ISRO successfully launches the last of the IRNSS satellites
With the final, seventh, satellite launched, India has a new positioning and navigation system
ISRO confirms the successful insertion of the final satellite of the IRNSS-1G constellation of navigation satellites into orbit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory Tweet to commemorate the event.
The satellite was deployed using the PSLV-C33 rocket and is the seventh in the array of satellites that will enable precise navigation and positioning up to an accuracy of 20 meters over the Indian subcontinent, outward to an area extending 1,500 sq km surrounding the country.
ISRO had earlier launched sixth navigation satellites: the IRNSS-1F on March 10 this year, IRNSS-1E on January 20, 2016, IRNSS-1D on March 28, 2015, IRNSS-1C on October 16, 2014, IRNSS-1B on April 4, 2014 and IRNSS-1A on July 1, 201.
The 44.4 metre tall IRNSS-1G has a lift-off mass of 1,425 kg and has been launched in sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO), and has a 12-year mission life.
The PSLV-C33, carrying this satellite, makes it the rocket’s 35th flight and is the XL variant that was used during the launch of Mars Orbiter Mission, Chandrayaan-1, ASTROSAT, and the six earlier IRNSS satellites.
Those cost to launch all seven satellites has amounted to Rs 1,420 crore.