ISRO Weather Satellite launch; Countdown begins
The 29 hours countdown for the launch of India’s ISRO weather satellite INSAT-3DR is progressing swiftly.
An official from ISRO (Indian space research organization) said: “The countdown which began at 11.10 a.m. is underway. It is progressing smoothly”.
GSLV (geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle) will put the 2,211 kg INSAT-3DR, an advanced weather satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit after blasting off from the second launch pad at India’s rocket port at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday at 4.10 p.m.
The satellite will then be directed into its final geosynchronous orbit. It will supplement the meteorological and data relay services of its predecessor INSAT-3D, which is in operation since July 26, 2013.
According to reports, ISRO will launch ScatSat — a weather monitoring and forecasting satellite — with polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) at the end of the month.
Both the satellites will be put into different orbits.
It was supposed to be launched on Aug 28 but this was postponed owing to a technical issue with one of its components.
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