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INSAT 3

INSAT is unique in its design combining telecommunication, television and radio broadcasting and meteorological services on a single platform. The involvement of various users like Department of Telecommunication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. India Meteorological Department enabled proper tuning of INSAT system towards identified national developmental needs. Work on INSAT-3 series of satellites has already begun. Five satellites in the INSAT-3 series have been planned and the first two satellites, INSAT-3A and INSAT-3B were initially planned for launch in 1999 and 2000.

The multipurpose satellite, INSAT-3A launched in April 2003 is completing nine years of operation. It is located at 93.5ºE longitude along with INSAT-4B. The INSAT-3A payloads include 12 Normal C-band transponders (9 channels provide expanded coverage from Middle East to South East Asia with an Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) of 38 dBW, 3 channels provide India coverage with an EIRP of 36 dBW), 6 Extended C-band transponders provide India coverage with an EIRP of 36 dBW, 6 Ku-band transponders provide India coverage with an EIRP of 48 dBW.

The satellite also carries a Satellite Aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) payload having a global receive coverage with 406 MHz uplink and 4500 MHz downlink with India coverage, for relay of signals from distress beacons in sea, air or land.

Launched in January 2002, INSAT-3C is positioned at 74ºE longitude. INSAT-3C payloads include 24 Normal C-band transponders providing an EIRP of 37 dBW, six Extended C-band transponders with an EIRP of 37 dBW, two S-band transponders to provide BSS services with 42 dBW EIRP, and an MSS payload. All the transponders provide coverage over India. The satellite was continuing to provide satisfactory service by 2013.

Launched in September 2003, INSAT-3E was positioned at 55ºE longitude along with GSAT-8 and carries 24 Normal C-band transponders that provide an edge of coverage EIRP of 37 dBW over India and 12 Extended C-band transponders provide an edge of coverage EIRP of 38 dBW over India. By 2013 the satellite was operating with reduced capacity due to an onboard power related anomaly.

INSAT-3D is another exclusive METSAT launched in 2004. With this, the INSAT-3 series would be over. Then the INSAT-4 series, comprising 7 satellites, would begin in 2005.