Sat to provide met services & disaster warning
Chennai, Feb 9:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of INSAT-3DS, a meteorological and disaster warning satellite, using its heaviest rocket Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from the spaceport of Sriharikota, SHAr-Range on February 17.
The GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission will take of from the Second Launch Pad 1730 on February 17, Saturday evening, ISRO said on Thursday.
In a post on X : ISRO said “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”, it said.
“The mission is fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). @moesgoi #INSAT3DS”, it said.
MOR
ISRO said the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite will be deployed into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Subsequent orbit-raising maneuvers will ensure that the satellite is positioned in a Geo-stationary Orbit.
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 the Data Collection and Data Dissemination capabilities from the Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) and To provide Satellite Aided Search and Rescue 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.
INSAT-3DS Satellite is a follow-on mission of Third Generation Meteorological Satellite from Geostationary Orbit.
Fully funded by the MoES, GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS missionis 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.
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.
The salient features of the satellite included providing metereological services, data relay and satellite aided search and rescue services.
It carries 6 channel Imager, 19 channel Sounder, Data Relay Transponder (DRT) and Satellite Aided Search and Research Transponder (SAS and R).
INSAT-3DS marks a significant advancement in India’s space capabilities. This satellite, designed to enhance weather forecasting and disaster management, represents a culmination of rigorous testing and collaboration between ISRO and various stakeholders.
The run-up to the launch of INSAT-3DS began with ISRO completing exhaustive tests and reviews of the satellite. On January 25, ISRO officially flagged off the satellite to Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking commencement of pre-launch activities.
INSAT-3DS is engineered to provide continuity of services to its predecessors, INSAT-3D (launched in 2013) and INSAT-3DR (2016), while also augmenting the capabilities of the INSAT platform. Its design, based on ISRO’s well-proven I-2k bus platform, boasts a lift-off mass of 2,275 kg, making it a robust addition to India’s satellite fleet.
