INSAT-3DS: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the INSAT-3DS spacecraft, as part of the GSLV-F14 mission, on February 17. The satellite will be launched at 5:30 pm IST on February 17, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, ISRO said in a mission update on February 8. This will be the 16th flight of ISRO's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
On January 25, 2024, the satellite was brought to Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
What is INSAT-3DS?
INSAT-3DS is a meteorological and disaster warning satellite. It is the latest INSAT (Indian National Satellite), and will allow a continuation to the services provided by the existing in-orbit INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites.
According to ISRO, INSAT 3D is a multipurpose geosynchronous satellite equipped with meteorological payloads such as an atmospheric imager and a sounder, and provides operational, environmental, and storm warnings to protect life and property by monitoring the Earth's surface and oceans. Meanwhile, INSAT-3DR is an advanced version of INSAT-3D. Some of the improvements incorporated in INSAT-3DR include imaging capabilities in the middle-infrared band to provide night-time pictures of low clouds and fog, imaging capabilities in two thermal infrared bands to allow for the estimation of sea surface temperatures with better accuracy, and higher spatial resolution in the visible and thermal infrared bands.
INSAT-3DS will also enable an enhancement of the capabilities of the INSAT system.
The satellite has a lift-off mass of 2,275 kilograms. Indian industries have made significant contributions to the realisation of the satellite.
INSAT-3DS is designed to perform enhanced meteorological observations, and to monitor land and ocean surfaces for weather forecast and disaster warning. The satellite is equipped with several state-of-the-art payloads, which include a six-channel imager, a 19-channel sounder, and two communication payloads. The Data Relay Transponder (DRT) instrument, and the Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) transponder are the two communication payloads.
The aim of the DRT is to receive meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic data from automatic data collection platforms and automatic weather stations, and enhance weather forecasting capabilities. The SAS&R transponder incorporated inside the satellite will relay a distress signal or alert detection from the beacon transmitters, and facilitate search and rescue services.
GSLV F14 will be ISRO's 93rd mission, and the space agency's second mission this year.
INSAT-3DS will be placed in a geostationary transfer orbit.
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