The Indian advanced weather satellite INSAT-3D has already completed two years of successful activity after its launch on July 26, 2013.
The INSAT-3D mission's main aim is to provide meteorological observations through the monitoring process of land and ocean surfaces and the generation of vertical profile of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and humidity for weather forecasting and disaster warning, among others.
As the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) explains in its website, “INSAT-3D is an exclusive mission designed for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning. INSAT-3D is the first Indian geostationary satellite, equipped with sounder instrument that provides frequent good quality atmospheric profiles (temperature, humidity) over Indian landmass and adjoining areas.”
During these two years in orbit, INSAT-3D has helped tracking events such as the Cyclone Hudhud, which hit the east coast of India during October 2014. Several weather prediction agencies have been using or are planning to use INSAT-3D data for their models.
ISRO offers an interesting explanation of the INSAT-3D Mission on their website through this video.
