The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched their next-generation IRNSS-1I navigation satellite. The satellite joins the ISRO’s Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) fleet that includes seven others launched between 2013 and 2016.
The IRNSS-1I payload was launched aboard PSLV-C41 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in India at 04:04 IST on April 12 (22:30 GMT on Wednesday, April 11). Following a successful launch, ISRO confirmed the payload had separated successfully, deployed it’s solar panels and was under the control of the agency’s Master Control Facility (MCF).
Controllers at the MCF will be performing orbital maneuvers in the coming days to position the IRNSS-1I satellite into its Geosynchronous Orbit at an inclination of 29 degrees to the equator.
IRNSS-1I is the eight IRNSS satellite. The system provides regional navigation services throughout Indian with capabilities to provide additional navigation 1500 km around mainland Indian.
The RNSS-1I satellite carries two main payloads. The first provides navigational data with the use of L5-band and S-band signals. The second provides ranging data and uses a C-band transponder in conjunction with Corner Cube Retroreflectors.
Today’s launch was India’s second in two weeks. On March 29, the country launched a GSLV Mk.2 deploying an experimental communications satellite.
Image Credit: ISRO
