ISRO INSAT-3DS Satellite Launch Today: How to Watch it Live? What are the Mission Objectives?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is currently in the final stages of preparation for the launch of the AT-3DS meteorological satellite, a critical addition to India's space-based meteorological observation capabilities.

The launch is set to take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in ISRO's 2024 mission agenda.

INSAT-3DS Countdown and Launch Details

The 27.5-hour countdown for the mission began at 02.30 pm on Friday, leading up to the scheduled launch time of 05.35 pm today. The ISRO has invited citizens to watch the launch live from the Launch View Gallery (LVG), SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.

For Indians unable to watch the launch live, the livestream will be available on the official website, YouTube channel, and Facebook account. Indian can also catch the launch live on the Doordarshan National TV channel. We've also embedded the launch livestream below.

The satellite will be launched onboard a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket from the center's second launch pad. This mission follows the successful deployment of PSLV-C58/EXPOSAT on January 1, making it ISRO's second major launch in 2024.

Mission Objectives and Satellite Capabilities

The primary goal of the INSAT-3DS mission is to ensure the continuity and enhancement of meteorological observations and services provided by its predecessors, INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR.

The satellite, weighing 2,274 kgs, will be placed into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit after separating from the GSLV rocket approximately 20 minutes post-launch. Subsequent maneuvers will position it into a Geo-stationary orbit in the days following the launch.

Equipped with imager payloads, sounder payloads, data relay transponders, and Satellite-aided Search and Rescue transponders, INSAT-3DS is designed to study a wide array of atmospheric and surface phenomena.

These include cloud properties, fog, rainfall, snow cover, snow depth, wildfires, smoke, as well as land and ocean surface conditions. The satellite's mission life is anticipated to be around 10 years.

Beneficiaries of the Mission

The data provided by the INSAT-3DS will be instrumental for various departments under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, including the India Meteorological Department, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, National Institute of Ocean Technology, and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services.

These agencies and institutions are poised to leverage the satellite's data to deliver improved weather forecasting and meteorological services across India. As the countdown progresses smoothly, the anticipation for the successful launch of INSAT-3DS builds, underscoring ISRO's commitment to advancing India's capabilities in space-based meteorological observation and support.