ISRO to launch weather satellite INSAT-3DR in August

The frequency of launch will be increased to 12-18 launches a year

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II with weather satellite INSAT-3DR in August. The space agency is also looking at increasing the frequency of launch to 12-18 a year, said A S Kiran Kumar, chairman of ISRO.

Speaking at a meeting of the Madras Institute of Technology Alumni Association, he said that the INSAT-3DR is getting ready for launch next month, in the GSLV rocket.

At present, ISRO is launching around six to eight satellites a year. The plans are to increase this to 12-18%, he said. The Space agency has launched INSAT-3D in 2013, aiming at providing inputs related to weather.

The GSLV Mark III, a higher version of the geosynchronous vehicle is expected to be launched by the end of this year, carrying the communication satellite GSAT 19, said K Sivan, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

A PSLV, with weather satellite Scatsat, to gather data about cyclones, wind vectors and climate change monitoring, is also scheduled to be launched in August.