# INSAT-3B

> 26108

**Wikidata**: [Q13115915](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13115915)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INSAT-3B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/insat-3b

## Summary  
INSAT‑3B is an Indian communications satellite launched on 21 March 2000. Built and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it was placed into geostationary orbit aboard an Ariane 5G rocket from the ELA‑3 launch site.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 21 March 2000.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Ariane 5G, launched from ELA‑3.  
- **Mass at launch:** 2 070 kg.  
- **Operator/owner:** Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  
- **Country of origin:** India.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2000‑016B.  
- **Satellite class:** Communications satellite (geostationary).  
- **SCN identifier:** 26108.  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/05zsr8t.  
- **Wikipedia title:** INSAT‑3B; commons category: INSAT‑3B.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is INSAT‑3B?  
**A:** INSAT‑3B is a geostationary communications satellite built by ISRO to provide telecommunication services for India.

### Q: When and how was INSAT‑3B launched?  
**A:** It was launched on 21 March 2000 aboard a European Ariane 5G rocket from the ELA‑3 launch complex.

### Q: What services does INSAT‑3B support?  
**A:** As a communications satellite, INSAT‑3B carries transponders for television broadcasting, telephony, and data transmission across the Indian subcontinent.

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

### Q: What is the satellite’s mass?  
**A:** INSAT‑3B had a launch mass of approximately 2 070 kilograms.

## Why It Matters  
INSAT‑3B represents a pivotal step in India’s effort to build an autonomous, robust communications infrastructure. By placing a high‑capacity satellite in geostationary orbit, ISRO expanded the nation’s ability to deliver television, radio, and data services to remote and underserved regions, reducing reliance on foreign satellite capacity. The mission also demonstrated successful collaboration with international launch providers, using the European Ariane 5G vehicle, which broadened ISRO’s launch options and technical expertise. The satellite’s operation contributed to national security, disaster management, and economic development by enabling reliable, nationwide communication links. Its deployment reinforced India’s status as a major player in the global space arena and laid groundwork for subsequent INSAT generations that continue to underpin the country’s telecommunication ecosystem.

## Notable For  
- First INSAT series satellite launched on a European Ariane 5G vehicle.  
- One of the early Indian geostationary communications satellites with a launch mass exceeding 2 000 kg.  
- Served as a key platform for expanding India’s domestic broadcasting and telecommunication services.  
- Demonstrated ISRO’s capability to integrate foreign launch services while maintaining full operational control.  

## Body  

### Overview  
- INSAT‑3B is part of the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) series, dedicated to communications.  
- Classified as a communications satellite in a geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage over a fixed region.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 21 March 2000.  
- **Vehicle:** Ariane 5G, a European heavy‑lift launch rocket.  
- **Site:** ELA‑3 (Guiana Space Centre, Kourou).  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch recorded as a major milestone for ISRO’s satellite deployment strategy.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Launch mass:** 2 070 kg.  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary, positioned to remain over a constant longitude for uninterrupted service.  
- **Payload:** Equipped with multiple transponders for television, radio, and data communications (exact transponder count not specified in source).  

### Mission Profile  
- **Operator:** Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  
- **Purpose:** Deliver telecommunication services, including TV broadcasting, telephony, and data links across India.  
- **Ownership:** Fully owned by ISRO, reflecting India’s strategic intent to control its communications infrastructure.

### Legacy and Impact  
- Strengthened India’s domestic satellite communications capability.  
- Enabled broader access to broadcast media and reliable communication services in remote areas.  
- Set a precedent for future INSAT missions and collaborations with international launch providers.  

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*All information is derived from the provided source material and references.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/spacecraft/list-of-communication-satellites)