Isro's ambitious weather satellite GSLV-F05 launch: Space agency begins 29-hour countdown

Chennai: The 29-hour countdown for the launch of Isro’s advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on-board GSLV-F05 commenced at 11.10 hours on Wednesday, the space agency said. Earlier, the Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board cleared the countdown. “The 29 hr countdown operation of GSLV-F05/INSAT-3DR Mission has started at 11.10 hrs on 7 September,” Isro said. The lift-off is scheduled to take place from the second launch pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota, about 110-km from Chennai, Isro said, adding, Thursday’s launch is an advanced weather satellite that would 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 is significant since it is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying Cryogenic Upper Stage. [caption id=“attachment_2994514” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] The fully integrated GSLV-F05 carrying INSAT-3DR approaching the second launch pad. Photo credit: Isro[/caption] Earlier with similar configurations, GSLV flight successfully launched D5 and D6 missions in January 2014 and August 2015, putting GSAT-14 and GSAT-6 satellites in the intended GTOs ‘very accurately’. After reaching the Geostationary Transfer Orbit, the 2,211kg satellite INSAT-3DR would use its own propulsion system to reach the final destination – geosynchronous orbital home. It is scheduled to be stationed at 74 degree east longitude, Isro said. After INSAT-3DR reaches the intended 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. The previous advanced weather satellite INSAT-3D launch took place on 26 July, 2013 from French Guiana. Besides offering a host of services, 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 and Defense Services. The designed mission life of INSAT-3DR is 10 years.