Launch of IRNSS-1D Now Set for Saturday

The launch of India’s fourth Navigation Satellite, IRNSS-1D, is now scheduled for 17:19 IST (11:49 UTC) on Saturday, March 28, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

The launch was previously scheduled for March 9, then postponed until March 29 to replace a faulty telemetry transmitter on the satellite, according to the Indian Space Research Organization.

IRNSS-1D will be fourth in the seven-spacecraft Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System constellation. It will be flown into space in the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL.

The space segment of the IRNSS consists of seven satellites: three  in geostationary orbit and four in inclined geosynchronous orbit. The ground segment consists of infrastructure for controlling, tracking and other facilities. The entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is planned to be completed by 2015.

Both IRNSS-1A and 1B are functioning satisfactorily from their designated geosynchronous orbital positions. The first three satellites in the IRNSS series were launched from Sriharikota on July 1, 2013, April 4, 2014, and October 16, 2014. IRNSS-1E and IRNSS-1F satellites are expected to be launched before year end.

IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1,500 kilometers around the Indian mainland. IRNSS will provide two types of service: Standard Positioning Services (SPS) — provided to all users — and Restricted Services (RS), provided to authorized users.