a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket from Kapustin Yar on April 19, 1975.

INSAT (Indian National Satellite), History, Application, Future Prospect and Benefit

Table of Contents

INSAT (Indian National Satellite) system is a series of geostationary satellites operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These satellites are primarily used for telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. The INSAT system has played a significant role in improving communication and weather forecasting in India and the surrounding regions.

INSAT (Indian National Satellite)

INSAT (Indian National Satellite) is a geostationary satellite program by ISRO, serving telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations since 1983. It is a collaborative effort involving multiple Indian government departments and agencies. INSAT satellites provide communication and meteorological capabilities, including distress alert signal reception for search and rescue missions in the South Asian and Indian Ocean Region. ISRO’s participation in the Cospas-Sarsat program strengthens its commitment to these critical functions.

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Indian National Satellite System (INSAT)

The INSAT system, initiated with the launch of INSAT-1B in August 1983 (following the earlier unsuccessful INSAT-1A launch in April 1982), has been a transformative force in India. It revolutionized television and radio broadcasting, telecommunications, and meteorology. This system facilitated the rapid extension of TV and modern telecom services to remote regions and offshore islands. INSAT offers transponders in C, Extended C, and Ku bands for various communication services. Some INSAT satellites also carry meteorological instruments and data relay capabilities for meteorological services. KALPANA-1, in particular, is a dedicated meteorological satellite. The vital task of monitoring and controlling these satellites falls under the purview of Master Control Facilities located in Hassan and Bhopal.

INSAT (Indian National Satellite) History

Year	Event
1982	INSAT-1A, the first satellite, launched (failed)
1983	INSAT-1B launched, marking the system’s beginning
1988	Launch of INSAT-1C (partial failure in orbit)
1990	INSAT-1D launched, further expanding the system
1992	Introduction of INSAT-2A, enhancing capabilities
1993	INSAT-2B launched, continuing system development
1995	INSAT-2C added to the fleet
1997	Launch of INSAT-2D (failed in orbit)
1999	INSAT-2E introduced, strengthening the system
2002	KALPANA-1, a dedicated meteorological satellite, launched
2003	INSAT-3A added to the constellation
2007	Introduction of INSAT-4B, enhancing broadcasting services
2010	Launch of GSAT-4 and GSAT-5P (both unsuccessful)
2011	GSAT-8 and GSAT-12 launched, expanding capacity
2012-2019	Introduction of GSAT series satellites, increasing capabilities
2018-2020	Launch of GSAT-29, GSAT-11, GSAT-7A, and more, enhancing communication services
2020-2022	CMS-01 and CMS-02 satellites launched, serving communication and meteorological purposes

List of INSAT (Indian National Satellite)

Serial No.	Satellite	Date of Launch	Launch Vehicle	Status
1	INSAT-1A	10 April 1982	Delta	Failed in orbit
2	INSAT-1B	30 August 1983	Shuttle PAM-D	Mission Completed
3	INSAT-1C	22 July 1988	Ariane-3	Partial failure in orbit
4	INSAT-1D	12 June 1990	Delta	Mission Completed
5	INSAT-2A	10 July 1992	Ariane-4	Mission Completed
6	INSAT-2B	23 July 1993	Ariane-4	Mission Completed
7	INSAT-2C	7 December 1995	Ariane-4	Mission Completed
8	INSAT-2D	4 June 1997	Ariane-4	Failed in Orbit
9	INSAT-2E	3 April 1999	Ariane-4	Mission Completed
10	INSAT-3B	22 March 2020	Ariane-5	Mission Completed
11	GSAT-1	18 April 2001	GSLV	Mission Completed
12	INSAT-3C	24 January 2002	Ariane-5	Mission Completed
13	KALPANA-1	12 September 2002	PSLV	Mission Completed
14	INSAT-3A	10 April 2003	Ariane-5	Mission Completed
15	GSAT-2	8 May 2003	GSLV
16	INSAT-3E	28 September 2003	Ariane-5
17	EDUSAT	20 September 2004	GSLV	Mission Completed
18	HAMSAT	5 May 2005	PSLV
19	INSAT-4A	22 December 2005	Ariane-5
20	INSAT-4C	10 July 2006	GSLV	Launch unsuccessful
21	INSAT-4B	12 March 2007	Ariane-5	Mission Completed
22	INSAT-4CR	2 September 2007	GSLV
23	GSAT-4	15 April 2010	GSLV	Launch unsuccessful
24	GSAT-5P	25 December 2010	GSLV-F06	Launch unsuccessful
25	GSAT-8	21 May 2011	Ariane-5
26	GSAT-12	15 July 2011	PSLV-C17
27	GSAT-10	29 September 2012	Ariane-5
28	GSAT-7	30 August 2013	Ariane-5
29	GSAT-14	5 January 2014	GSLV-D5
30	GSAT-16	7 December 2014	Ariane-5
31	GSAT-6	27 August 2015	GSLV-D6
32	GSAT-15	11 November 2015	Ariane-5
33	GSAT-18	6 October 2016	Ariane-5
34	GSAT-9	5 May 2017	GSLV-F09
35	GSAT-19	5 June 2017	GSLV MkIII – D1
36	GSAT-17	29 June 2017	Ariane-5
37	GSAT-6A	29 March 2018	GSLV-F08	Failed in Orbit
38	GSAT-29	14 November 2018	GSLV MkIII-D2
39	GSAT-11	5 December 2018	Ariane-5
40	GSAT-7A	19 December 2018	GSLV-F11
41	GSAT-31	6 February 2019	Ariane-5 VA-247
42	GSAT-30	17 January 2020	Ariane-5 VA-251
43	CMS-01	17 December 2020	PSLV-C50
44	CMS-02	23 June 2022	Ariane-5 VA-257

Applications of INSAT (Indian National Satellite)

The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system serves a wide range of applications, and here are some examples of how these applications are put to use:

Telecommunications

Telephone and Internet Services: INSAT facilitates long-distance and rural telecommunications. For example, it supports the expansion of telephone and internet services to remote villages in India, connecting people who were previously isolated.

Television Broadcasting

Direct-to-Home (DTH) Services: INSAT enables DTH broadcasting services like Tata Sky and Dish TV, which deliver a wide array of television channels directly to viewers’ homes.

Meteorology and Weather Forecasting

Cyclone Tracking: INSAT satellites track the movement of cyclones. For instance, they provide critical information to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue warnings and plan evacuation measures, as demonstrated during Cyclone Amphan in 2020.

Search and Rescue Operations

Distress Signal Reception: INSAT satellites help locate distressed vessels and individuals. For example, when a boat or aircraft sends a distress signal, INSAT assists in pinpointing their location, aiding in timely rescue operations.

Earth Observation

Agricultural Monitoring: INSAT data is used to monitor crops and assess their health. It assists farmers in optimizing irrigation, fertilizer use, and crop planning.

Urban Planning: INSAT images are valuable for city planning, infrastructure development, and monitoring urban growth.

Disaster Management

Flood Monitoring: INSAT helps monitor rainfall patterns and river water levels, aiding in flood prediction and response. For instance, it was instrumental during the 2019 Kerala floods.

Drought Assessment: INSAT data is used to assess drought conditions, allowing for targeted relief efforts during water shortages.

Navigation

Augmentation of Navigation Systems: While not a primary navigation system, INSAT can provide augmentation to satellite-based navigation systems. It offers location and timing information to enhance navigation accuracy in applications such as civil aviation and maritime navigation.

Education and Research

E-Learning: INSAT is used for educational purposes, including e-learning programs. It helps deliver educational content to remote areas with limited access to traditional schools.

Scientific Research: Researchers use INSAT data for various scientific studies, such as monitoring environmental changes and conducting atmospheric research.

Data Relay

Remote Sensing Data Transmission: INSAT is used to relay data from remote environmental monitoring stations. For instance, it aids in the transmission of data from weather stations in remote mountainous regions.

Rural Development

E-Governance: INSAT supports e-governance initiatives in rural areas by enabling connectivity for government services, such as digital land records and birth certificates.

Future Developments For INSAT System

The introduction of the new L1 band is set to facilitate the widespread adoption of NavIC technology in wearable smart devices and IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
In 2023, the NVS-01 satellite is scheduled for launch aboard a GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle). NVS-01 will serve as a replacement for the IRNSS-1G satellite.
The Aditya-L1 Mission represents a significant milestone in solar research, as it will provide an unprecedented level of detail in the study of the Sun.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is actively engaged in the development of a third iteration of the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle). This development signifies the continuous improvement and evolution of India’s launch vehicle capabilities.

Benefits of INSAT (Indian National Satellite)

The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system has brought about a multitude of benefits for India and its neighboring countries, playing a pivotal role in various aspects of life and infrastructure development.

Telecommunications and Broadcasting: INSAT has significantly improved telecommunications by providing voice, data, and video communication services, expanding connectivity even to remote regions. It has revolutionized television broadcasting, making a wide range of channels accessible through direct-to-home (DTH) services.
Meteorology and Disaster Management: INSAT satellites provide real-time weather data, aiding in weather forecasting, cyclone tracking, and early warning systems. This has proven invaluable in disaster management, mitigating the impact of natural calamities.
Search and Rescue Operations: The system’s distress signal reception capability helps locate and assist distressed individuals and vessels in the South Asian and Indian Ocean regions.
Agriculture and Food Security: INSAT data supports crop monitoring, facilitating optimal agricultural practices, improved yields, and food security.
Rural Development and Education: INSAT bridges the digital divide by providing connectivity to remote areas, promoting e-governance, and facilitating e-learning initiatives.
National Security: It plays a role in secure government and defense communication.
Space Technology Advancement: The development of the INSAT system has bolstered India’s capabilities in space technology.
International Cooperation: INSAT supports international disaster warning and relief efforts in the Indian Ocean region.

Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) UPSC

The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system, initiated in 1983 by ISRO, has transformed India’s telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and disaster response. It provides vital services such as long-distance communications, television broadcasting, cyclone tracking, and distress signal reception. INSAT aids in agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, navigation augmentation, and remote data relay. Its impact extends to education, scientific research, rural development, and national security. Future developments include NavIC technology integration, the launch of NVS-01 in 2023, the Aditya-L1 solar research mission, and the evolution of the GSLV. INSAT’s contributions have significantly improved the quality of life and infrastructure in India and neighboring regions.