Millions of illiterate people in remote, rural India could soon have access to an education, as a satellite devoted exclusively to long distance learning was launched on Monday. It is the world's first dedicated educational satellite, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
India launched the $20 million, 2-tonne EDUSAT from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, a tiny island in the Bay of Bengal. The satellite is the heaviest ever launched by an Indian-made rocket - the new Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), which cost $33 million.
Even though I'm gung-ho for the project, I can't help wondering if the satellite has other more strategic uses. After all, Pakistan already launched PAKSAT-1, a communications satellite, back in January of 2003, even though it wasn't technically only for educational purposes. Now India's stealing Pakistan's thunder.
Watch for Pakistan to launch DEFEATINDIASAT next.
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