ISRO Completes Navigation Constellation with Seventh IRNSS Satellite Launch

PSLV C33 with IRNSS 1G. Photo: ISRO

[Via Satellite 04-28-2016] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) completed the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation April 28 with the successful launch of IRNSS 1G. The satellite, seventh in the fleet, launched aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

IRNSS 1G separated from the rocket’s fourth stage after 19 minutes and 42 seconds, and entered an elliptical orbit of 283 km by 20,718 km inclined at an angle of 17.867 degrees to the equator, which was very close to the intended orbit. The satellite automatically deployed its solar panels, and ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan, Karnataka has taken over the control of the satellite. In the coming days, the MCF will conduct four orbit maneuvers to position the satellite in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) at 129.5 degrees east longitude.

ISRO launched the first IRNSS satellite in 2013. All of the country’s navigation satellites have launched on PSLV rockets, with today’s mission marking the rocket’s 35 flight. The completed constellation is designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1500 km around the Indian mainland.