Countdown begins for launch of IRNSS-1D

Rocket carrying the navigation satellite scheduled to take off on March 28 from Sriharikota

The countdown for the lift off of India’s fourth navigation satellite IRNSS-1D began today. 

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the 59-and-half-hour countdown for the launch of rocket Polar Satellite LaunchVehicle (PSLV--27) carrying Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-IRNSS-1D began in the Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh.

The rocket is scheduled to take off at 5.19 pm on March 28 to put into orbit the 1,425 kg IRNSS-1D satellite.

So far three regional navigational satellites have been placed in orbit as part of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km. The entire constellation is planned to be completed this year itself.

The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the second IRNSS-1B in April 2014 and the third on October 16, 2014.

Officials said the full system comprises nine satellites, including seven in orbit and two on the ground as stand-by - the navigation services could be made operational with four satellites.

Once the regional navigation system is in place, India need not be dependent on other platforms.

As reported earlier, each satellite costs around Rs 150 crore and the PSLV-XL version rocket costs around Rs 130 crore. The seven rockets would involve an outlay of around Rs 910 crore.