India's advanced weather satellite INSAT-3D is closer to its target geostationary orbit at 36,000 km above the atmosphere of Earth. The satellite will reach its final orbit soon, confirmed the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
The Ariane-5 rocket launched INSAT-3D on 26th July into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. After that, two critical process to raise the satellite's orbit were performed. Isro's Master Control Facility at Hassan carried out the procedures. At 36,000 km, the satellite will be at the highest geostationary altitude.
On Saturday, INSAT-3D was raised to 15,780 km after its Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) was fired for 65 minutes. The second orbit raising on Sunday resulted in a further rising to 31,800 km, by firing LAM for 24 minutes. On 29th July, INSAT-3D will reach 36,000 km from Earth.
(AW: Sruthi)
