Isro to launch advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on Thursday

Chennai: Isro is all set to launch the GSLV-F05 carrying advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR from the spaceport of Sriharikota, about 110 km from Chennai, on 8 September. “GSLV-F05/INSAT 3DR mission is scheduled to be launched on September 8 at 1610 hours from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota”, Indian Space Research Organisation said on its website. [caption id=“attachment_2918450” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AP[/caption] The previous launch by Isro on Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was launch of GSLV-D6 carrying communication satellite GSAT-6 on 27 August, 2015. GSLV-F05 in its 10th flight would launch the 2,211 kg advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). INSAT-3DR will provide a variety of meteorological services to the country. GSLV-F05 is the flight in which the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) will be carried on-board for the fourth time during a GSLV flight. GSLV-F05 flight is significant since it is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying CUS, the website said, adding it would be launched from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. GSLV-F05 is configured with three stages, including CUS similar to earlier launches GSLV-D5 and D6 which placed GSAT-14 (January 2014) and GSAT-6 successfully in August 2015, it said. After reaching the GTO, the solar panels of the satellite will be deployed immediately. Isro’s Master Control Facility at Hassan, Karnataka will take control of the satellite and perform the initial orbit-raising manoeuvres and place it in circular Geostationary Orbit. The entire process is expected to take place in 17 minutes from the launch. Isro had launched advanced weather satellite INSAT - 3D on 26 July, 2013 from French Guiana. INSAT 3DR would join the operational Search and Rescue service provided by INSAT 3D to various users, including Coast Guard, Airport Authority of India, Shipping, Defence Services. The designed mission life of INSAT-3DR is 10 years.