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). |