ISRO fires new hopes with 2G navigation sat
SRIHARIKOTA (AP): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched a second generation navigation satellite, using a GSLV rocket with a cryogenic upper stage to do the job.
NVS-01 would augment the country’s regional navigation system, providing accurate and real-time navigation.
At the end of a 27.5 hour countdown, the 51.7 metre tall, 3-stage Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off at a prefixed time of 10.42 am from the second launch pad at this spaceport, situated about 130 km from Chennai. This was GSLV’s 15th flight.
The second generation navigation satellite series dubbed as a significant launch would ensure the continuity of NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) services -- an Indian regional satellite navigation system, similar to the GPS, providing accurate and real-time navigation.
Chandrayaan-3 in July
ISRO chairman S Somanath said Chandrayaan-3 will be launched in July this year. He made these remarks after the successful launch of the second generation navigation satellite NSV-01 from Satish Dhawan’s Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the moon. It consists of Lander and Rover configuration. It would launched by LVM3 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
Gaganyaan crew mission
ISRO is also gearing up for testing of the crew module in July for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, Somanath said.
The space agency was also working for the launch of the synthetic aperture radar mission in association with National Aeronautics Space Agency (NASA). It is a joint earth-observing mission involving NASA and ISRO.