Isro completes propellant filling on board PSLV-C27

Countdown operations progressing normally for today's launch, says Isro

The stage is all set for the launch of PSLV-C27, which will carry India's fourth navigation satellite IRNSS-1D from the Sriharikotta space port, near Chennai.

The rocket is scheduled to take off at 1719 hours IST from Sriharikotta.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said that propellant filling operation of PSLV-C27 has been completed. PSLV-C27/IRNSS-1D countdown operations are progressing normal, it added.

The 59-and-half-hour countdown for the PSLV-C27/IRNSS-1D mission started at 05:49 hrs on March 26, a day after Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board cleared the same.

IRNSS-1D is part of the IRNSS constellation of satellites slated to be launched to provide navigational services to the region. The satellite will be placed in geosynchronous orbit. It will help augment satellite-based navigation system of India. The navigational system so developed will be a regional one targeted towards South Asia.

The satellite will provide navigation, tracking and mapping services.

Isro sources have said that two more navigation satellites are expected to be launched this year itself and the seventh and the last one of the system is expected to be launched in early 2016. Three satellites, which were launched earlier, have been integrated with the ground stations and are working well.

Once all the seven satellites starts operations, India can replace the US GPS with the Indian system. The navigation system's strategic application is expected to play a vital role in the country's defence also, said sources.