Insat-3D, India’s dedicated weather satellite with six-channel high-resolution imager and 19-channel atmospheric sounder, is planned for launch in 2007-8. The satellite, claimed to be similar in capability to the US GOES spacecraft, will be the forerunner of a new generation of meteorological satellites with improved capabilities compared with earlier, multi-role Insats.

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Bhaba Atomic Research Centre and Hyderabad’s Electronics Corporation of India are developing the antenna for the deep space network to support India’s Chandrayaan-1 unmanned lunar probe.

RADHAKRISHNA RAO

Source: Flight International