Countdown begins for navigation satellite launch

Posted on 26th Mar 2015 02:46 pm by mohit kumar

Chennai, March 26 (IANS) The countdown for the lift of an Indian rocket with the country's fourth navigation satellite as the sole passenger began at 5.49 a.m. on Thursday, the ISRO said.

According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the 59 and half hours countdown for the launch of rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV--27) carrying Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-IRNSS-1D began in the Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh.

The rocket is expected to blast off at 5.19 p.m. on March 28 to put into orbit the 1,425 kg IRNSS-1D satellite.

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 of 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 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.

Other news

Modi Surname Case: Hearing on Rahul's petition now on August 4; Supreme Court notice to Gujarat government and others

The Supreme Court on Friday heard Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's petition in the defamation case

China-US tension: What will be India's role in South China Sea?

Amid increasing tension between the US and China, the US has stepped up its activities in the Sou

Pakistan: Afghan Taliban will help Pakistan in dealing with TTP extremists, Mullah Baradar assures

Pakistan is horrified by the recent spate of attacks by the banned terrorist organization TTP and

It is necessary to wear a hijab after 9 years, police also separately; Know what are the rules on Hijab in Iran

Hijab is very much in discussion these days. The controversy that started regarding wearing hijab

50% posts in Congress to youth: Kharge's announcement as soon as he becomes president - half the posts will be given to people below 50 years of age

Mallikarjun Kharge has officially become the Congress President. The election officer Madhusudan

IND vs NZ Playing 11: India's 11 players are fixed but Kiwis can change their tactics in the semi-finals, know the possible playing 11

The first semi-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is between India and New Zealand. Th

North Korea again fired a ballistic missile, and Japan's concerns increased; issued an emergency alert

Japan's Prime Minister's Office has issued an emergency alert because of a suspected ballistic mi

Prime Minister called an all party meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the martyrdom of the soldiers today, amid the threat of 20

Mission Raniganj Box Office Collection: 'Mission Raniganj' opened its account with so many crores, know the opening day collection

Mission Raniganj Box Office Collection: After giving 5 consecutive flop films, Akshay Kumar has r

RRR, Pushpa & Baahubali Sequel: When will the sequels of RRR, Pushpa, and Baahubali come? Full information will be found here

SS Rajamouli's third pan India film 'RRR' proved to be a blockbuster, since then the discussions