Question map
Which one of the following is the first geostationary, telecommunictaion satellite of India ?
Explanation
The Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) was India's first experimental geostationary communication satellite [t2][t4]. Launched on June 19, 1981, from Kourou, French Guiana, using the ESA's Ariane-1 rocket, it was a major milestone that placed India in the league of nations capable of developing three-axis stabilized geostationary satellites [t2][t7]. APPLE carried C-band transponders and was used for various communication and television broadcast experiments for over two years [t2][t9]. While Aryabhata (1975) was India's first satellite, it was a low Earth orbit (LEO) experimental satellite [c5]. Rohini (1980) was also an LEO satellite launched by India's own SLV-3 [c1]. The INSAT-1A (1982) was the first operational multipurpose geostationary satellite, but it followed the experimental APPLE mission [c1][t8]. Therefore, APPLE is recognized as the first geostationary telecommunication satellite of India.
Sources
- [1] https://www.isro.gov.in/APPLE.html?timeline=timeline
- [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_Passenger_Payload_Experiment
- [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 56
- [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Phase II: 1970–80 > p. 55