Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its 16th meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS, into space at 5:35 pm. Named “Naughty Boy,” the satellite aims to enhance weather forecasting accuracy and provide precise natural disaster warnings.
The launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, using the GSLV F14 rocket. This mission marks the 16th outing for the GSLV rocket, which seeks to deploy the INSAT-3DS satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, this endeavor signifies a significant advancement in India’s space exploration efforts.
Here is a glimpse of the successful launch by the great minds of ISRO from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Before today’s important launch of the INSAT-3DS weather satellite, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath went to the Sri Chengalamma Parameshwari temple in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. He was joined by other officials, and did a quick ritual and prayed for the mission to go well.
Somanath and a few officials did a short ceremony at the temple in Sullurpeta on Saturday morning. They offered flowers to the deity. Talking to reporters, Somanath said, “I came here today to ask for the blessings of Chengalamma Bhagavati for the success of this mission.”