ANS: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of GSLV-F14 carrying the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite. The launch is scheduled for tomorrow, (17th February), at 5:30 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
This mission marks the 16th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the 10th flight with the indigenous cryogenic stage. The GSLV-F14 aims to deploy the INSAT-3DS satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), from where it will be manoeuvred into a Geo-stationary Orbit for operational purposes.
The GSLV-F14 stands as a testament to India’s progress in space technology, with a liftoff mass of 420 tonnes and a length of 51.7 meters. The launch vehicle consists of a solid propellant first stage, earth-storable liquid propellant strapons, a second stage loaded with earth-storable propellant, and a cryogenic third stage with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant.
INSAT-3DS is a crucial mission for the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), fully funded by the government. The satellite’s primary objective is to enhance meteorological observations, monitor land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting, and provide disaster warning services.
It is designed to augment the services of the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites.
The mission will be instrumental in providing improved weather forecasts and meteorological services through various departments of the MoES, including the India Meteorology Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).