ISRO commences 29hr-countdown for GSLV-F05 launch

Chennai, Sept 7 (PTI) The 29-hour countdown for thelaunch of ISRO’s advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on-boardGSLV-F05 commenced at 11.10 hours today, the space agencysaid. Earlier, the Mission Readiness Review committee andLaunch Authorisation Board cleared the countdown. "The 29 hr countdown operation of GSLV-F05/INSAT-3DRMission has started at 11.10 hrs on September 7," ISRO said. The lift-off is scheduled to take place from the secondlaunch pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota, about 110 km fromhere, ISRO said, adding, tomorrow’s launch is an advancedweather satellite that would provide a variety of"meteorological services to the country." GSLV-F05 is the flight in which the indigenouslydeveloped Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) will be carried on-boardfor the fourth time during a GSLV flight. GSLV-F05 is significant since it is the first operationalflight of GSLV carrying Cryogenic Upper Stage. Earlier with similar configurations, GSLV flightsuccessfully launched D5 and D6 missions in January 2014 andAugust 2015, putting GSAT-14 and GSAT-6 satellites in theintended GTOs ‘very accurately’. After reaching the Geostationary Transfer Orbit, the2,211kg satellite INSAT-3DR would use its own propulsionsystem to reach the final destination — geosynchronousorbital home. It is scheduled to be stationed at 74 degreeeast longitude, ISRO said. After INSAT-3DR reaches the intended GTO, the solarpanels of the satellite will be deployed immediately. ISRO’s Master Control Facility at Hassan, Karnataka willtake control of the satellite and perform the initial orbitraising manoeuvres and place it in circular GeostationaryOrbit. The entire process is expected to take place in 17minutes from the launch. The previous advanced weather satellite INSAT-3D launchtook place on July 26, 2013 from French Guiana. Besides offering a host of services, INSAT-3DR would jointhe operational Search and Rescue service provided by INSAT-3Dto various users, including Coast Guard, Airport Authority ofIndia, Shipping and Defense Services. The designed mission life of INSAT-3DR is 10 years. PTIVIJ BNDV