Chennai, Mar 11 (UNI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday announced that INSAT-3DS, the meteorological satellite, has initiated Earth imaging operations.
The first set of images by the meteorological payloads (6-channel Imager and 19-channel Sounder) was captured on March 7, 2024.
In a post on X, ISRO said “INSAT-3DS Mission: First glimpse of the beauty and complexity of Earth through modern Imager and Sounder payloads onboard INSAT-3DS.
“This data serves as crucial input for Indian scientists for mereological studies, weather forecasts, and understanding atmospheric dynamics”, it said sharing a number of pictures captured by the satellite.
The satellite was launched on February 17 from the spaceport of Sriharikota. India’s heavy rocket GeoSynchronous Launch Vehicle GSLV-F14 successfully injected ther 2,274 kg INSAT-3DS, a meteorological and disaster warning satellite into the desired orbit.
After completing orbit-raising operations, the satellite reached the designated geostationary slot for the In Orbit Testing (IOT) on February 28.
IOT of the Satellite Communications was conducted between February 29 and March 3, 2024.
As part of Meteorological Payload IOT, the first session of imaging for Imager and Sounder payloads was carried out on March 7, 2024.
The payload parameters are found to be nominal, complying with payload specifications.
“Thus, all the payloads of INSAT-3DS have been tested to perform nominally”, ISRO said.
