ISRO’s INSAT- 3DS satellite launch today: Check time, where to watch and other key details

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is going to launch its meteorological satellite named INSAT- -3DS aboard spacecraft GSLV F14, today, February 17. The INSAT-3DS spacecraft has been scheduled to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC- SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh at 5:35 pm.

Sharing details on the INSAT-3DS satellite on X, ISRO posted a thread of updates with pictures. It wrote, “GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission: 27.5 hours’ countdown leading to the launch on February 17, 2024, at 17:35 Hrs. IST has commenced.”

Separately, ISRO Chairman S Somanath was spotted offering prayers at the Sri Chengalamma Temple in Sullurpet ahead of the launch. Talking to ANI, Somnath said, “We have the launch of GSLV rocket carrying a meteorological satellite-INSAT-3DS for weather climate studies today. This satellite is built for the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is the third satellite in the INSAT series of satellites.”

As per the details shared by ISRO, the satellite primarily aims to enhance weather forecasting and disaster warning capabilities. It will be monitoring the oceanic observations and its environment in various channels. The satellite will also be providing the vertical profile of various meteorological parameters of the atmosphere.

This marks the 16th space mission for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) which has the objective to deploy the INSAT- 3DS satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

While the INSAT-3DS launch is extremely significant for India's weather agencies, its carrier GSLV F14 has a record of running into problems previously, and it has a failure rate of around 40%. Out of its total 15 space missions to date, GSLV F14 has faced problems in six of them. The last mission by this spacecraft was held in May 2023, which was marked to be a success. Given the record, the former chairman of ISRO has dubbed the spacecraft as the “naughty boy” of India's premier space agency.

The INSAT-3DS launch taking place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC- SHAR) in Sriharikota will be aired live on ISRO’s social media platforms. Apart from that, viewers can also watch the live launch broadcast at 5:30 pm on DD National’s social media and YouTube channel.