The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for an important launch on February 17th that will enhance the countrys weather forecasting capabilities. The GSLV F14 rocket will carry the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.The sophisticated INSAT-3DS satellite has been designed to provide advanced meteorological observations and data to significantly improve weather prediction, according to ISRO. Equipped with cutting-edge instruments like a 6-channel imager and 19-channel sounder, INSAT-3DS will enable high-quality data collection of land and ocean surfaces. Its communication payloads, such as the Data Relay Transponder and Search and Rescue transponder, will also support global search and rescue efforts.INSAT-3DS will be a crucial asset for monitoring weather systems and contributing to disaster early-warning capabilities, an ISRO spokesperson commented. The geosynchronous satellite has been fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.🚀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, 2024The upcoming launch is part of an intensive manifesto for the Satish Dhawan Space Centre over the next two years. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has released plans for approximately 30 launches from the site between 2023-2025. An increasing number represent Indias burgeoning commercial space sector, with launches booked by start-ups like Agnikul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace. Academic institutions are also getting involved, with satellites from IIT-Madras, Manipal Institute of Technology and more slated for launch.Its an exciting time for Indias space programme, with ISROs world-class launch capabilities enabling more organisations to access space than ever before, an IN-SPACe spokesperson said. The upcoming INSAT-3DS mission will be a major step forward for weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities in the region.
