President Mukherjee congratulates ISRO for successful PSLV-C31 launch

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful launch of PSLV-C31 carrying IRNSS-1E, India's fifth navigation satellite.

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In a message to A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of ISRO, the President said, "I extend my hearty congratulations to you and your entire team at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful launch of PSLV-C31 carrying IRNSS-1E, India's fifth navigation satellite of the seven satellites constituting the India Regional Navigation Satellite System."

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"The launch marks an important landmark in our space programme and demonstrates, yet again, India's capabilities in space launch technology. With this launch, our nation is one step closer to an operational independent regional navigational satellite system. This will help to provide real-time data on the position of objects to aid road, air and maritime traffic apart from providing mapping and tracking services. The nation is proud of this achievement. Kindly convey my greetings to the members of your team of scientists, engineers, technologists and all others associated with this great mission. I wish all your future endeavours great success," he added.

ISRO's proven workhorse PSLV-C31 is set to put the satellite in the sub-geosynchronous orbit in its 33rd flight from the nation's spaceport at Sriharikota. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite system, IRNSS, consists of seven satellites to provide real-time data on the position of objects to aid road, air and maritime traffic apart from providing mapping and tracking services.

The satellite IRNSS-1E will join the four of its peers that are already operational in space. Weighing 1425 kilogram during lift off, the satellite has the mission life of 12 years equipped with navigation payload and ranging devices. ISRO has announced that the remaining two satellites in the series will be put in place before March this year.