General Knowledge-India successfully launches IRNSS-1A Navigation Satellite

India successfully launches IRNSS-1A Navigation Satellite

 India has launched its first navigational Satellite IRNSS-1A, which is the first of its series of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) on 1^st July 2013 night at 11.41 PM through its PSLV –C22 Launch vehicle

The IRNSS-1A satellite is the first of seven which will make up the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The constellation will consist of four satellites in geosynchronous orbits inclined at 29 degrees, with three more in geostationary orbit. IRNSS-1A is one of the geosynchronous satellites, and is expected to be positioned at a longitude of 55 degrees east.

IRNSS-1A will eventually be co-located with a second satellite at 55 degrees east, while two more satellites will be placed at 111 degrees east. The geostationary satellites will operate at 34, 83 and 132 degrees east. The IRNSS system is expected to provide navigation signals to India with an accuracy of up to 20 meters.

This is Indian version of GPS provided by the US and the GLONASS by the Russia. In the history of Satellite navigation in the world, India is the third country to join in the elite club after US and Russia.

The IRNSS-1A satellite is based on the I-1K satellite bus and has a fuelled mass of 1,425 kilograms (3,141 lb), or a dry mass of 614 kg (1,354 lb).

It is powered by two solar arrays, which generate up to 1,660 watts of power. The spacecraft is expected to operate for ten years.

Monday’s launch, which marked the twenty-fourth flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, was designated as flight number C22.

This is the first time in the history of ISRO, a satellite launched at night.