Bengaluru: INSAT-3DS, Indian Space Research Organisation’s latest meteorological satellite, has been sent off to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota for its upcoming launch via the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F14).

This satellite, commissioned by the Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), was developed at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru.

INSAT-3DS, is an exclusive meteorological satellite realized by ISRO with the primary objective to provide continuity of services to the existing in-orbit INSAT-3D and 3DR satellites and significantly enhancing the capabilities of INSAT system, ISRO said.

The Satellite had successfully completed Satellite Assembly, Integration & Testing activities at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru.

Pre-Shipment Review (PSR) was held with the participation of members from the user community on January 25, 2024.

The satellite is a user funded project with Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), configured around ISRO's well proven I-2k bus platform with a Lift-Off Mass of 2275 kg.

Indian Industries have significantly contributed in the making of the Satellite.

The satellite is designed for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning, with state-of-the-art payloads—6 channel Imager & 19 channel Sounder meteorology payloads, communication payloads—The Data Relay Transponder (DRT) and Satellite aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) transponder.

The Data relay transponder (DRT) instrument, receives meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic data from automatic Data Collection Platforms / Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and augments the weather forecasting capabilities.

Satellite aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) transponder is incorporated in the satellite to relay a distress signal / alert detection from the beacon transmitters for search and rescue services with global receive coverage.

The INSAT-3DS mission is a joint effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the India Meteorological Department.

This is an integral part of a series of climate observatory satellites designed to augment climate services.

The series includes three specialised Earth observation satellites, with INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR already positioned in orbit.

According to senior ISRO, the GSLV-F14 is set to launch in the initial week of February.