The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by launching the INSAT-3DS mission into space using the GSLV-MkII rocket. This mission, lasting 10 years, aims to enhance India’s capabilities in environmental monitoring, oceanic observations, weather forecasting, and disaster relief efforts. The launch occurred at 5:35 pm IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The rocket propelled the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit, eventually settling into a geostationary orbit approximately 35,000 kilometers above the Earth’s equator. This marks ISRO’s second successful launch of the year, following the XPoSat mission on January 1, 2024.
ISRO Chief S. Somnath expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I am pleased to announce the successful completion of the GSLV-F14 INSAT-3DS mission. The satellite has been placed in a favorable orbit, and the vehicle performed admirably.”
What Is INSAT-3DS?
The INSAT-3DS is India’s newest meteorological satellite, designed with advanced technology. It joins the lineup of third-generation satellites orbiting the Earth. Before it, INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR paved the way, greatly improving weather monitoring and analysis. INSAT-3DR has been operational since September 2016, contributing significantly to these efforts.
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What Can INSAT-3DS Offer?
The satellite is equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring a sophisticated multi-spectral imager capable of capturing detailed images of the Earth and its surroundings using various wavelengths of light. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of different aspects of the environment.
Additionally, the satellite boasts a robust sounder payload with an impressive array of 19 channels, including both visible and narrow spectral channels. This payload is specifically designed to gather essential information about the atmosphere’s vertical profiles, providing insights into critical factors such as temperature and humidity.
Moreover, the satellite is furnished with a Data Relay Transponder (DRT) that serves a pivotal role in collecting meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic data from automatic data collection platforms and weather stations spread across the globe. The DRT acts as a conduit, relaying this invaluable information back to user terminals, ensuring seamless and efficient dissemination of global data.
Furthermore, a Satellite-aided Search and Rescue (SA&SR) transponder has been integrated into the spacecraft, enhancing its capabilities significantly. This transponder is specifically designed to detect distress signals and alert transmissions from beacon transmitters, thereby bolstering search and rescue operations on a global scale.
With coverage extending across the UHF band, this feature ensures that distress signals can be detected and responded to swiftly and effectively, potentially saving lives in emergency situations.
INSAT-3DS Satellite’s Impact and Success
The satellite’s main goals are crucial for keeping an eye on the environment and ensuring safety. It can watch over the Earth’s surface and oceans using different tools to help understand the weather.
The INSAT-3DS satellite weighs 2274 kilograms and has special equipment to give more accurate and timely weather information.
This upgrade in weather services will be a big help to agriculture, aviation, and disaster management, making it easier to deal with weather problems.
It will collect details about the atmosphere like temperature and humidity, which are important for predicting the weather.
The satellite will help gather and share data, making it easier and more efficient to collect information. It will also assist in search and rescue operations during emergencies.
The GSLV-MkII rocket, which launched the satellite, has done 15 missions since 2001, with 11 successes. The GSLV-F14 was its 16th mission.
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INSAT-3DS FAQs
Q.1. What is INSAT-3DS?
Ans. INSAT-3DS is India’s newest meteorological satellite, aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring, weather forecasting, and disaster relief efforts.
Q.2. How does INSAT-3DS contribute to weather forecasting?
Ans. INSAT-3DS provides detailed atmospheric data, including temperature and humidity profiles, crucial for accurate weather predictions.
Q.3. What advanced technology does INSAT-3DS feature?
Ans. INSAT-3DS is equipped with a sophisticated multi-spectral imager and a sounder payload, offering comprehensive environmental insights.
Q.4. How does INSAT-3DS aid in search and rescue operations?
Ans. INSAT-3DS integrates a Satellite-aided Search and Rescue (SA&SR) transponder, detecting distress signals and aiding in swift emergency response globally.
Q.5. What is the significance of INSAT-3DS in global data dissemination?
Ans. INSAT-3DS facilitates seamless data collection and dissemination worldwide, enhancing environmental monitoring, disaster management, and safety measures.
