All plans and preparations are in full swing in ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) for the launch of geostationary weather satellite INSAT-3DR by the end of August month, a top official of the agency told media. Most probably the launch is for tomorrow August 28. The launch will be at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. A GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) Mark II will carry this special geostationary weather satellite INSAT-3DR. As a matter of fact, GSLV rocket will put INSAT-3DRinto orbit. This has been informed by P. Kunhi Krishnan, Director of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).
Photo credit: NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC
In fact, a senior official of the Indian Space Research Organization confirms the INSAT-3DR satellite is yet to arrive at the rocket port at Sriharikota. Though as a regular practice the satellites need to reach the respective rocket port well in time. Usually, this happens around a couple before the launch date. But in this case, the launch plan is for August 28 but the satellite is still to arrive. If you remember the launch of INSAT-3D was quite successful. INSAT-3DR is a satellite-aided search and rescue satellite. This successful launch was from French Guiana in 2013. As a matter of fact, ISRO has a credit of successful launch of 20 satellites. It includes its earth observation Cartosat-2 series PSLV-C34 from the spaceport of Sriharikota last month.
INSAT-3DR
A S Kirin Kumar, Chairman, ISRO says the space agency is increasing the number of rocket launches from its present capacity of eight to 12 every year. As there is a delay in INSAT-3DR rocket reaching the launch pad or rocket port, there is a probable revision in the launch. The new date of launch is now September 8. The delay is because of a technical issue while carrying out the tests. In fact, the technical issue is with a satellite component. Although the issue is overcome but the date had to revise in this course of action.
On the other hand, the GSLV rocket carrying the weather satellite INSAT-3DR is ready in all aspects. The mounting will take place in next three to four days. In addition to this, there is another plan for the launch of another satellite by the end of September. It is the launch of ScatSat a weather monitoring and forecasting satellite. It will happen with polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV). In fact, the satellite will be a co-passenger to an Algerian satellite. Moreover, both the satellites will travel in different orbits. Therefore, after ejecting ScanSat, the fourth engine of the rocket will switch off. And after half an hour, the engine will switch on again to put the Algerian satellite into its orbit.
