INSAT-3D Satellite Placed Successfully in Geosynchronous Orbit

INSAT-3D, the advanced weather satellite of India, which was launched on 26 July 2013 from Kourou, French Guyana, was successfully placed in Geosynchronous orbit after three orbit raising manoeuvres commanded from ISRO`s Master Control Facility at Hassan.

The Orbital parameters of INSAT-3D are as follows:

• Apogee (farthest point to Earth) – 35799 km
• Perigee (nearest point to Earth) – 35469 km
• Inclination (of the orbit with respect to the equator)- 0.23 deg
• Orbital period – 23 hr 48 min

It is important to note that INSAT-3D had shown irregular behaviour after the deployment of its solar panel, but Mission Operations Team of ISRO immediately brought it into normalcy using the prescribed contingency procedures. Mission Operations Team of ISRO, then, resumed the orbit-raising operations.

At present, INSAT-3D is moving towards its final geostationary orbital location of 82 degree East longitude. On 6 August 2013, INSAT-3D will reach its final destination.  Thereafter, the two meteorological payloads (Imaging System and Atmospheric Sounder) and two Transponders (designed for the Meteorological Data Relay and Satellite-aided Search and Rescue system) will be activated by 8 August 2013.

French Guiana is an overseas region of France on the north Atlantic coast of South America.

INSAT-3D, the Advanced Meteorological Satellite of India Launched Successfully