ISRO successfully launches Insat-3DS weather satellite; Here's what you need to know

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another milestone on Saturday with the successful launch of Insat-3DS, a third-generation weather satellite aimed at enhancing meteorological services and refining weather forecasts across India.

GSLV-F14 Lifts Off from Sriharikota

GSLV-F14, carrying the Insat-3DS satellite, embarked on its journey from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5:35 pm. Approximately 18 minutes after liftoff, the three-stage rocket placed the weather satellite into a 253km geosynchronous transfer orbit.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath expressed satisfaction with the launch, noting that the GSLV's success instilled confidence for future missions, including the upcoming NISAR (NASA-ISRO SAR) launch.

#ISRO UNSTOPPABLE!
Celebrating the launch of INSAT 3DS …the latest generation Climate/Weather satellite.
Proud to be associated with Department of Space at a time when Team ISRO continues to accomplish one success after the other,with personal patronage from PM Sh @NarendraModi pic.twitter.com/Gs5GUxw84O

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) February 17, 2024

Enhanced meteorological observations

Insat-3DS satellite represents a significant advancement in meteorological observation from geostationary orbit. It serves as a follow-on mission to augment the meteorological services provided by the operational Insat-3D and Insat-3DR satellites.

The satellite is equipped with advanced payloads designed for enhanced meteorological observations, including monitoring land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning. Its payloads include a six-channel imager, a 19-channel sounder, a data relay transponder, and a satellite-aided search and rescue transponder.

Utilization of satellite data

Data collected by the Insat-3DS satellite will be utilized by various departments under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, including the India Meteorology Department, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). This data will facilitate improved weather forecasts and meteorological services across the country.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences has funded the launch of the satellite, underscoring its significance in advancing meteorological capabilities in India.

Testimonial from mission director

Mission director Tomy Joseph celebrated the success of the launch, likening the transformation of GSLV to a "naughty boy" maturing into a disciplined vehicle. V Narayanan, director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, highlighted the vehicle's evolution in payload capability, showcasing a 50% increase from its initial flight.

GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission:

The launch is now scheduled at 17:35 Hrs. IST.

It can be watched LIVE from 17:00 Hrs. IST on
Website https://t.co/osrHMk7MZL
Facebook https://t.co/SAdLCrrAQX
YouTube https://t.co/IvlZd5tVi7
DD National TV Channel@DDNational @moesgoi #INSAT3DS

— ISRO (@isro) February 15, 2024

M Sankaran, director of U R Rao Satellite Centre, praised the GSLV's performance, noting its textbook-like precision and its ability to extend the spacecraft's operational life.

The successful launch of Insat-3DS marks another milestone in India's space exploration journey, further enhancing the nation's capabilities in weather forecasting and disaster management.