The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the imminent launch of the INSAT-3DS satellite aboard the GSLV-F14 rocket. This mission, financed entirely by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), represents a significant leap forward in India's meteorological prowess. Scheduled to lift off on Saturday at 17:30 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, INSAT-3DS will join India's third-generation meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit.

Utilizing the reliable GSLV-F14, ISRO aims to place the satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), subsequently maneuvering it into a Geo-stationary Orbit.

INSAT-3DS, designed to revolutionize meteorological observations and monitor Earth's land and ocean surfaces, aims to bolster weather forecasting and disaster management systems. By collaborating with operational satellites like INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR, it enhances existing meteorological services, showcasing India's burgeoning self-sufficiency in space technology.

The satellite's objectives encompass a broad spectrum of environmental monitoring and safety initiatives. Equipped with numerous spectral channels crucial for meteorological analysis, it conducts crucial observations of the planet's surface and oceans. Additionally, INSAT-3DS provides vertical profiles of atmospheric parameters such as temperature and humidity, pivotal for accurate weather predictions. Its data collection and dissemination capabilities will benefit Data Collection Platforms (DCPs), enhancing information gathering efficiency. Furthermore, the satellite will support emergency response efforts through Satellite Aided Search and Rescue services.

Several departments under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, including the India Meteorology Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), stand to gain valuable data from INSAT-3DS. With anticipated improvements in weather forecasts and meteorological services, these agencies eagerly anticipate harnessing the advanced capabilities of ISRO's INSAT-3DS satellite.