India on Thursday launched its advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR from the spaceport of Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, reports BSS.
The take-off of Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), carrying the 2211-kg satellite, took place at 4:50 p.m. (local time) after a delay of 40 minutes over an anomaly.
The satellite is special for its imaging capabilities for night-time photos. It also carries a special search and rescue transponder, which will help in satellite-aided rescue operations.
The success of GSLV is crucial for the state-owned Indian Space Research Organisation since it will be the vehicle to launch the second moon mission – Chandrayaan 2 next year.
