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| INSAT-3DS: Advancing Meteorological Observation |
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to launch the cutting-edge INSAT-3DS meteorological observation satellite on February 17, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, utilizing the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket. This mission endeavors to deploy INSAT-3DS into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, marking a significant stride in India's meteorological capabilities.
INSAT-3DS, a successor to the Third Generation Meteorological satellite series, is the latest addition to India's advanced INSAT-3D series, meticulously crafted for weather monitoring, forecasting, and disaster management from the geostationary orbit. Equipped with optical imaging and atmospheric sounding payloads, INSAT-3DS furnishes vital meteorological data crucial for precise weather predictions.
The GSLV rocket, designated as the "Naughty Boy," has been selected to ferry the 2,268 kg INSAT-3DS to the geosynchronous transfer orbit. This GSLV Mk II variant boasts a Cryogenic Upper Stage housing an indigenous high-thrust cryogenic engine, augmenting its payload capacity. Notably, this launch marks the 16th mission and the 10th flight utilizing the indigenous cryogenic engine of the GSLV rocket.
With a track record of launching advanced communications and geo-imaging satellites, the GSLV has proven its capability in placing 2.5-ton class spacecraft into desired orbits. Its reliability is underscored by the success of four out of five prior launches in the Mk II configuration.
The GSLV holds paramount significance in fostering India's self-reliant launch capability, obviating the need for foreign launchers and mitigating time and cost overheads. The successful development of indigenous cryogenic engine prototypes signifies a milestone in India's space endeavors.
Dubbed as the "naughty boy" of the Indian space program, the GSLV has encountered challenges, with a failure rate of 40 percent. Despite setbacks, the recent success in May 2023 underscores its resilience and potential for advancement.
The primary objectives of the INSAT-3DS mission encompass supplementing data from existing operational satellites for precise cyclone predictions, aiding disaster management, and monitoring the Earth's surface, oceanic observations, and environmental parameters across various spectral channels of meteorological significance. The mission aims to elucidate crucial meteorological parameters, furnishing indispensable data for weather analysis and satellite-assisted search and rescue operations.