The INSAT-3DS satellite will augment the INSAT 3D and INSAT 3DR satellites, which have been used for weather forecasting.
GSLV-F14 launch vehicle. (ISRO/X)
Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, on Saturday, 17 February, said that the INSAT-3DS satellite, placed into orbit by the ISRO’s GSLV rocket, will transform meteorological services and enhance weather forecasting.
The INSAT-3DS satellite, fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, will augment the existing INSAT 3D and INSAT 3DR satellites, which have been used for weather forecasting and are nearing the end of their mission life.
Rijiju took to X to thank the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists for the successful launch of the satellite onboard the GSLV-F14 mission from the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.
The satellite “will transform meteorological services, enhance weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, showcasing our commitment to further climate action. A proud moment for the nation,” Rijiju said in his post.
Congratulations to @moesgoi & @isro for the triumphant launch of GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS 2024 Mission!
Precision in every detail, showcasing the brilliance of our scientists. This monumental achievement resonates with the visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji in… pic.twitter.com/ywg6JfibD0— Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) February 17, 2024
At the end of the 27.5-hour countdown, the nearly 52-metre-tall GSLV-F14 lifted off majestically from the second launch pad at the Sriharikota spaceport at 5:35 pm on Saturday.
The three-stage rocket with a cryogenic upper stage, after a flight of about 20 minutes, separated from the vehicle as planned and placed the satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences said that the INSAT-3DS satellite will help study characteristics of clouds and movement of water vapour over India every 15 minutes.
“With better temperature, wind, and water vapour profiles, meteorologists will be able to study the weather phenomena in greater detail and issue better forecasts,” Ravichandran told PTI.
“It has the imager and sounder, which will enable observing clouds from space at different frequencies to better understand their characteristics. The sounder will give us information about water vapour content at different levels,” he said.
Ravichandran said that a better understanding of these two parameters will be assimilated into the weather forecasting models which will lead to improved forecasts.
“It will be very useful for cyclone tracking. It will be able to monitor the eye of a cyclone continuously and keep sending us information every 15 minutes. This is important for tracking cyclones,” he said.
The 2,274-kg INSAT-3DS satellite has a mission life of 10 years and will provide advanced weather observations of both land and ocean surfaces, aiding in short-range forecasts of extreme weather events, providing visibility estimation for aviation, and studying forest fires, smoke, snow cover, and climate.
The private sector also played a key role in the realisation of the satellite and the development of the launch vehicle.
Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies has been actively involved in the manufacturing of 55 modules for the launch vehicle, including the navigation electronics, sensor interface modules, safety and arming units and telemetry interfaces — key components that contributed to the overall success of the mission.
For the INSAT-3DS satellite, the company supplied a complete power control system, solar array generation system, power distribution system, DC-DC power converters and star sensors.
“We are thrilled to have been a part of this GSLV-F14 launch, which showcases the collaborative efforts between ISRO and the private sector,” said Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, founder of Ananth Technologies.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Saturday, congratulated ISRO scientists for the successful launch of the next generation weather observation satellite INSAT-3DS and said it will bolster the country’s might in battling natural calamities with precision.
Taking to X, he posted, “Congratulations to our @isro scientists on the successful launch of the advanced meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS today.”
He added, “The third-generation apparatus will bolster Bharat’s might in battling natural calamities with precision. It is a giant step towards realising PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s resolve to achieve zero casualties, in every disaster.”
Congratulations to our @isro scientists on the successful launch of the advanced meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS today.
The third-generation apparatus will bolster Bharat's might in battling natural calamities with precision. It is a giant step towards realizing PM Shri… pic.twitter.com/FkRdv03d0s
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) February 17, 2024
(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)
Jul 10, 2024
May 27, 2024
May 15, 2024
May 02, 2024
Apr 29, 2024
Apr 29, 2024
