Chennai, March 23 (IANS) The Indian rocket that would put into orbit the country's fourth navigation satellite on March 28 was moved to the launch pad on Monday morning, said a senior official.
"The rocket - Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-PSLV-XL - has been moved to the launch pad or the umbilical tower. The rocket will be fixed to the umbilical tower," M.Y.S. Prasad, director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), told IANS over phone from Sriharikota.
India's only rocket port is located at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh around 80 km from here.
According to Prasad after the rocket is connected to the umbilical tower system, checks would be carried out including full rocket and satellite checks.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is hoping to launch the rocket on March 28 evening if everything goes smoothly.
Originally ISRO had planned to launch the 1,425 kg Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS-1D) satellite on March 9.
But on March 4, ISRO deferred the launch after it found that one of the telemetry transmitters in the IRNSS-1D was not working properly.
India has so far launched three regional navigational satellites as part of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km.
Though the full system comprises nine satellites - seven in orbit and two on the ground as stand-by - the navigation services could be made operational with four satellites, ISRO officials had said.
Each satellite costs around Rs.150 crore and the PSLV-XL version rocket costs around Rs.130 crore. The seven rockets would involve an outlay of around Rs.910 crore.
The entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is planned to be completed this year itself.
The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the second IRNSS-1B in April 2014 and the third on October 16, 2014.
Once the regional navigation system is in place, India need not be dependent on other platforms.
Meanwhile European space agency Arianespace is also getting ready to launch two Galileo satellites on March 27.
The two satellites would be launched jointly by a Soyuz rocket blasting off from French Guyana.
According to Arianespace, the Galileo programme is Europe's initiative for satellite navigation, providing a highly accurate global positioning system under civilian control - to consist of 30 satellites in total, along with European control centres and a worldwide network of sensor and uplink stations.
Trouble for former MD of Twitter India, SC sent a notice on UP government's petition
The Supreme Court has issued a notice in the FIR against Manish Maheshwari, former MD of Twitter India, and sought a reply. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Uttar Pradesh government's plea in
Major action in killing of sadhus, CRPF reached Palghar, area completely sealed
Mumbai: CRPF deployed CRPF has been deployed in Gadchinchale village of Palghar, 9 days after the killing of the sadhus. It was here that a fierce mob beaten up three people, including two sadhus.
FIFA WC 2022: Switzerland's game plan overshadowed Cameroon, defeated 1-0 in a thrilling match
FIFA WC 2022 Qatar: In the FIFA World Cup 2022, Switzerland made a winning start by defeating Cameroon 1-0. In the first half, both the teams were on par, but in the second half, Switzerland's game
'Zubeen Garg was poisoned,' reveals singer's friend; alleges conspiracy
There has been a new twist in the case of the death of renowned singer and icon Zubeen Garg. His bandmate, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, has made serious allegations, claiming that Zubeen's manager,
Pakistan: Pakistan begged for talks with India! A former military general said - Media, and business create an environment
The bad economic condition has taken away all the swagger of Pakistan and now it has reached almost begging conditions for talks with India. Let us tell you that a former top Pakistani army officer
Effect of fog: 12 flights were canceled due to rain and bad weather, many trains were delayed by 18 hours; commotion at the airport
Transport service remained disrupted on Thursday due to rain and fog. 12 flights to and from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport Babatpur were canceled. Angered by this, the passengers created a
China's spy ship will not go to Sri Lanka: Yuang Wang 5 was about to reach Hambantota on August 11, India had expressed a strong objection
China's spy ship will no longer reach Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka on August 11. On Monday, the Sri Lankan government formally confirmed the news. China has taken the Hambantota port on a 99-year
Quad Summit 2022: Announcement of Chairman of NEC Corporation, Japan will help in smart cities and 5G projects in India
India and Japan have completed 70 years of diplomatic relations. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 28 April 1952. At the same time, the post-global pandemic Kovid-19
Germany: Germany reversed on the Kashmir issue, first showed love to Pakistan but now suddenly changed the tone
In the past, the advocacy of the participation of the United Nations in the situation of Jammu and Kashmir and the joining of Pakistan's yes to Germany was overshadowed. The result was that he had to
HMPV Virus: RTPCR test started, preparations to start a special lab; People coming from outside states will be monitored
Vigilance has increased in Himachal Pradesh after cases of Human Metapneumo Virus (HMPV) were reported in the country. Under the instructions of the government, the Health Department has asked all
