INSAT-3D, built by India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), arrived in French Guiana aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner, and was transported from Félix Eboué Airport near Cayenne to the Spaceport’s payload preparation facilities.

The meteorological satellite will carry weather forecasting payloads, along with a search and rescue relay system. It is to have a mass at liftoff of approximately 2,100 kg. and offer 1,100W of power.

INSAT-3D will be orbited along with its co-passenger, the Astrium-built Alphasat satellite, on another of Ariane 5’s trademark dual-payload missions. Alphasat will be operated under an agreement between the European Space Agency (ESA) and European commercial satellite operator Inmarsat, and will provide additional L-band capacity for coverage of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The two photos above show INSAT-3D being removed from its shipping container during activity conducted inside the S5C hall of the Spaceport’s S5 facility.
Photo courtesy of Arianespace.

Designated Flight VA214 in Arianespace’s numbering system, this upcoming mission represents the 214th launch of an Ariane family vehicle and will be the 70th flight of the heavy-lift Ariane 5.