ISRO has succeeded in launching weather satellite INSAT-3DS. Its weight is said to be 2274 kg. Within 19 minutes and 13 seconds of launch, it reached Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) i.e. Earth’s upper orbit at an altitude of 37000 kilometers. This satellite will provide information to many departments under the Ministry of Earth Sciences such as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Indian National Ocean Information Services Centre.
Along with INSAT-3DS, Indian Space Research Center has sent Imager Payload, Sounder Payload, Data Relay Transponder and Satellite Aided Search and Rescue Transponder. Through all these, the concerned departments will continue to get information about fog, clouds, rain, snow, fire, smoke etc. The length of the rocket carrying the satellite is 51.7 meters. Earlier, ISRO had successfully launched the PSLV-C58/ExpoSat mission on January 1.
Talking about INSAT satellite series launch, before this INSAT-3DR satellite was launched which was launched on 8 September 2016. INSAT series satellites have been built by ISRO to meet the needs of the country for communication, telecast, meteorology, and search and rescue missions. So far 6 satellites of the series have been launched. Geo stationary satellites were launched in 1983. This satellite system is monitored and controlled from Hassan in Karnataka and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.