50 years of SITE, India’s pioneering satellite TV experiment
Why in the news
The 50th anniversary of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment, or SITE, is being marked in 2025. It remains a landmark in India-US space cooperation and rural broadcasting.
Key facts
- SITE began on 1 August 1975 and ended on 31 July 1976.
- It covered over 2,400 villages in 20 districts across six states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan.
- Signals were relayed through NASA’s ATS-6 satellite.
- Partners: NASA, ISRO and All India Radio, with UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF and ITU supporting.
- Ground hardware was designed and made in India.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Aug 1975 to 31 Jul 1976 |
| Villages | Over 2,400 |
| Districts | 20 |
| Satellite | ATS-6 (NASA) |
About SITE
The experiment tested satellite-based instructional television in rural areas, carrying programmes on health, hygiene, family planning, nutrition and farming, plus school programmes and teacher training. Content was in Hindi, Odia, Telugu and Kannada. It reflected Vikram Sarabhai’s vision of using space technology for society.
Exam angle
- Remember the satellite: ATS-6.
- Link SITE with ISRO, NASA and Vikram Sarabhai.
- Know the numbers: 2,400 villages, 20 districts, six states.