ISRO launches fifth navigation satellite IRNSS-1E from Sriharikota
The IRNSS-1E satellite joins four of its peers that are already operational in space.
Sriharikota: ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle, PSLV-C31, in its 33rd flight, placed the fifth satellite of the seven Indian Regional Navigation satellite system constellations (IRNSS-1E) successfully in the intended orbit on Wednesday morning. The 44.4 metre tall PSLV took off majestically with 1,425 kg weighing IRNSS-1E on board into the sky leaving orange flames behind. A beaming ISRO Chairman A. S. Kirankumar congratulated the scientist’s team for the grand success of the first launch for the year 2016.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated ISRO and its scientists, on the successful launch of PSLV-C31 and the IRNSS 1E satellite, via Twitter.
Congratulating the dynamism & determination of @isro & our scientists on successful launch of PSLV C31 & putting IRNSS 1E in orbit precisely
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2016With this launch the Indian Space Research Organisation has been inching close to its ambitious programme of introducing indigenously developed navigation satellite system to provide accurate real-time position information service similar to GPS to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km. The IRNSS would provide two services, with the Standard Positioning Service open for civilian use and the Restricted Service, encrypted one, for authorised users (military). The applications of IRNSS include Integration with mobile phones, Aerial and Marine Navigation, Disaster Management, Vehicle tracking and fleet management, Precise Timing, Mapping and Geodetic data capture, Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers and visual and voice navigation for drivers.
According to ISRO officials Space Applications Centre, Ahmadabad has been developing the ground receivers for the system. The Space Application Centre and Private Industries also developing miniaturised navigational signal receivers. Navigation Satellite System is a computer-operated system of navigation that uses signals from orbiting satellites and mapping data to pinpoint the user's position and plot a subsequent course.
PSLV-C31 launches IRNSS-1E, the fifth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, from Sriharikota https://t.co/ex1LlOexRo
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 20, 2016The satellite IRNSS-1E will join the four of its peers that are already operational in space. Weighing 1425 kilogram during lift off, the satellite has the mission life of 12 years equipped with navigation payload and ranging devices. ISRO has announced that the remaining two satellites in the series will be put in place before March this year.
-with agency inputs....