The
satellite IRNSS-1G (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-1G) is part of
a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information
service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of
1,500km. Till
date, India has launched six regional navigational satellites (IRNSS-1A, 1B,
1C, ID, 1E and 1F).
The 51.30
hour countdown for the launch of India's seventh and final navigation satellite
on April 28 afternoon begun at 9:20am on Tuesday at Sriharikota rocket port of
Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), said a senior official.
"The
countdown started at 9:20am. The rocket PSLV-XL will blast off from the first
launch pad at 12:50pm on April 28," P. Kunhikrishnan, director, Satish
Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota told IANS over phone.
Though
the full system comprises nine satellites - seven in orbit and two on the ground
as stand-by, the navigation services could be made operational with four
satellites, Isro officials said earlier.
The IRNSS
is similar to the global positioning system (GPS) of the US (24 satellites),
Glonass of Russia, and Galileo of Europe as well as China's Beidou.
While GPS
and Glonass are fully functional global systems, the Chinese and the Japanese
systems are offering regional coverage and Europe's Galileo is yet to be
operational. The IRNSS
will provide two types of services - standard positioning service and
restricted service. The former is provided to all users and the latter is an
encrypted service for authorised users.
Meanwhile
Isro is in the process of developing the front-end radio frequency chips for
the satellite navigation system. The initial version is expected to be ready
this year, Isro chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar told IANS earlier.
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