Amsat India the organization of Hams for Indian Amateur Satellite Programme thanks Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for dedicating an exclusive satellite for Radio Amateurs  and successful launch, which will benefit the hams not only in India but all International Hams operating the satellite modes.

We thank Dr. K. Kasturirangan the former chairman of ISRO for kindling the Indian Ham Sat program in 1998 at one of our All India Hamfest meet held in Bangalore. His statement that the Indian Hams could think of a Hamsat of its own encouraged us to form an association of Amsat India which co-ordinated the Hamsat project, and the hard work and encouragement by Dr. G. Madhavan Nair - Chairman ISRO and Secretary, Dept. of Space, Dr. P.S. Goel - Director ISRO Satellite Centre, Mr. K. Thygarajan - Programme Director, Mr. J. P. Gupta - Project Director - HAMSAT, Deputy Project Directors and the members of the Upagrah Amateur Radio Club (VU2URC) at ISRO in realizing the project.

Dr. Kasturi Rangan  felicitated by VU2POP along with VU2UV President of AMSAT INDIA	VU2RMS thanking Dr. Kasturi Rangan for all the support extended.	Dr. Kasturi Rangan discusses the success of HAMSAT with AMSAT INDIA Team.

Hams in India and world will be indebted to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the dedication to Hamsat.

Indian Ham pioneers to mention a few; VU2RM Rao, VU2UV Air Cmde Suby have been active on these early satellites since 1960, followed by .VU2TS Ganesh, Late VU2IR Bindu, VU2MKP Bob.

Hamsat by ISRO has been specifically designed to cater the needs of a simple Ham setup to utilize the transponder in various modes. This satellite would enable the VHF and UHF operators to conduct the experiments by using the available digital modes like FSK31, PSK, SSTV and so on. This would also help in general communications and also during disasters and emergency operations within the footprint of the satellite. This HAMSAT will encourage more and more hams to get through the transponder and thereby providing a opportunity to know, learn & expertise in satellite tracking, communication and space physics. 

Demonstrating the capabilities of HAMSAT to the school children would definitely kindle great interest among these young minds and provides greater affinity towards space science subjects in their academics.

Hamsat will be orbiting at a height of 628 kms approximately above earth and will have 2 passes in the morning and 2 passes in the evening over any given area with a foot print of about 4500 kms wide which would provide to establish a contact with other hams in neighboring countries with a simple handheld setup.

At the recent pre-launch meet in ISRO, Amsat India (Regd.) was encouraged to continue with the next series of Hamsat projects. Amsat India has worked out the test plan for the new transponder design in the coming weeks.

Air Cmde Suby - VU2UV
President & Co-ordinator - Amsat India (Regd.)