ISRO will be launching the advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on board GSLV-F05 from the spaceport of Sriharikota today at 4.10 pm
This launch will mark the beginning of a new era since India will be using a home based cryogenic engine on an operation flight for the first time.
Why should you be proud of India's first home based cryogenic engine?
May 2003 was the first time a successful test flight of the cryogenic engine was demonstrated. However, it was not a remarkable event considering the fact that we had used a Russian engine.
It took us 11 years for a successful test flight using an in-house engine
This launch will be the first time an indigenous cryogenic engine will be used for on an operational flight
An operational flight means that ISRO will not be testing any components, flight parameters or flight routes and the launch will only be about the mission.
The ISRO GSLV is an advanced weather satellite that will provide "meteorological services to the country."
Other than the meteorological services, INSAT-3DR will join the operational Search and Rescue service provided by INSAT-3D to different users, including Coast Guard, Airport Authority of India, Shipping and Defense Services.
The designed mission life of INSAT-3DR is 10 years.
Where can you see it live?
The launch can be streamed on ISRO's official website. It will also be telecasted live on Doordarshan.
