The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) triumphantly launched the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite early Saturday. The meticulously orchestrated mission unfolded at 7:05 a.m. Eastern on February 17, igniting excitement and marking another milestone in India’s space odyssey.
The launch was facilitated by the towering 51.7-meter-long Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), operating in its three-stage configuration. From the renowned Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the GSLV roared into the skies, symbolizing India’s steadfast commitment to advancing its space capabilities.
Approximately 19 minutes after liftoff, the INSAT-3DS satellite gracefully separated from its celestial chariot, heralding the commencement of its transformative journey. Positioned in a geosynchronous transfer orbit, the satellite is poised to ascend to its designated abode in the geostationary belt, stationed at 74 degrees East and 35,786 kilometers above the equator.
Mr. S Somanath, the esteemed chairman of ISRO, exuded pride as he announced the flawless execution of the mission, hailing it as a significant triumph for India’s space prowess. “The spacecraft has been injected into a very good orbit,” remarked Somanath, lauding the collective effort of the dedicated teams involved in the mission’s realization.
Echoing the sentiments of achievement, Mr. Tomy Joseph, the mission director, celebrated the GSLV rocket’s newfound reliability, humorously christened as the “Naughty Boy.” This moniker, alluding to past setbacks, now embodies the rocket’s remarkable transformation into a disciplined and dependable vehicle for India’s space aspirations.
INSAT-3DS, the latest addition to the esteemed INSAT series, carries a payload of paramount importance, including a multispectral imager, a sounder payload, Data Relay Transponder (DRT), and Satellite Aided Search & Rescue transponder (SAS&R). Funded by India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the satellite is poised to revolutionize meteorological observations and bolster disaster management capabilities.
With a mission lifespan extending until at least 2030, INSAT-3DS is primed to unlock new frontiers in environmental monitoring, weather forecasting, and emergency response. Its comprehensive suite of capabilities encompasses the monitoring of Earth’s surface and oceans, the provision of atmospheric profiles, data relay services, and vital search and rescue functionalities.
This remarkable achievement marks India’s second launch of 2024, following the successful deployment of the XPoSat X-ray astronomy satellite earlier in January. With an ambitious roadmap ahead, India aims to conduct a record 30 launches over a 15-month period, underscoring its burgeoning stature in the global space arena.
Looking ahead, ISRO is poised to undertake pivotal missions, including test flights for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and the launch of the European Space Agency’s Proba 3 spacecraft. As India continues its trajectory of innovation and exploration, it reaffirms its commitment to sustainable space exploration, exemplified by the responsible deorbiting of the Cartosat-2 satellite earlier this month.
