ISRO’s GSLV-F14 to Launch INSAT-3DS Satellite, Crucial Mission for “Naughty Boy” Rocket

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of GSLV-F14 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Scheduled to take place this evening, this mission marks the 16th overall for the rocket and its 10th flight utilizing the indigenous cryogenic engine.

The primary payload for this mission is the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite, which will be carried into space aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). This launch is deemed crucial for ISRO’s GSLV, affectionately nicknamed the “naughty boy” due to its past challenges.

Former ISRO chairman coined the term “naughty boy” for the GSLV rocket, acknowledging its checkered history with a 40% failure rate, experiencing setbacks in six out of its 15 flights. Despite recent successes, including the May 29, 2023 launch, failures like the one on August 12, 2021, underscore the importance of this upcoming mission.

The success of GSLV-F14 is paramount, especially considering its future missions, such as carrying the Earth observation satellite NISAR later this year. Developed jointly by NASA and ISRO, NISAR aims to map the entire globe every 12 days, providing crucial data for monitoring changes in Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, sea level rise, and natural hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis.

As ISRO prepares for this significant launch, the success of GSLV-F14 will not only demonstrate technological advancements but also pave the way for groundbreaking collaborations in space exploration and monitoring.