Indian Economy News

ISRO successfully launches India's fifth navigation satellite IRNSS-1E

New Delhi: In its first launch this year, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully put the IRNSS-1E in orbit using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-31. The 1,425 kg satellite was the fifth to be launched as part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) which will consist of a constellation of seven satellites.

After the PSLV-C31 lift-off at 9:31am on Wednesday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and a flight of about 18 minutes 43 seconds, IRNSS-1E Satellite was injected to an elliptical orbit and successfully separated from the PSLV fourth stage. Once in orbit, the solar panels of IRNSS-1E were deployed automatically so that it can be controlled by Isro’s Master Control Facility at Hassan, Karnataka.

“Congratulating the dynamism & determination of @isro & our scientists on successful launch of PSLV C31 & putting IRNSS 1E in orbit precisely,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The other four satellites IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and ID, the first four satellites of the constellation, were successfully launched by PSLV on 2 July 2013, 4 April 2014, 16 October 2014 and 28 March 2015, respectively. According to the National Space Agency, all the four satellites are functioning satisfactorily from their designated orbital positions.

IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1500 km around the Indian mainland. IRNSS would provide two types of services, namely Standard Positioning Services available to all users and Restricted Services provided to authorised users.

Ground stations for monitoring and guiding the satellite have been established in 18 locations of the country. The last two satellites are scheduled to be launched this year, which will make the IRNSS functional. Once fully operational, the National Space Agency is aiming to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign navigational systems such as the US Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian GLONASS.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.

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