BANGALORE: Fresh from the successful launch of the PSLV hurling into to space the country’s first Navigation Satellite, ISRO is preparing itself for another launch on July 25 when weather spacecraft Insat 3D would be orbitted by a heavy lift Ariane 5 launcher from Kourou in French Guyana.
ISRO sources told that Insat 3D’s initial pre launch checkout has been completed at the Spaceport and was now being readied for fueling.
The satellite would be orbited along with the European Alphasat telecommunications spacecraft. Insat-3D will provide enhanced meteorological observation and the monitoring of land/ocean surfaces with its six-channel imager and 19-channel sounder. Also installed on the spacecraft is a data relay transponder, along with a payload to assist in satellite-aided search and rescue operations.
Once fueled, Insat-3D will have an estimated lift off mass of 2,090 kg.
Pre-launch activities with Insat-3D in French Guiana have included a solar array test deployment, along with a fit-check on the adopter that will serve as the interface with Ariane 5. The satellite was transferred within the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation centre – moving from its previous location in the S5C large processing hall to the S5B hall, where the fueling will be carried out.
Arianespace’s upcoming mission with Insat-3D and Alphasat will be its third Ariane 5 liftoff at the Spaceport in 2013, and is designated VA214 to signify the 214th launch of an Ariane-series vehicle.
(AGENCIES)
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