# GSAT-3

> educational satellite created by India

**Wikidata**: [Q616738](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q616738)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSAT-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat-3

## Summary  
GSAT‑3, also called EDUSAT, is an Indian communications satellite launched on 20 September 2004 to provide educational broadcasting services. It was placed into a geostationary orbit by the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark I (GSLV‑I) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 20 September 2004【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark I (GSLV‑I)【source】  
- **Mass at launch:** 1 950.5 kg【source】  
- **Operator & owner:** Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)【source】  
- **Alias:** EDUSAT【source】  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit (after transfer via geostationary transfer orbit)【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2004‑036A【source】  
- **Country of origin:** India【source】  
- **Instance of:** Communications satellite (educational class)【source】  
- **Launch site:** Satish Dhawan Space Centre, First Launch Pad【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is GSAT‑3?  
A: GSAT‑3, also known as EDUSAT, is an Indian communications satellite designed primarily for educational broadcasting.  

### Q: When and how was GSAT‑3 launched?  
A: It was launched on 20 September 2004 aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark I from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre’s First Launch Pad.  

### Q: Who operates GSAT‑3?  
A: The satellite is operated and owned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  

### Q: What orbit does GSAT‑3 occupy?  
A: After launch, GSAT‑3 was placed into a geostationary transfer orbit and subsequently positioned in a geostationary orbit for continuous coverage.  

### Q: Why is GSAT‑3 also called EDUSAT?  
A: The “EDU” prefix reflects its primary mission of delivering educational content across India’s remote and underserved regions.  

## Why It Matters  
GSAT‑3 (EDUSAT) represents a strategic step by India to harness space technology for societal benefit, specifically in education. By delivering digital learning material directly to schools, colleges, and community centers via a dedicated communications platform, the satellite helps bridge the digital divide in remote and rural areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited. Operated by ISRO, the mission showcases the agency’s capability to design, launch, and manage a specialized communications payload that serves a public‑service objective rather than purely commercial or scientific goals. The satellite’s geostationary positioning ensures uninterrupted, nationwide coverage, enabling real‑time interactive sessions, distance learning, and broadcast of educational programs. As a pioneering Indian educational satellite, GSAT‑3 set a precedent for subsequent missions that integrate space assets into national development agendas, reinforcing the role of space technology as an enabler of inclusive growth and knowledge dissemination.  

## Notable For  
- First Indian satellite dedicated exclusively to educational communications (EDUSAT).  
- Launched using the indigenous GSLV‑Mark I, marking a milestone for India’s launch capabilities.  
- Operates in a geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage over the Indian subcontinent.  
- Managed entirely by ISRO, illustrating domestic end‑to‑end satellite development and operation.  

## Body  

### Overview  
GSAT‑3 (EDUSAT) is classified as a communications satellite with an educational focus. It was developed and is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 20 September 2004  
- **Vehicle:** Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark I (GSLV‑I)  
- **Site:** Satish Dhawan Space Centre, First Launch Pad  

### Physical Characteristics  
- **Launch mass:** 1 950.5 kg  
- **Design purpose:** Broadcasting of educational content across India  

### Orbital Placement  
- **Initial trajectory:** Geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)  
- **Final orbit:** Geostationary orbit (GEO) for stationary positioning relative to Earth’s surface  

### Operational Role  
- Provides a dedicated communication link for distance education, tele‑learning, and interactive classroom sessions.  
- Enables nationwide reach, especially to regions lacking robust terrestrial broadband infrastructure.  

### Classification & Identifiers  
- **Instance of:** Communications satellite (educational subclass)  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2004‑036A  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/078pt4  
- **Wikidata description:** educational satellite created by India  

### Legacy  
GSAT‑3’s successful deployment demonstrated ISRO’s ability to tailor satellite technology for specific societal needs, paving the way for future educational and public‑service missions.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/list-of-gslv-launches)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/spacecraft/list-of-communication-satellites)
5. Quora