Indian Space Research Organisation’s GSLV-F05 rocket, carrying the INSAT-3DR advanced weather satellite, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 4.50 p.m. on Thursday and was successfully put in orbit.
The rocket, with the indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage as its fourth stage placed the satellite, weighing 2,211-kg, in the Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
Earlier, it was scheduled to lift off by 4.10 PM but it was rescheduled to 4.50 pm due to “delay in cryostage filling operations”.
On being placed in the intended orbit, INSAT-3DR would use its own propulsion system to reach its final geosynchronous orbital home and be stationed at 74 deg East longitude, ISRO said.
Why is this launch significant?
GSLV-F05 flight is significant since it is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying the Cryogenic Upper Stage.
- The satellite is expected to provide a variety of meteorological services to the country.
- Besides offering a host of services, INSAT-3DR would join the operational Search and Rescue service provided by INSAT-3D to various users, including Coast Guard, Airport Authority of India, Shipping and Defense Services.
GSLV-F05 is configured with three stages, including CUS similar to earlier launches GSLV-D5 and D6 which placed GSAT-14 (January 2014) and GSAT-6 successfully in August 2015, IRSO said.
After reaching the GTO, the solar panels of the satellite will be deployed immediately.
(With PTI inputs)