Satellite Communication

Satellite is the most powerful medium of communication in the present-day world. The satellite has provided television services even in the remote areas of the country. It can provide a variety of information to remotest corner and in areas of rugged topography. India has made rapid strides in the field of satellite communication in the recent past.

Satellite system in India can be divided into two groups depending upon configuration and purposes. They are:

1. Indian National Satellite System (INSAT)
2. Indian Remote Sensing System (IRS)

Indian National Satellite System (INSAT)

It is a multipurpose satellite system for telecommunication, meteorological observation and for various other data and programmes. This system was established in 1983. It has revolutionised both personal and mass communication systems.

Indian Remote Sensing System (IRS)

National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) at Balanagar near Hyderabad was established in 1972. Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite system was operational with the commissioning of IRS-1A in March, 1988. Since then satellites of two series have been launched. India has also developed her own launching vehicle, PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). These satellites collect data in several spectral bands and transmit them to the ground stations for various uses. The National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) provides facilities for acquisition of data and its processing. These are useful in the management of natural resources.

Computers

Computer is one of the greatest inventions of man in the present day world. It is a multipurpose device which can be used from ordinary typing to preparing a horoscope. It is being used in geography for a variety of purposes. It has revolutionised the process of communication through e-mail, internet, website, etc. We can get almost every type of information sitting at home by using computer.

Basically, a computer performs four functions:

• It accepts data as input.
• It stores data, keeps it in its memory, and recalls the same as and when required.
• It processes data as per instructions given to get required information.
• It communicates the information as output.

The versatile use of computers in so many different fields is in fact an outcome of its special capabilities in terms of speed, accuracy, consistency, storage capacity and automation. It has an important role to play in the ld of education and transfer of knowledge.