India is the 4th country to have a satellite-based navigation system.
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
India has successfully launched IRNSS-1E, the fifth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on Wednesday.
ISRO chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar confirmed that “PSLV C-31 rocket has successfully launched IRNSS-IE satellite in orbit.”
The 320-tonne 44-metre rocket blasted off from Sriharikota at 9.31 a.m. IST and deployed the satellite into the orbit 19 minutes and 20 seconds later.
IRNSS-1E is the fifth navigation satellite of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS space segment. India is the fourth country after USA, Russia and China to have a satellite-based navigation system.
According to the scientists once the full system is launched it will be at par with the US-based Global Positioning System (GPS).
Its predecessors, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D were launched by PSLV-C22, PSLV-C24, PSLV-C26 and PSLV-C27 in July 2013, April 2014, October 2014 and March 2015, respectively.
IRNSS-1E has a lift-off mass of 1425 kg. The configuration of IRNSS-1E is similar to that of IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D.
The satellite carries two types of payloads – navigation payload and ranging payload. The navigation payload of IRNSS-1E will transmit navigation service signals to the users. This payload will be operating in L5-band and S-band, ISRO said in a statement.
“A highly accurate Rubidium atomic clock is part of the navigation payload of the satellite. The ranging payload of IRNSS-1E consists of a C-band transponder which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. IRNSS-1E also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging,” the statement added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists on the successful launch via Twitter.
“Congratulating the dynamism & determination of @isro & our scientists on successful launch of PSLV C31 & putting IRNSS 1E in orbit precisely,” he tweeted.