# INSAT-3E

> defunct Satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5972415](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5972415)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INSAT-3E)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/insat-3e

## Summary
INSAT-3E is a defunct Indian communications satellite designed for telecommunications. Launched on September 27, 2003, it was manufactured and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to serve as part of India's geostationary satellite fleet.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Communications satellite (artificial satellite for telecommunications)
- **Status:** Defunct
- **Launch Date:** September 27, 2003
- **Operator:** Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- **Manufacturer:** Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 5G (European launch vehicle)
- **Mass:** 2,775 kilograms
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit
- **Launch Site:** ELA-3
- **Identification IDs:** SCN 27951; COSPAR 2003-043E; Freebase /m/0g56w3d

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of INSAT-3E?
A: INSAT-3E was an artificial communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services. It was part of the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) and operated from a geostationary orbit.

### Q: When and how was INSAT-3E launched?
A: The satellite was launched on September 27, 2003. It was carried into space by a European Ariane 5G launch vehicle departing from the ELA-3 launch site.

### Q: Who was responsible for the creation and operation of INSAT-3E?
A: The satellite was manufactured, owned, and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on behalf of India.

### Q: Is INSAT-3E still operational?
A: No, INSAT-3E is currently classified as a defunct satellite.

## Why It Matters
INSAT-3E represented a significant asset in India's space-based telecommunications infrastructure during the early 2000s. As a heavy satellite with a mass of 2,775 kilograms, its successful deployment into geostationary orbit demonstrated the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) continued development of the INSAT program. The mission is also a notable example of international cooperation in space exploration, as India utilized the European Ariane 5G launch vehicle and the ELA-3 launch facility to reach orbit. 

By providing dedicated telecommunications capacity, the satellite played a role in expanding connectivity and broadcasting capabilities across the region. Although it is now defunct, its mission history provides a factual record of ISRO's satellite manufacturing and operational milestones. It remains cataloged under SCN 27951 and COSPAR ID 2003-043E, serving as a data point for tracking man-made objects in geostationary orbit.

## Notable For
- **Heavy-Lift Launch:** One of the Indian satellites launched using the European Ariane 5G heavy-lift vehicle.
- **ISRO Integration:** A project where the Indian Space Research Organisation served as the manufacturer, owner, and operator.
- **Geostationary Placement:** Successfully maintained a position in geostationary orbit to provide consistent telecommunications coverage.
- **Substantial Mass:** At 2,775 kg, it was a significant technological payload for the INSAT series at the time of its 2003 launch.

## Body

### Technical Profile
INSAT-3E was an artificial communications satellite with a launch mass of 2,775 kilograms. It is identified in satellite tracking databases by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 27951 and the COSPAR ID 2003-043E. The satellite was designed specifically for telecommunications applications, serving as a node in the larger network of Indian orbital assets.

### Launch History
The satellite was launched on September 27, 2003. The launch was conducted from the ELA-3 site using an Ariane 5G, a class of European launch vehicles. This significant event successfully placed the craft into a geostationary orbit, where it remained for its operational lifespan.

### Management and Ownership
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was the central entity behind INSAT-3E, serving as its manufacturer, owner, and operator. The satellite is associated with India and is part of the country's long-standing INSAT program. 

### Current Status
Following its period of service, INSAT-3E reached the end of its functional life and is now categorized as a defunct satellite. It remains in orbit as a non-operational object. Information regarding the satellite is documented across various international databases, including Wolfram Language (Entity "Satellite", "27951") and Wikidata.

## References

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