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The 29-hour countdown for the launch of ISRO’s advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on board GSLV-F05 commenced at 11.10 hours today, 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 September 7,” ISRO said.
The lift-off is scheduled to take place from the second launch pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota, about 110 km from here, ISRO said, adding, tomorrow’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 the Cryogenic Upper Stage.
Earlier with similar configurations, GSLV flights successfully launched the D5 and D6 missions in January 2014 and August 2015, putting the 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 a 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 July 26, 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 the Coast Guard, the Airport Authority of India, shipping and defence services.
The designed mission life of INSAT-3DR is 10 years.
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