Satellite Networks for Education.

The paper has four main sections. The first is concerned with the characteristics and structure of satellite networks. The second discusses pressures within education that are causing the development of various types of networks and also identifies studies in which networking needs for educational sectors and services are defined. The third section examines the current status of educational networking for educational radio and television, instructional television fixed services, inter- and intra-State educational communication networks, computer networks, cable television for education, and continuing and proposed educational experiments using NASA's Applications Technology Satellites. The fourth describes possible satellite-based educational telecommunication services and three alternatives for implementing educational satellite systems. The paper concludes with some remarks concerning public policy aspects of future educational satellite system development. (Author/JK)