ISRO to launch meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS on February 17

Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS will be launched on February 17. The launch of the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission will be carried out at 5.30 pm from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. In its 16th mission, the GSLV aims to deploy the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Subsequent orbit-raising maneuvers will ensure that the satellite is positioned in a Geo-stationary Orbit, ISRO said in a statement on February 8. 

The current mission is fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This will be ISRO’s second launch in 2024 after the successful launch of XPoSAT from Sriharikota on January 1 in PSLV’s 60th flight.

INSAT-3DS Satellite is a follow-on mission of Third Generation Meteorological Satellite from Geostationary Orbit. It is designed for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning. The satellite will augment the Meteorological services along with the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites. Indian Industries have significantly contributed to the making of the Satellite.

ISRO said the primary objectives of this mission are to monitor Earth’s surface, carry out oceanic observations and its environment in various spectral channels of meteorological importance. The studies will provide the vertical profile of various meteorological parameters of the atmosphere to provide the data collection and data dissemination capabilities from the Data Collection Platforms and to provide satellite-aided search and rescue services, the ISRO said.

Various departments of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) such as the India Meteorology Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and various other agencies and institutes will be using the INSAT-3DS Satellite data to provide improved weather forecasts and meteorological services.

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a three-stage 51.7 m long launch vehicle having a liftoff mass of 420 tonnes. The first stage (GS1) comprises a solid propellant (S139) motor having 139-ton propellant and four earth-storable propellant stages (L40) strapons which carry 40 tons of liquid propellant in each. The second stage (GS2) is also an earth-storable propellant stage loaded with 40-ton propellant.

The third stage (GS3) is a cryogenic stage with a 15-ton propellant loading of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2). During the atmospheric regime, the Satellite is protected by Ogive payload fairing. GSLV can be used to launch a variety of spacecraft capable of performing communications, navigation, earth resource surveys, and any other proprietary mission.

Also see: Budget 2024: With Gaganyaan in sight, ISRO to receive Rs 13,000 crore for development of upcoming missions this year