Communication Satellites provide services to telecommunications, television broadcasting, satellite newsgathering, societal applications, weather forecasting, disaster warning and Search and Rescue operations.
The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) series of satellites in Geostationary Orbit (INSAT-3A, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4CR) are used for communication purposes.
GSAT series also joins the constellation of the INSAT systems in providing communication services.
Earth Observation Satellites are used for several applications covering agriculture, water resources, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry, ocean resources, and disaster management.
Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series of satellites in Sun-synchronous polar orbit are Earth observation satellites.
Satellites in – Sun-synchronous orbit – RESOURCESAT-1, 2, 2A CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1
Navigation Satellites are used to meet the emerging demand of positioning, navigation, and timing, and also civil aviation requirements. GAGAN and IRNSS (NAVIC) are navigation satellite systems in use.
GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), is implemented jointly by ISRO and the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
The main objectives of GAGAN are to provide Satellite-based Navigation services with accuracy and integrity required for civil aviation applications and to provide better Air Traffic Management over Indian Airspace.
The GAGAN Signal-In-Space (SIS) is available through GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.
Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), NavIC is an independent regional navigation satellite system to provide accurate position information service.
Space Science and Exploration Satellites encompass research in areas like astronomy, astrophysics, planetary, and earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, and theoretical physics.
E.g – Mars Orbiter Mission, AstroSat, Chandrayaan -1,2.
Types of Satellites