GSLV-F14 launch successful
GSLV is the GSLV Mk-II
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a GSLV Mk-II. This means that the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) had an Indian cryogenic engine, and not a Russian cryogenic engine. But, ISRO reverted to calling it a GSLV.
The vehicle had a history of being called a Naughty Boy because of the number of times it fell into the Bay of Bengal instead of to the orbit when flying with the Russian cryogenic engine. With the Indian cryogenic engine, it has been better behaved. With today’s success, it has 8 success and only 2 failures. But, those two failures have been random. The last failure had been two launches before this one.
But, I still love this Naughty Boy.
Launch
This launch was a daytime launch allowing maximum naked eye watching time. I absolutely loved the webcast.
INSAT-3DS
The payload that the GSLV was carrying was the INSAT-3DS. It is a data relay transponder, Advanced Aided Search & Rescue, a six channel imager, and a 19 channel sounder. These are basically a meterological and Search and Rescue mission.
This is a follow on to the INSAT-3DR satellite launched in 2016. This satellite had a 10 year mission span. 3DS was launched while the 3DR is in its eighth year of operation. Kudos to ISRO to launch a replacement well before the expiry of the 3DR.
The naming of this satellite doesn’t make sense. The 3DR stood for INSAT-3D Repeat. So, 3DS stands for Second Repeat? The INSAT-3D launched in 2013 has lost the Sounder since 2020.