ISRO is all set to launch INSAT-3DS, a meteorological and disaster warning satellite, on February 17 at 17:35 hours IST from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch countdown began on Friday.
The satellite is designed for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art payloads viz., 6 channel Imager & 19 channel Sounder meteorology payloads, communication payloads viz., The Data Relay Transponder (DRT) and Satellite aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) transponder.
INSAT-3DS Satellite is a follow-on mission of Third Generation Meteorological Satellite from Geostationary Orbit. GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission is fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
In its 16th mission, the GSLV aims to deploy the INSAT-3DS satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Subsequent orbit-raising maneuvers will ensure that the satellite is positioned in a Geo-stationary Orbit.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a three-stage 51.7 m long launch vehicle with a liftoff mass of 420 tonnes.