INSAT 3D

Spacecraft nº:

Indian spacecraft nº: 70

Launch data: Designation  39216 / 13038B Launch date  25 July 2013 - 19:54 UT Launch site  Ko, ELA-3 Launch vehicle  Ariane-5 ECA (VA214) Mission  Meteorology Geostationary orbit: Perigee / Apogee  35792 x 35798 km Eccentricity   Inclination  0.1 deg Period  1436.2 min

Spacecraft data: Prime manufacturer  ISRO Platform  Insat-2/3 Bus Operator  Insat Mass at launch  2090 kg Dry Mass  935 kg Basic shape   Dimension (m)   Equipment  19-channel sounder, a 6-channel imager, DRT & SAR payload Solar array  1 Deployable solar array Stabilization   Propulsion   DC power   Design lifetime

Description:

• Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA214, to launch the Alphasat XL and INSAT 3D satellites.
• INSAT 3D is an advanced indian meteorological satellite launched aboard the Ariane 5 ECA weighting 2,120 kilograms at launch and is designed to operate for seven years from 82 degrees east in geostationary orbit. The satellite carries a six-channel imager and a 19-channel sounder instrument, with the latter designed to take vertical profiles of atmospheric humidity, temperature and ozone levels. Insat 3D also carries a search-and-rescue transponder to relay distress signals from maritime, aeronautical and terrestrial beacons to alert rescue centers. Alphasat rode in Ariane 5's upper payload position, and INSAT-3D in the lower portion of the payload "stack."

Mission details:

• Ariane vehicle 569, on flight VA214, placed the Alphasat and Insat 3D satellites in a 224 x 35827 km x 3.5 deg geostationary transfer orbit on Jul 25, 2013.
• Insat 3D carries a meteorological payload for the Indian Space Research Organization. In addition to a 6-channel imager and a 19-channel sounder, the satellite has a data relay system for Earth-based meteo stations and a Satellite Aided Search and Rescue transponder. On Jul 27, 2013 Insat 3D raised its orbit to 15780 x 35800 km x 0.7 deg, and on Jul 28 it reached 31800 x 35795 km x 0.02 deg, although US tracking seems to have missed these orbit manuevers.

Satellite tracking: