CHENNAI: India took another step towards putting in place an alternative to the American GPS on Saturday, putting in orbit IRNSS-1D, the fourth of the seven satellites that would form a navigation satellite network.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C27) lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 5.19pm and placed IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System)-1D weighing 1,425kg in a sub-geostationary orbit.
PSLV-C27 that lifted off from the second launch pad was an `XL' version of the PSLV rocket as was the case with the previous three launches. After injection into the preliminary orbit, the two solar panels of IRNSS 1D were deployed in quick succession.
It was a textbook launch as all the four stages performed as planned. The first stage of the rocket successfully separated 130 seconds after the lift-off and the second stage ignited as planned. At 262 seconds, the second stage of the rocket was burned out as planned and soon the third stage was ignited.
The Master Control Facility at Hassan will take control of the satellite and perform the initial orbit raising manouvers consisting of one manoeuvre at perigree (nearest point to earth) and three at apogee (farthest point to earth). These movements will be done using the liquid apogee motor of the satellite till it is placed in a circular geostationary orbit.
IRNSS 1D carries two payloads- a navigation payload and a ranging payload. The navigation payload will transmit navigation service signals to users, while the ranging payload the satellite has a C-band transponder which helps accurate determination of the range of the satellite. ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar has said that the new satellite would help a person on the ground locate his geographical position in the subcontinent.
The first three satellites in the series were launched from Sriharikota in July 2013, April 2014 and October 2014.
India successfully launches IRNSS-1D, fourth of seven navigation satellites - The Times of India
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C27) lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 5.19pm and placed IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System)-1D weighing 1,425kg in a sub-geostationary orbit.
PSLV-C27 that lifted off from the second launch pad was an `XL' version of the PSLV rocket as was the case with the previous three launches. After injection into the preliminary orbit, the two solar panels of IRNSS 1D were deployed in quick succession.
It was a textbook launch as all the four stages performed as planned. The first stage of the rocket successfully separated 130 seconds after the lift-off and the second stage ignited as planned. At 262 seconds, the second stage of the rocket was burned out as planned and soon the third stage was ignited.
The Master Control Facility at Hassan will take control of the satellite and perform the initial orbit raising manouvers consisting of one manoeuvre at perigree (nearest point to earth) and three at apogee (farthest point to earth). These movements will be done using the liquid apogee motor of the satellite till it is placed in a circular geostationary orbit.
IRNSS 1D carries two payloads- a navigation payload and a ranging payload. The navigation payload will transmit navigation service signals to users, while the ranging payload the satellite has a C-band transponder which helps accurate determination of the range of the satellite. ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar has said that the new satellite would help a person on the ground locate his geographical position in the subcontinent.
The first three satellites in the series were launched from Sriharikota in July 2013, April 2014 and October 2014.
India successfully launches IRNSS-1D, fourth of seven navigation satellites - The Times of India
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