AKIPRESS.COM - Scripting success on the maiden operational flight of its heavy-duty rocket fitted with the indigenous cryogenic upper stage, India this week launched its advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR onboard GSLV-F05 from the spaceport in Sriharikota, according to Press Trust of India.

The 49.13-meter tall rocket lifted off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center at 4.50 pm, majestically soared into the skies and injected the 2,211-kg INSAT-3DR into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit about 17 minutes later.

INSAT-3DR, with a designed mission life of ten years, will provide service continuity to earlier meteorological missions and further augment the capability to provide various meteorological, search and rescue services.