ISRO on Thursday successfully launched its advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on-board GSLV-F05 from the second launch pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota, about 110 km from Chennai.
"It's a hat-trick of GSLV's successful launch. GSLV is ISRO's naughty boy who has become an adorable boy now," said an ISRO scientist after the INSAT-3DR's launch on Thursday.
The advanced weather satellite would provide a variety “meteorological services to the country.
Earlier on the day, the launch was postponed by 40 minutes.
The previous advanced weather satellite INSAT-3D launch took place on July 26, 2013 from French Guiana.
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.
The designed mission life of INSAT-3DR is 10 years.
#WATCH ISRO launches GSLV-F05 carrying advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR from the spaceport of Sriharikota. pic.twitter.com/YeCi2S20tu
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 8, 2016
GSLV-F05 is significant since it is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying Cryogenic Upper Stage.
Earlier with similar configurations, GSLV flight successfully launched D5 and D6 missions in January 2014 and August 2015, putting GSAT-14 and GSAT-6 satellites in the intended GTOs ‘very accurately’.
Well done ISRO Team ; another landmark in our space programme as GSLV-F05 carrying INSAT-3DR successfully launched #PresidentMukherjee
— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) September 8, 2016
This is the first operational flight of GSLV carrying indigenously developed CUS --- Congratulations ISRO Team ! #PresidentMukherjee
— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) September 8, 2016