NEWS – Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a new-generation meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS

INSAT-3DS MISSION

• Launched aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV F14)
• Date and Time: The satellite INSAT-3DS that will be aboard spacecraft GSLV F14 during launch today, February 17, will take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota at 5:35pm
• GSLV-F14 is the 16th flight of the GSLV, and the 10th flight with the indigenous cryo stage
• Designed to enhance meteorological observations, aid in weather forecasting, and improve disaster warning capabilities
• Fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• FOUR PAYLOADS
  • Imager Payload – Multi-spectral Imager capable of generating Earth images in six wavelength bands
  • Sounder Payload: 19-channel Sounder payload, offering data on atmospheric vertical profiles like temperature and humidity
  • Data Relay Transponder (DRT): Receives global meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic data from automatic weather stations and data collection platforms, relaying it back to user terminals.
  • Satellite aided Search and Rescue (SA&SR) Transponder: Relays distress signals for global search and rescue operations, covering the Ultra high frequency band
• GSLV-F14
  • Three-stage launch vehicle.
  • The first stage (GS1) has a solid propellant motor and four earth-storable propellant stages(EPS).
  • EPS includes a supporting structure, propellant tanks, and an engine.
  • The second stage (GS2) is also an earth-storable propellant stage
  • The third stage (GS3) is a cryogenic stage, with propellant loading of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2).
  • Former chairman of the ISRO termed GSLV F14 as “naughty boy” as it has been known to run into problems often. It holds a failure rate of 40 per cent as out of its total 15 space missions so far, GSLV F14 has faced problems in 6 of them