Detect hurricanes; Weather observation satellite INSAT-3DS launched successfully

SRIHARIKOTTA: India's weather observation satellite INSAT-3DS successfully launched. INSAT 3DS, the third generation weather satellite, will help accurately detect, monitor and forecast cyclones that wreak havoc from Burma to Gulf countries.

After completing a 27.5-hour countdown, the G 2,274 kg satellite lifted off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 5.35 am. ISRO Chairman S Somnath declared the mission a success. INSAT-3DS is the successor to INSAT-3D (2014) and INSAT 3DR (2016). The entire cost is borne by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

This is the 16th launch of GSLV. The cost of manufacturing and launching the 2,274 kg satellite is Rs 480 crore. Apart from India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives and Gulf countries will also benefit from the satellite. It will also benefit shipping from Africa to the Chinese border.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: ISRO launched INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite onboard a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV-F14), from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

(Source: ISRO) pic.twitter.com/abjPVJWkxh

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2024

When India started launching INSAT weather satellites from 2003, the extent of destruction caused by cyclones has been reduced. Since then, the loss of lives has been reduced to less than 100. So far seven INSAT satellites have been launched. INSAT 3DS is the most powerful and advanced one.

Find the vortex

INSAT 3DS is unique in that it can detect cyclones as they form. ISRO says it will have international standard accuracy. It can accurately measure and evaluate the energy rays rising from the land and sea to the clouds. Insat 3DS has four devices such as imager, sounder, data relay transponder, search and rescue transponder, etc. that help to detect cyclones and reduce the damage caused by them. Using the multi-spectral imager, six types of energy rays with different wavelengths can be detected. It detects the different layers of vapor by the slight difference in color. The sounder on INSAT 3DS will also be used to detect the presence of cyclones through sound variations over the ocean.