The satellite will enhance meteorological observations and help in better weather forecasting and disaster warning.
Published Feb 09, 2024 | 8:04 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 09, 2024 | 8:06 AM
The INSAT-3DS satellite is a follow-on mission of a third-generation meteorological satellite to be placed in geostationary orbit. (X)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has said that the launch of its meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS, which will enhance meteorological observations and help in better weather forecasting and disaster warning, is scheduled for 17 February.
The satellite will be launched onboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV F14).
The INSAT-3DS satellite is a follow-on mission of a third-generation meteorological satellite to be placed in geostationary orbit, and it is fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
“The launch of the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission is set for Saturday, February 17, at 5:30 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota,” ISRO said on Thursday, 8 February.
In its 16th mission, the GSLV aims to deploy the satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Subsequent orbit-raising manoeuvres will ensure that the satellite is positioned in a geostationary orbit, the space agency said.
The satellite is designed to make enhanced meteorological observations and monitor land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning, the space agency said.
The satellite will augment meteorological services along with the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites, it added, stating that Indian industries have significantly contributed to the making of the satellite.
ISRO said the primary objectives of the mission are: To monitor earth’s surface, carry out oceanic observations and its environment in various spectral channels of meteorological importance, to provide the vertical profile of various meteorological parameters of the atmosphere, to provide data collection and data dissemination capabilities from the Data Collection Platforms (DCPs), and to provide Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue services.
These will be achieved through the satellite’s payloads such as six channel imager, 19 channel sounder, Data Relay Transponder (DRT), and Satellite Aided Search & Rescue transponder (SAS&R).
Many departments of the 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), and Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and other agencies and institutes will be using the INSAT-3DS satellite data to provide improved weather forecasts and meteorological services.
Giving details about the launch vehicle, ISRO said that the GSLV is a three-stage, 51.7 m long vehicle with a liftoff mass of 420 tonnes. The first stage (GS1) comprises a solid propellant (S139) motor containing 139 tons of propellant and four earth-storable propellant stage (L40) strap-ons which carry 40 tonnes of liquid propellant in each.
The second stage (GS2) is also an earth-storable propellant stage loaded with 40-tonne propellant. The third stage (GS3) is a cryogenic stage with a 15-tonne propellant loading of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2). During the atmospheric regime, the satellite is protected by Ogive payload fairing, ISRO said.
GSLV can be used to launch a variety of spacecraft capable of performing earth resource surveys, communications, navigation, and any other proprietary missions.
🚀GSLV-F14/🛰️INSAT-3DS Mission:
The mission is set for lift-off on February 17, 2024, at 17:30 Hrs. IST from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.
In its 16th flight, the GSLV aims to deploy INSAT-3DS, a meteorological and disaster warning satellite.
The mission is fully funded by the… pic.twitter.com/s4I6Z8S2Vw— ISRO (@isro) February 8, 2024
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