Isro puts into orbit IRNSS-1I navigation satellite
sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) — India early on Thursday put into orbit navigation satellite IRNSS1I, a part of Indian satellite navigation system NavIC in copy-book style. The 1,425 kg satellite was carried into space by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket’s ‘XL’ variant. Simply put, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation, earlier the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS) is the Indian ‘GPS’.
After the successful launch, Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K. Sivan said: “I am extremely happy to announce that the PSLV has precisely injected the navigation satellite in the targetted orbit.”
He said Isro is moving towards to get the rocket and satellite through industry.
Sivan said over the next eight months, Isro has planned nine launch missions including the moon mission towards the end of the year. At 4.04am, the four stage/engine PSLV-XL rocket, standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing 321 tonnes, blasted off from the first launch pad.
Just over 19 minutes into the flight, the rocket slung IRNSS-1I into the orbit from where the satellite will be taken up to its final position at geo synchronous orbit at a height of 36,000 km.
The Rs14.2 billion Indian satellite navigation system NavIC consists of nine satellites — seven in orbit and two as substitutes. The fully operational system is expected to provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km.
Meanwhile, K.Sivan said that Isro is not facing any funds crunch for its ongoing activities.
The total allocation for the Department of Space for the next fiscal in the union budget for 2018-19 is Rs107.83 billion (including Rs89.36 billion for various space related projects) — up from Rs91.55 billion allocated for the 2017-18 net of recoveries and receipts. —