Article Posted on : - Mar 30, 2015

The IRNSS constellation of satellites. An ISRO image

CHENNAI (PTI): The first orbit raising operation of latest navigation satellite IRNSS-1D has been successfully completed, ISRO said Monday.

"First orbit raising operation of IRNSS-1D is successfully completed by firing the Apogee motor at 17.28 hours on March 29, 2015," ISRO said on its website.

Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched the IRNSS-1D, the fourth in the series of seven navigation satellites on board its workhorse PSLV-C27 from the spaceport of Sriharikota on Saturday.

IRNSS-1D which will provide navigation, tracking and mapping service and has a mission life of 10 years, is the fourth in the constellation of seven satellites, which would be on par with US-based GPS once the full complement of spacecraft are launched.

While four satellites would be sufficient to start operations of the IRNSS system, the remaining three would make it more accurate and efficient.

ISRO has planned to launch the remaining three navigation satellites IRNSS-1E, 1F and 1G before the end of the next financial year.