IRNSS-IA launch important milestone in development of space programme: PM

Hailing the successful launch of IRNSS-1A satellite, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday described it as an "important milestone in the development of India's space programme".

"The IRNSS-1A satellite is the first in a series which will give India its own space-based navigation system, Dr. Singh said.

"India's space programme is playing an increasingly important role in socio-economic development of the country," he added.

He also congratulated the scientists responsible for the successful launch of the satellite.

India has successfully launched its first dedicated navigation satellite, IRNSS-1A, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

The satellite blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11.41 p.m. on Monday night.

The 1,425 kilograms PSLV C22, after four stages of ignition and separation, was successfully injected into orbit at exactly one minute past twelve.

This was the first time that ISRO carried out a launch operation in the dead of the night.

The data from the satellite will help the country in a range of fields, including disaster management, vehicle tracking, fleet management and marine navigation.

It is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in the country as well as the region extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary, which is its primary service area.

ISRO Chairman Dr. K Radhakrishnan expressed happiness after the satellite's successful launch.