Textbook launch for PSLV-C26, navigational satellite IRNSS-1C in its orbit in 20.25 minutes
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh: ISRO’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) gave the country and the space research organization yet another text book launch as exactly 20.25 minutes after the PSLV-C26 launched the satellite IRNSS-1C off Sriharikota at 1.32 am on Thursday, the satellite was placed in its orbit.
Minutes after the mission was declared a success to the cheer of hundreds of scientists at the Mission Control Room of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan declared that the ‘third navigational satellite of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System was up in its orbit’.
A team of 1000 scientists worked round the clock for the past four days to make this mission a grand success, said the ISRO director who thanked all those present at the control facility. The director also announced that several other launches were planned during the next few months including the next satellite of the IRNSS.
ISRO Control Room (Photo Courtesy: Doordarshan TV Grab)
According to ISRO officials, IRNSS-1C is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1500 km from its boundary, which is the primary service area of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. The Extended Service Area lies between primary service area and area enclosed by the rectangle from Latitude 30 deg South to 50 deg North, Longitude 30 deg East to 130 deg East.
“The main objective is to provide exact information on location and time for civil and military users on land, sea and air. The information will be used for disaster management, cell phone applications, mapping and driving. It will also benefit sailors, travelers and transporters to manage their fleet,” an ISRO official said.
Mission Director - Kunhi Krishnan (Photo Courtesy: Doordarshan TV Grab)
IRNSS-1C is the third navigation satellite of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS space segment. Its predecessors, IRNSS-1A and IRNSS-1B were launched by PSLV-C22 and PSLV-C24 in July 2013 and April 2014. At least 4 navigational satellites are necessary to commence the service and provide information on GPS such as latitude, longitude and altitude from mean sea level.
IRNSS will provide two types of services namely Standard Positioning Service (SPS), which is provided to all the users, and Restricted Service (RS), which is an encrypted service provided only to the authorised users. This system is expected to provide position accuracy better than 20 m in the primary service area.
IRNSS comprises of a space segment and a ground segment. The IRNSS space segment consists of seven satellites, with three satellites in geo-stationary orbit and four satellites in inclined geo-synchronous orbit.
