One of the major applications of the satcom has been for education. The TDC Channel (TDCC) was used extensively by IGNOU, AIMA, NCERT, DEP-DPEP, etc. and a few state open universities. The new areas which need a special attention include linking of schools, colleges/universities, educational institutions, continuing education and up-gradation of professionals (e.g. doctors, lawyers, etc.) The thrust will be on reaching the unreached in remote areas.

There is a growing demand for an interactive satellite based distance education system for the country. ISRO plans to develop EDUSAT system to meet this demand. To set up sustainable distance education services in India, the GSAT-3 Applications Programme (GAP-3) has been proposed which will use GSAT-3 satellite as a supplementary communications medium and advanced ground technology of convergence. GSAT-3 is configured to meet the initial requirements of EDUSAT - an exclusive satellite for educational purposes - that will be put into geo-stationary orbit by GSLV-3 in 2004-05. Preparations are also underway for the establishment of ground infrastructure and the software needed for the distance education programmes.

Objectives of Education Satellite System are to meet the challenges of number and quality of education through (a) providing effective teachers' training, (b) supplementing the curriculum based teaching, (c) greater community participation and monitoring, (d) providing access to quality resource persons (higher & professional education), (e) strengthening the distance education efforts initiated by various agencies (f) taking education to every nook & corner of the country, and (g) providing access to new technologies.

Proposed Services and Features

Following are some of the main features and services of the proposed system:

- Multimedia
- Multicast with provisions of interactivity from all remotes
- Secured access to transmission through registration and accounting
- Educational content archival service

The satellite will offer literacy, enhanced education, training, and enrichment through 5 Ku-band transponders. Pilot projects are being initiated in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

GSLV for EDUSAT

The second developmental test flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-D2, was sucessfully carried out in the afternoon of May 8, 2003 from Satish Dhawan Space Center - SHAR, Sriharikota, about 100 km north of Chennai, marking a major milestone in the Indian Space Programme.

GSLV is the most technollogically challenging project undertaken so far under the Indian Space Programme. It is the culmination of efforts of a large number of scientists, engineers and technicians, for over a decade. With two sucessful test flights, the present GSLV, which has the nomenclature of GSLV-Mk I, is now available for launching satellites of up to 2 tonne into GTO. The first operational flight of GSLV-Mk I will be utilised for launching an exclusive educational satellite, EDUSAT, for the Ministry of Human Resources Development. Having already established indigenous capability through PSLV for launching IRS class of remote sensing satellites, the GSLV has made the Indian Space Programme a self-reliant one while further tuning it towards national development.