ISRO announced on Saturday that its meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS is set for launch onboard GSLV F14 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota.
The satellite underwent satellite assembly, integration, and testing activities at U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru.
A user-funded project with the Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), the satellite is configured around ISRO's I-2k bus platform and has a lift-off mass of 2275 kg. Indian industries played a significant role in the satellite's development.
Sources indicate that the space agency is targeting a launch in mid-February.
ISRO reportedly said, "INSAT-3DS, is an exclusive meteorological satellite realised by ISRO with the primary objective to provide continuity of services to the existing in-orbit INSAT-3D and 3DR satellites and significantly enhancing the capabilities of the INSAT system."
It was flagged off to SDSC-SHAR launch port in Andhra Pradesh on January 25, it said, adding that Pre-Shipment Review (PSR) was also held with the participation of members from the user community.
According to ISRO, the satellite is designed for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning, with state-of-the-art payloads: 6 channel Imager & 19 channel Sounder meteorology payloads, communication payloads viz., The Data Relay Transponder (DRT) and Satellite aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) transponder.
The DRT instrument has weather forecasting capabilities by collecting meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic data from Automatic Data Collection Platforms (ADCP) or Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).
SAS&R transponder is incorporated in the satellite to relay a distress signal or alert detection from the beacon transmitters for search and rescue services with global receive coverage.
