History of Indian National Satellite Programme (INSAT)

Abstract

INSAT stands for Indian National Satellite. INSAT system has the first multipurpose Indian satellite launched into geosynchronous orbit in 1980s. INSAT was the most advanced non-military satellite ever launched anywhere. Though the INSAT programme was executed in 1980s, the core idea was conceived by Indian scientist Homi Jahangir Bhaba and Vikram Sarabhai much earlier. In the early days particularly in the 1960s Bhaba and his successor Sarabhai faced several difficulties. Homi Bhaba had begun scouting for a satellite for India as early as 1965. He was unwilling to purchase readymade satellite, because India would not learn anything about making satellites. Instead, he sought technical assistance in building a satellite and met Arnold Frutkin several times to discuss US assistance. Frutkin was the NASA’s pragmatic director of international programmes.  He, however, found it would not benefit NASA if Indians are to build satellites. Vikram Sarabhai encountered even greater obstacles by way of not only more resistance to technology transfer, but also systematic pressures from the United Sates and its allies, especially from Britain, aimed at discouraging India’s space program. Hesitantly, Sarabhai initiated the plan for an Indian national satellite to be called INSAT, in 1967.

Keywords: INSAT, NASA, International Programme