India launches fourth navigation satellite

A screenshot of the launch video of ISRO’s navigation satellie (courtesy: ISRO)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today launched the country’s fourth navigational satellite.

A few minutes after 5 pm, PSLV-C27 carrying India’s fourth navigational satellite IRNSS-1D lifted off from the Sriharikota base. The 59.5 hours countdown for the launch had begun yesterday.

PSLV-C27/IRNSS-1D Launch update: PSLV-C27 successfully launches IRNSS-1D satellite.

— ISRO (@isro) March 28, 2015

The launch would pave the way for the country’s own navigation system on par with the GPS of US.

RNSS-1D is the fourth in the series of seven satellites, planned by ISRO to put in place the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), currently under development.

The IRNSS system, targeted to be completed by this year at a total cost of Rs. 1,420 crore, will be targeted at South Asia and is designed to provide accurate position information services to users in the country as well as the region extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary.

(With PTI inputs)

Source:: Indian Express