The countdown process for tomorrow's launch of GSLV-F05, carrying the advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR, is progressing smoothly at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The 29-hour countdown began at 11:10 this morning and the launch will take place at 4.10 pm tomorrow.<br/><br/>With this mission, indigenously made complex Cryogenic Upper Stage in the rocket GSLV will enter its operational phase from the developmental test phase. The weather satellite will have an advanced imager, a sounder and transponders for data relay and search and rescue missions. Its operational life is planned to be ten years. AIR correspondent reports that INSAT 3DR will maintain continuity in the weather forecasting related services of its predecessors and a variety of other meteorological functions. <br/><br/>ISRO says the satellite has the ability to provide information on estimated rainfall, sea and land surface temperature, snow cover and cloud movement from 36000 kilometer height several times a day covering entire landmass of India and its neighborhood including remote and uninhabited areas. <br/><br/>The data are being used mostly by Indian Meteorological Department, Coast Guard, Directorate of Shipping, Airports Authority of India and many other key user agencies. The launch vehicle GSLV-F05 enters into the operational phase after proving its reliability to lift 2.5 ton class payloads and inject into Geosynchronous transfer orbits.