Thiruvananthapuram: India's exclusive satellite for educational services, Edusat, would be declared operational after completing all tests on October 24, R V Perumal, Director (Projects), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), said in Thiruvananthapuram today (Oct 4, 2004).

Addressing a media workshop held in connection with the World Space Week celebrations, which began at the VSSC, he said the testing of 'C' band transponders of the satellite, launched from Sriharkota on September 20, was already over.

The remaining tests would be carried out in the coming days and the satellite would be operational by October 24, he said.

All educational institutions in the country would be able to receive information through EDUSAT, using a small antenna.

"Edusat offers a lot of opportunities to institutions. For example, self-financing colleges can chalk out a collaborative programme by which an eminent professor could address all the colleges in their network," he said.

It could be put to commercial use also as new software could be developed for entertainment and education. Adult education could also be served in a big way using Edusat and information packages could be made available to villages.

"The Edusat will bring about a very successful social revolution. The satellite has a designed life of seven years, but we hope that it will be there for our use for 10 years," he said.