Isro to launch INSAT-3DR on Sep 8

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will  launch an advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on September 8 from Sriharikota space centre.

The 2,211 kg INSAT-3DR will be carried by India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-F05 and will put the satellite into the required Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). GSLV-F05 is the flight in which the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) is being carried on-board for the fourth time. 

GSLV-F05, which is the tenth flight of GSLV, is specifically designed to inject 2 - 2.5 ton class of satellites into GTO. After reaching the GTO, INSAT-3DR will use its own propulsion system to reach its final geosynchronous orbital home and will be stationed at 74 degrees east longitude. 

“After obtaining clearance from Mission Readiness Review (MRR) Committee and Launch Authorisation Board (LAB), GSLV-F05 / INSAT-3DR will be launched on September 8 at 4.10 pm from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota,” a senior Isro official told DH on Sunday.

The officer said that



INSAT-3DR will provide a variety of meteorological services to the country. According to him, like its predecessor INSAT-3D, INSAT-3DR carries a data relay transponder as well as a search and rescue transponder.  “Thus, INSAT-3DR will provide service continuity to earlier meteorological missions of Isro and further augment the capability to provide various meteorological as well as search and rescue services,” he added.

The significant improvements incorporated in INSAT-3D compared to the earlier meteorological missions are part of INSAT-3DR and also include imaging in middle infrared band to provide night time pictures of low clouds and fog imaging and thermal infrared bands for estimation of Sea Surface Temperature with better accuracy, higher spatial resolution in the visible and thermal infrared bands.

GSLV-F05 flight is significant for Isro since it is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying CUS. GSLV-F05 vehicle is configured with all its three stages, including the CUS similar to the ones successfully flown during the previous GSLV-D5 and D6 missions in January 2014 and August 2015.