INSAT is a series of multipurpose Geo-stationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is the largest domestic communication system in the Asia Pacific Region. It is a joint venture of the Department of Space, Department of Telecommunications, India Meteorological Department, All India Radio and Doordarshan. INSAT-3D is an advanced weather satellite of India configured with improved imaging System and Atmospheric Sounders. The KALPANA and INSAT-3A satellites of India are operational in geostationary orbit for the past one decade at 74 deg. East and 93.5 deg. East respectively. These Satellites have imaging systems providing images in Visible, Near-Infrared, Shortwave Infrared, Water Vapour and Thermal Infrared bands. INSAT-3D, launched this year on 26th July 2013 by an European rocket from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana giving a boost to weather forecasting and disaster warning services. After a smooth countdown lasting 11 hours and 30 minutes, the Ariane-5 launch vehicle of the French commercial space transportation company Arianespace lifted off on schedule at the opening of the launch window at 1.24 a.m. IST.
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