EDUCATION AND SATELLITE COMMUNICATION (EDUSAT) IN INDIA

Edited by : BISWAJIT PATRA

Asst. Professor, Gangadharpur Sikshan Mandir
Introduction
The level and quality of education is one of the most significant parameters for development of any
Nation. The purpose of education is not only to train people for specific employment role but rather
to train them to cope their lives in the discipline, intelligence and will. Recognizing such an
enormous potential of education, focus is on to provide Quality Education for all. In India, the total
literacy has gone up over the years but the quality needs tremendous improvement. The synergy
between education and learning has to be well perceived and operationalised. Education is essentially
an aid to generate worthwhile learning, while learning itself is ultimately an individualized and
lifelong process. The essential role of education as an instrument of social change by altering the
human perspective and transforming the traditional mindset of society is well recognized. The
universalisation of education has become the top priority, especially for the developing countries.
But the extension of quality education to remote and rural regions becomes a Herculean task for a
large country like India with multi-lingual and multi-cultural population separated by vast
geographical distances and in many instances, inaccessible terrain. Since independence, India has
seen substantial increase in the number of educational institutions at primary, secondary and higher
levels as well as the student enrolment. But the lack of adequate rural educational infrastructure and
non-availability of good teachers in sufficient numbers adversely affect the efforts made in
education.
Satellites can establish the connectivity between urban educational institutions with adequate
infrastructure imparting quality education and the large number of rural and semi-urban educational
institutions that lack the necessary infrastructure. Thus, in spite of limited trained and skilled
teachers, the aspirations of the growing student population at all levels can be met through the
concept of tele-education.
The Story of EDUSAT : Its Background
The use of satellites for Education has a long and rich history in India started in early 1970s when
the country had neither satellite building nor satellite launching capability. It was the unique feature
of satellites to quickly and simultaneously reach all remote parts of the country that attracted the
founder of the Space Program, Dr Vikram Sarabhai to develop plans for use of satellites to support
education and information dissemination for National Development.
Satellite communications technology offers unique capability of being able to simultaneously reach
out to very large numbers spread over large distances even in the most remote corners of the country.
The Indian Space Program has always aimed to be second to none in the applications of space
technology to deal with the problems of development in our society. ISRO has continuously pursued
the utilization of space technology for education and development.
Over a period of last 30 years, ISRO has initiated several projects/programs to cater to the countrys
need for education, training, and general awareness among the rural poor. These efforts are discussed
below.
1

Satellite Instruction Television Experiment (SITE)

The SITE project carried out in 1975-76 provided instructions in the fields of family planning,
agriculture, national integration, school education and teacher training. The ground hardware
consisted of Direct Reception Systems (DRS), for community viewing of the TV program. They
were installed in six States of the country in clusters of about 400 each for a total of over 2400
DRSs. The instructional program (some prepared by ISRO) were broadcast for 4 hours every day
covering science education program production, various school program and teachers training
program (by the ministry of Education). The program re-trained over 50000 teachers was in two 2week sessions.
Kheda Communication Project (KCP) from 1975 to 1989
SITE demonstrated that the centralization, inherent in the technology of direct broadcasting, was a
limitation, hence the idea of limited rebroadcast was conceived, giving birth to the KCP. This
involved setting up of a low power TV transmitter in Pij village, Kheda district, Gujarat and linking
it to a studio and earth station complex, so that it could relay local program (originated from the
studio) or the central satellite program received at the earth station. This network used for local
village problem solving received the IPDC-UNESCO prize for Rural Communication in 1985.
INSAT system
The Indian national satellite (INSAT) System has been the major catalyst in the rapid expansion of
terrestrial television coverage in India. INSAT is being used to provide Education TV (ETV)
Services for primary school children in six states. University Grants Commission (UGC) is using this
for its countrywide classroom program on higher education (college sector). INSAT is being used by
the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for distance education program and
Doordarshan for Science Channel program.
Training and Development Communication Channel (TDCC)
ISRO experimented with TDCC, which supports one-way video-two way teleconferencing
interactive networks for education and training to introduce interactivity in teaching instructions
Today TDCC is used exclusively for distance education and Interactive Training Program (ITPs) by
states like Karnataka, Orissa, and M.P etc. and by Open universities, national
organizations/institutions, IGNOU, Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC) and Centre
for Management Education (CME) of all India Management Association and national banks for
providing training and education.
Jhabua Development Communication Project (JDCP)
Jhabua Development Communication Project (JDCP) was carried out in India in the Jhabua District
of M.P aimed at providing communication support to the development activities in the district and
also in providing interactive training to the field officials and the people in general.
Gramsat Program (GP)
In Gramsat Program (GP) TDCC networks were upgraded and all activities related to satellite based
development communication, education, training, healthcares were grouped into a GP thereby
connecting each village, providing computer connectivity, data broad-casting, and TV broadcasting
facilities for applications like e-Governance, NRIS, tele- conferencing, and rural education/education
broadcasting etc. Disaster management, telemedicine, and recently Village Resource Centre were
2

added to the Gramsat net works. Gramsat networks are operational in Gujarat, Karnataka, M.P.
Orissa and Rajasthan (pilot), Andaman Nicobar, Goa, H.P., Orissa, Chhattisgarh.
All above networks were Broadcast networks. This mode of information dissemination had its
limitations like high wastage, no interaction, and non-availability of suitable time etc. To overcome
these limitations, it was proposed to try out channels independent of the broadcast networks. The cost
of satellite based interactive terminals was prohibitive (during late 80s) but the expansion of
Telephone networks came as a boon and the One way video and Two way audio Teleconferencing
networks were tried out for education and training.
From 1992 to 1995, several trials and demonstrations of the network were held. The efficacy of such
networks to train large number of field workers in Agriculture, forestry, Health, Education etc. was
demonstrated and several states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Orissa and MP established such networks
for use on an operational basis. IGNOU, Open school land NCERT too organized trials and IGNOU
established an operational network which evolved into Gyan Darshan II interactive channel. It was
with this background that when ISRO successfully operationalised the PSLV, at that time EDUSAT
was conceptualized to meet the communications requirements of the Education sector. EduSat is a
futuristic educational development experiment specifically configured to meet the special need of
India. It should become a focal point for multiple dimensions of education remarked Dr K
Kasturirangan, during whose chairmanship of ISRO the idea of EduSat was conceived. EduSat was
expected to fulfill several of Indias needs in education. Tele-education Mission Document, a report
published in 2001 by the Gramsat Program Unit of ISROs Development and Education
Communication Unit (DECU) identified the need for a dedicated satellite dedicated to education.
Launching of EDUSAT (Educational Satellite)
In 2002, ISRO in consultation with various agencies came up with a report Educating the Nation
Need for a Dedicated Satellite. This report argues that education in the Indian context requires a
large number of channels and a dedicated satellite. The report notes that the challenges for the India
in the field of education are complicated due to the pluralistic culture of multiple religion, language,
customs and mores..that of numbers and of quality. Indeed, the challenge is meaningfully
educating a one billion strong nation on a continuing basis Subsequently the EduSat project was
conceived by ISRO in consultation with MHRD.
Having identified that a dedicated satellite could be used for improving the educational scenario in
the country, ISRO/DECU embarked on a mission to see ways and means of effective and meaningful
utilization of the satellite capacity. EduSat Utilization A back grounder, a report authored by Hansa
Joshi and Gayathri Ayyangar of DECU, and published in July 2003 identifies the target audience for
EduSat as teacher, student, parents and the community. Students are the prime targets so far as
education is concerned but the teacher who imparts education to the students are also of great
importance. Hence, teachers training will be an important issue that needs to be focused on. It
further observes that EduSat could act as a medium for exchange of ideas among teachers by
facilitating across distances through video conferencing. To meet the above demand ISRO conceived
the Edusat project in October 2002 and launched on 20 September 2004, exclusively for the
educational sector. It was a collaborative project of MHRD, IGNOU, and ISRO.
EDUSAT is the first Indian satellite built exclusively for serving the educational sector. It is mainly
intended to meet the demand for an interactive satellite based distance education system for the
country. It strongly reflects Indias commitment to use space technology for national development,
especially for the development of the population in remote and rural locations. EDUSAT was placed
in the 36,000 km high geostationary orbit and co-located with INSAT-3C and KALPANA- 1110 kg
of propellants for orbit raising and maintenance is designed to provide service for seven years. It is a
3

collaborative project of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and the Department
of Space, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
EDUSAT is essentially dedicated to meet the felt-need for an interactive satellite-supported learning
and act as an interface between face-to-face and open flexible learning. It is an improved version of
the satellites launched under the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) series and has several new
features/ technologies. It has been specially configured for audio-visual medium, employing digital
interactive classroom and multi-centric system. It carries multiple regional beams covering different
parts of the country: five Ku-band transponders with spot beams covering Northern, North-eastern,
Eastern, Southern and Western regions, one Ku-band transponder with its footprint covering the
mainland region and six Extended C-band transponders with their footprint covering the entire
country .
Network Configuration :
The network is capable of data transfer from the teaching end to the remote classrooms. The data
includes lecture notes, courseware, presentation material, exercises etc. The network consists of three
major elements: teaching end, remote receiving sites called classrooms and spacecraft.
A. Teaching End
The teaching end consists of a small studio and an uplink earth station. The studio, which originates
live or recorded lectures, is linked to the uplink earth station. The lectures (visual images and the
audio signal) are transmitted to the satellite from where they are beamed back to earth covering a
large geographical area, for example, entire Punjab. The 6.3-metre antenna for uplink has been
installed in Govt. Polytechnic College for Girls, ROPAR (Punjab). Presentation PC, DVD player and
Digital camera are attached to the switcher and the switcher is used to select which of signal come
among Presentation PC, DVD player and Digital camera etc. The presenter PC has a digital monitor
that can be used as a White Board (Not Black Board!). Teacher can write texts or draw pictures
using a digital pen on this white board and this image also can be transmitted to students end. A mic
is directly attached to Server. Finally the mixed output sends to the modem through server computer.
B. Receiving End of Classroom
The live lectures are received at classrooms of the engineering and polytechnic colleges. There are
two types of classrooms - interactive and non-interactive. The 1.2-meter antenna has been installed in
each college. In the interactive classroom, the students can interact with the subject expert at the
teaching end through a voice link via satellite (64 kbps audio return channel).The question and the
subject expert's response to the question can be heard live in all classrooms. On interactive classroom
will have 'receive-only' facility and the students can interact with the subject expert via telephone
line or mobile phone or internet.
C. Spacecraft
EduSat, worlds first satellite meant only for educational purposes, is being used.
Objectives of Education Satellite System
The main objectives of EduSat are:
Providing Effective Teachers Training.
Supplementing the Curriculum based Teaching.
4

 Greater Community Participation and Monitoring

Providing Access to Quality Resource Persons (Higher &Professional Education).
Strengthening the Distance Education Efforts Initiated by Various Agencies.
Taking Education to Every Nook & Corner of the Country Providing Access to new technologies.
Uses of EDUSAT
Thus EDUSAT can be used for: Conventional Radio and Television broadcasting, Interactive Radio
and Television (phone-in, video on demand.), Exchange of data, Video conferencing, Audio
conferencing & Computer conferencing, and Web based education. It could provide access to
Internet; enable creation of large centralized databases of learning and teaching materials. It would
enable night - time loading of teaching materials as well as a variety of audio based services.
Connectivity
Like INSAT series of satellites, EduSat is being used for broadcasting audio and video programs:
one-way audio and one-way video (1A and 1V). These are Receive Only Terminals (ROTs). Audiovideo signals are sent by hub/ sub-hub/ uplink located at the national, regional or state level and
received at the learning centers equipped with downlink facilities or through local cable operated
networks. However, no talkback facility is available in this mode. Therefore, ROTs are useful for
transmitting information-based programs and replicate good lectures at several locations for learners.
Interactive network I
Interactivity is the key element of the EduSat network. In two-way audio and one-way video (2A and
1V) also, the audio-video signals are transmitted through EduSat hub/ sub-hub/ uplink and received
at the tele-learning centers equipped with downlink facilities or through local cable operated
networks. The centers equipped with talkback facility can interact through EduSat network. This
defined a milestone in the way education could be delivered.
Interactive network II
In two-way audio and two-way video (2A and 2V), both the audio and the video signals are sent and
received by the hub/ sub-hub/ uplink at the national, regional or state level. This system is
particularly useful for demonstration of experiments, microscopic as well as macroscopic processes
and situations, which need visual support. The learners can interact with experts to clarify their
doubts. In this system, both the uplink and the downlink centers have studio facilities. The learning
centers also have EduSat-based connectivity. The main limitation of the system stems from the fact
that not many learning centers can be linked simultaneously.
Two-way data transmission
EDUSAT also provides computer connectivity between hub/ sub-hub/ uplink. This system can be
used for transfer of data to and from the central, regional and state level centers located in schools/
colleges/ District Institutes of Educational Research and Training (DIETs)/Block Resource Centers
(BRCs). This ensures a minimum of e-mail connectivity to interact as also two-way audio-visual
5

transmission and amongst various other advanced options, at the school level, the EduSat is being
used to strengthen and up-scale the virtual classroom initiatives.
Institutions playing vital role
The following institutions play a vital role in the implementation of EDUSAT-based programmes:
IGNOU
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established in 1985 to provide
costeffective, quality education to large sections of our population including those living in remote
and far-flung areas. IGNOU has about 15 lakhs of students with varied profiles, spread throughout
the length and breadth of the country.
The university has an effective network of 58 regional centers (25 are IGNOU Regional Centers, 8
IGNOU North-East Regional Centers, 5 Army Command Centers, 8 IAF Command Centers, 4 Navy
Command Centers, 1 an Assam Rifles Command Centre and 7 CRPF Centers), 6 Sub- Regional
Centers and over 1,409 study centers all over India. As an open university, IGNOU is assisting other
developing countries.
AICTE
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is a statutory authority for planning,
formulating and maintaining norms and standards, ensuring quality assurance through accreditation,
funding priority areas, monitoring and evaluation, maintaining parity of certification and awards and
ensuring coordinated and integrated development and management of education in the segments of
engineering, technology, architecture, town planning, management, pharmacy, applied arts and crafts,
hotel management and catering technology at different levels.
ICAR
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) functions as the Principal Advisor to the
Government of India in all matters concerning research and education in agriculture, and allied
fields.
NCERT
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organisation
that advises and assists the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Departments of
Education in States/Union Territories in the formulation and implementation of their policies and
major programmes in the field of education, particularly for the qualitative improvement of school
education. It undertakes research, development, training, extension, publication and dissemination
activities.
UGC
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body of the Government of India for the
coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education in India.

Conclusions
As India enters the new millennium, it is necessary to sustain such kind of effort by continuously
tuning it to the fast changing requirement and updating the technology that goes into the making of
these sophisticated systems. The challenges continue to grow but that is what attracts and sustains the
interests of personnel working in the space program. Even if a satellite is launched, its meaningful
utilization in any sector including education is a million dollar question and raises many eyebrows.
The life span of EDUSAT, which was launched in September, 2004 is seven years and it has
provided many facilities and possibilities. But the real challenge before us is how to feed this
monster and reach out the rural masses especially millions of students teachers and teacher
educators in the country. For the successful use of this satellite a rigorous planning is need of the
hour and collaborative efforts are essential for designing of the software and its utilization for
achieving goals of education.