INSAT-3D
INSAT-3D is an Indian geostationary meteorological satellite launched in 2013. It carries imaging and atmospheric sounding instruments to support weather forecasting, disaster warning and search-and-rescue services.
Object identity
- NORAD ID
- 39216
- COSPAR ID
- 2013-038B
- Operator
- Not listed
- Country
- Not listed
- Launch date
- Not listed
Immediate discovery
Why this satellite matters
Atmospheric sounding infers vertical temperature and moisture structure from radiation measured in carefully selected spectral bands.
Understanding the mission
Science and engineering ideas
Atmospheric sounding infers vertical temperature and moisture structure from radiation measured in carefully selected spectral bands.
Mission
Mission and purpose
Weather spacecraft carry instruments that observe Earth and its atmosphere in visible, infrared, microwave, or other wavelengths. Different orbits provide either repeated regional views or broad global coverage.
- Atmospheric sounding infers vertical temperature and moisture structure from radiation measured in carefully selected spectral bands.
Design
Engineering
Atmospheric sounding infers vertical temperature and moisture structure from radiation measured in carefully selected spectral bands.
Real orbital values
The mathematics
The current two-line element set reports approximately 1.0027 revolutions per day. Dividing 1,440 minutes by that value gives an estimated orbital period of 1,436.1 minutes.
Period
1,436.1 min
Representative speed
11,069 km/h
Representative altitude
35,794 km
Inclination
2.16°
Launch record
Launch and deployment
INSAT-3D launched on 25 July 2013 aboard an Ariane 5 from Kourou, French Guiana.
Orbit
GEO orbit explained
A geosynchronous satellite takes about one sidereal day to orbit Earth. A circular equatorial geostationary satellite appears to remain near one longitude in the sky.
GEO is valuable when continuous coverage of a broad region matters, although the great distance increases signal delay and reduces image detail compared with lower orbits.
Live TransitSatellite experience
See INSAT-3D moving now
Open the live tracker to view its current calculated position, trajectory, orbital information, visibility tools, and Save and Share controls.
Learning
Questions to explore
- Why can infrared instruments observe clouds at night?
- What is the difference between continuous regional coverage and global coverage?
Evidence
Sources and data notes
Current identity and orbital elements come from CelesTrak’s public GP data. Calculated orbit values are derived from the current TLE and may change after catalog updates. Mission-history claims are added separately and require authoritative sources.
Catalog updated
Sep 20, 2026, 5:17 AM UTC
Story review
1970-01-01T00:00:00.000Z