EDUSAT: Covering Classrooms Per Beam

The question asks to identify the system envisaged to cover approximately 150 classrooms per beam. Based on the context of educational delivery via satellite, EDUSAT is the correct answer.

Understanding EDUSAT

EDUSAT (Educational Satellite) was an Indian satellite system specifically designed for telecommunications and television education. Launched by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), its primary goal was to provide educational services via satellite across India.

EDUSAT's Coverage Capability

• EDUSAT was designed to provide access to educational resources to a vast number of users, including remote areas.
• The concept of "classrooms per beam" refers to the satellite's ability to transmit signals (like educational content) to multiple receiving terminals (classrooms) within a specific geographical area covered by a satellite beam.
• EDUSAT's satellite beams were intended to cover large geographical regions, facilitating the simultaneous delivery of educational programs to numerous educational institutions. The figure of about 150 classrooms per beam signifies the intended reach and capacity of the EDUSAT network for educational outreach.

Evaluating Other Options

• SITE (Satellite Instructional Television Experiment): This was an earlier experimental satellite project (1975-76) in India, focusing on television transmission but predates the specific capabilities and scale implied by the question.
• Ku-band: This refers to a specific frequency range used for satellite communications. While EDUSAT might have used Ku-band frequencies, Ku-band itself is a technology, not a specific service or satellite system envisaged for classroom coverage.
• GEDU: This term is not commonly associated with a specific satellite or educational system matching the description. It might refer to general education, but not a specific satellite network for classroom coverage.

Therefore, EDUSAT is the satellite system specifically planned and equipped to cover a significant number of classrooms, such as the stated 150 classrooms, through its satellite beams.