Top

With 7th satellite in orbit, India gets its own GPS

The PSLV-C33 rocket lifted off from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 12.50 pm.

Sriharikota: India has realised the dream of having an indigenous navigation system. The successful launch of the PSLV-C33 rocket on Thursday placed the IRNSS-1G satellite into designated orbit. With this launch, Isro has completed the constellation of 7 satellites for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

The PSLV-C33 rocket lifted off from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 12.50 pm. Twenty minutes from the launch the rocket placed the 1,425 kg satellite into a designated sub Geosynchronous Transfer orbit. The PSLV marked yet another textbook launch and its 34th consecutive successful mission, reaffirming its dependability.

”The launch was precise and successful,” Isro chairman A.S.Kiran Kumar said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who watched the launch live from New Delhi said, “With this successful launch, we will determine our own paths powered by our technology. This is a great gift to people from scientists.”

“The benefits from this new technology will benefit our people, our fishermen. This is an example of made in India and made for Indians. 125 crore Indians have got a new Navigation,” he said. “Our efforts will not only help India but we can help fellow SAARC nations as well,” he added.

After the injection into the preliminary orbit, the two solar panels of IRNSS-1G were automatically deployed in quick succession and Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan took control of the satellite. “”After the orbit raising manoeuvres the satellite will be placed in the geostationary orbit,” Isro said.

Like all other IRNSS satellites, IRNSS-1G also has two types of payloads, navigation payload and ranging payload. The navigation payload of IRNSS-1G will transmit navigation service signals to the users. IRNSS can be used for terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation.

It can be integrated with the mobile phones. Like GPS, IRNSS too can be used in car navigation, aircraft, smartphones. It can also be used for vehicle tracking and fleet management. It will give visual and voice navigation for drivers. Besides the military purposes, it will be helpful in disaster management operations as well. If it is produced at the low cost it can replace the GPS in the region.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
Next Story