Panaromic view of Fully integrated PSLV-c31 with IRNSS-1E at Second Launch Pad in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh [Image: ISRO]India on Wednesday successfully launched its fifth navigation satellite, joining four previous ones aimed at forming its independent navigation system. New Delhi is aiming to expand the country’s influence in the competitive, $300 billion global space industry.
The IRNSS-1E on board PSLV-C31 rocket was launched from Sriharikota in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh at 9.30 am (local time).
It has configuration similar to its predecessors IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and carries two types of payloads – navigation and ranging payload.
The navigation payload will transmit navigation service signals to the users and operating in L5-band and S-band while the other consists of a C-band transponder that facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite.
IRNSS-1E has a lift off mass of 1,425 kg and carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging and a highly accurate rubidium atomic clock (also part of the navigation payload of the satellite).
IRNSS-1E is the fifth navigation satellite in the IRNSS space system, comprising seven satellites, which would be an Indian version of the American Global Positioning System (GPS).
Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO said on Wednesday it would launch two more satellites in the next two and a half months.
In 2014, Indian scientists scored big on the global stage when their low-cost Mars mission entered the orbit of Mars on its very first attempt.
TBP and Agencies
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