Satnews Daily
September 8th, 2016

India Prods INSAT-3DR To GTO


On September 8th, the tenth flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle — GSLV —  launched the country's advanced weather satellite, INSAT-3DR.

The satellite weighed in at 2,211 kg. The GSLV launch vehicle is designed to inject a 2 to 2.5 ton class of satellites into GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit). The launch occurred from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Center SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota.


The GSLV-F05 launch vehicle being transported from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad.

Photo is courtesy of ISRO.

GSLV-F05 flight is significant as this is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying a Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), which was developed in India. The GSLV-F05 vehicle is configured with three stages, including the CUS similar to the ones that have been successfully flown during previous GSLV-D5 and D6 missions that occurred in January of 2014 and August of 2015. GSLV-D5 and D6 accurately placed the GSAT-14 and GSAT-6 satellites to their intended GTO slots.


Artistic rendition of India's INSAT-3DR satellite on orbit.

Image is courtesy of ISRO.

INSAT-3DR is configured with an imaging system and an Atmospheric Sounder and is based on ISRO's two ton class platform known as the I-2k bus and employs light-weight structural elements, such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). Additionally, 1700 Watts of power are generated by the satellite's solar array.

There are a number of significant improvements incorporated into INSAT-3D...

 

  • Imaging in middle infrared band to provide nighttime images of low clouds and fog
  • Imaging in two thermal Infrared bands for Sea Surface Temperature (SST) estimations with better accuracy
  • Higher spatial resolution in the visible and thermal Infrared bands

 

Also carried aboard INSAT-3DR is a data relay transponders as well as a search rescue transponder, enabling the satellite to provide service continuity to India's earlier meteorological missions and to augment the various meteorological and search and rescue services available through the nation.

www.isro.gov.in/