India's Weather Satellites (2023)

India has two operational meteorological satellites

INSAT-3D and 

INSAT-3DR.

INSAT: Indian National Satellite. 

Earlier satellites, INSAT-3A and Kalpana-1 had been decommissioned and discontinued since September 2016 and September 2017 respectively.

These satellites are used to monitor weather conditions over India and the surrounding region. They provide data on cloud cover, rainfall, temperature, and other meteorological parameters. This data is used to issue weather forecasts, warnings, and advisories.

INSAT-3D was launched in 2013 and INSAT-3DR was launched in 2016. Both satellites are in geostationary orbit, meaning that they appear to be stationary from the ground. This makes them ideal for monitoring weather conditions.

Difference between INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR

INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR are two different satellites launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as part of the INSAT series. While they share similarities in their purpose of meteorological observations, they have some distinctions in their capabilities and payloads.

INSAT-3D:

•  INSAT-3D was launched on July 26, 2013.

•  It is equipped with payloads such as the Very High-Resolution Radiometer (VHRR) and a 19-channel sounder (SOUNDER).

•  The VHRR captures images of Earth's surface and cloud cover in multiple spectral bands, providing high-resolution meteorological imagery.

•  The SOUNDER observes various atmospheric parameters like temperature and humidity at different altitudes in the Earth's atmosphere.

•  INSAT-3D was primarily designed to enhance weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities over the Indian region and surrounding areas.

INSAT-3DR:

• INSAT-3DR was launched on September 8, 2016.

• Similar to INSAT-3D, INSAT-3DR also carries payloads like the VHRR and a SOUNDER, providing advanced meteorological data.

•  Additionally, INSAT-3DR includes a Data Relay Transponder (DRT), which allows the satellite to relay meteorological data in real-time to ground stations for more immediate use in weather forecasting, disaster management, and related applications.

•  The inclusion of the Data Relay Transponder enhances the capability of timely data dissemination for weather-related purposes.

Both INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR are part of India's efforts to improve weather monitoring, climate studies, and disaster management by providing crucial meteorological data. The inclusion of various payloads allows these satellites to gather information on atmospheric conditions, cloud cover, temperature, humidity, and other essential parameters for accurate weather forecasting and related applications.

These satellites contribute significantly to India's capabilities in weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and monitoring climate patterns over the Indian subcontinent and neighboring regions. For the most up-to-date information on these satellites or any subsequent developments, it's advisable to refer to the latest updates from ISRO or official space-related sources. 

India's decommissioned weather satellites

Here are some historically significant weather satellites operated by India, along with their launch and decommissioning dates:

• INSAT-1A:

        Launch Date: April 10, 1982
        Decommissioning Date: August 12, 1990

• INSAT-1B:

        Launch Date: August 30, 1983
        Decommissioning Date: September 7, 1984

• INSAT-1C:

        Launch Date: July 21, 1988
        Decommissioning Date: September 5, 1995

• INSAT-1D:

        Launch Date: June 12, 1990
        Decommissioning Date: November 12, 1997

• INSAT-2A:

        Launch Date: July 10, 1992
        Decommissioning Date: April 6, 2006

• INSAT-2B:

        Launch Date: July 23, 1993
        Decommissioning Date: October 7, 2011

Reference

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