ISRO successfully launches IRNSS-1I navigation satellite aboard PSLV-C41 into Earth's polar orbit | WATCH

India put into orbit IRNSS-1I. it is a navigation satellite which is a part of Indian satellite navigation system NavIC.

The IRNSS-1I, which is a 1,425 kg satellite, was carried into space by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket's 'XL' variant.

If we were to understand it simply, then NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation, earlier the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS) is the Indian Global Positioning System (GPS).

The navigation satellite was successfully launched from its Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.

He said ISRO is moving towards to get the rocket and satellite through industry.

Sivan said that over the next eight months, ISRO has planned 9 launch missions including the moon mission towards the end of 2018.

At 4.04 am, the four stage/engine PSLV-XL rocket, standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing 321 tonnes, blasted off from the first launch pad.

ISRO successfully puts IRNSS-1I in orbit to replace IRNSS-1A after its onboard atomic clocks stopped functioning.

Just over 19 minutes into the flight, the rocket slung IRNSS-1I into the orbit from where the satellite will be taken up to its final position at geo synchronous orbit at a height of 36,000 km.

The Rs 1,420 crore Indian satellite navigation system NavIC consists of 9 satellites -- seven in orbit and two as substitutes.

PSLV-C41 liftoff.

The fully operational system is expected to provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km.

One of the substitutes was the IRNSS-1H as the in IRNSS-1A's rubidium atomic clocks, important for giving accurate positional data, had failed.

However, the IRNSS-1H satellite launch mission ended in a failure on August 31 in 2017.

The 1,425 kg IRNSS-1I was the second satellite sent up as replacement for IRNSS-1A and the ninth of the IRNSS satellite series.

PSLV-C41 on the First Launch Pad.

Each satellite has three rubidium atomic clocks and a total of 27 clocks for the navigation satellite system were supplied by the same vendor. The navigation satellites include the standby satellites also.

Like its other IRNSS predecessors, IRNSS-1I also carries two types of payloads for navigation and ranging.

The navigation payload, operating in L5-band and S-band, will transmit navigation service signals to the users, while the ranging payload consists of a C-band transponder, which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. IRNSS-1I also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging.

IRNSS-1I spacecraft is being Integrated with PSLV-C41.

NavIC provides two types of services -- standard positioning service and restricted service. The former is for all users while the latter is an encrypted service for only authorised users.

NAVIC USES

According to ISRO, Navigation with Indian Constellation is useful for fishermen to reach potential fishing areas.

The fishermen can also get alert messages relating to bad weather, high waves or when they approach the international maritime boundary line.

People can use these services which are provided through a software application on a smart phone.

ISRO also said that NavIC is useful for merchant ships in their navigation and also during search and rescue operations.

In the road transport sector, NavIC helps commuters to traverse distances and also enables transport operators to track their vehicles.

PSLV-C41 liftoff.

The navigation system is also helpful for railways in tracking trains and also giving an alert in the case of an unmanned level crossing.

It is also used for other applications like location-based services, survey and alignment, and time synchronised services.

FAILURE ROCKET

Starting in July 2013, ISRO has launched eight navigation satellites.

In August last year, India's mission to launch its backup navigation satellite IRNSS-1H on board PSLV-C39 ended in a failure after a technical fault on the final leg following a perfect launch.

This was a failure as the rocket's heat shield did not separate three minutes after lift-off and the satellite remained housed inside the heat shield.

Each satellite has a life span of 10 years.

IRNSS-1I

The IRNSS-1I is the eighth satellite to join the NavIC navigation satellite constellation in Earth's polar orbit.

PSLV-C41 liftoff.

It is expected to replace IRNSS-1A, the first of the seven navigation satellites, that was rendered ineffective after its three rubidium atomic clocks failed.

The seven satellites are part of the NavIC navigation satellite constellation

WATCH | ISRO launches IRNSS-1I aboard PSLV-C41 from First Launch Pad (FLP) of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota

WATCH: ISRO launches the IRNSS-1I navigation satellite aboard the PSLV-C41 from First Launch Pad (FLP) of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/RNfzYfw0VJ

ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2018

(With inputs from IANS)