ISRO’S ‘NAUGHTY BOY’ ROCKET TO LAUNCH INDIA’S LATEST WEATHER SATELLITE TODAY

Why in the news?

The launch of ISRO’s weather satellite, INSAT-3DS, onboard the GSLV-F14 rocket.

Source: IE

About the mission associated with the GSLV’s:

  • GSLV-F14 to launch INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite, with a 10-year mission life, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
  • GSLV’s past reliability issues, with four out of 15 launches unsuccessful, make this launch crucial, especially for upcoming missions like NISAR.
What is GSLV?

●      GSLV: India’s largest launch vehicle.

●      Fourth-generation rocket with three stages.

●      First stage: 138-tonne solid rocket motor with 4 liquid strap-ons.

●      Second stage: Vikas engine.

●      Third stage: CE-7.5 cryogenic engine.

●      First flight: April 18, 2001.

●      Payload capacity: Up to 2500 kgs to GTO, or 5000 kgs to LEO.

NISAR:

●      NISAR: Joint project of US and Indian space agencies since 2014.

●      Scheduled launch: January 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

●      Orbit: Near-polar orbit, classified as Low Earth Orbit (LEO).