The Indian Space Research Organisation's navigation satellite INRSS- 1I was on April, 2018 launched by PSLV-C41 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh).
After a flight lasting about 19 minutes, the vehicle achieved a Sub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee (nearest point to earth) of 281.5 km and an apogee (farthest point to earth) of 20,730 km inclined at an angle of 19.2 degree to the equator following which IRNSS-1I separated from PSLV. After separation, the solar panels of IRNSS-1I were deployed automatically. Isro's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan, Karnataka, took over the control of the satellite.
IRNSS-1I is expected to replace IRNSS-1A, the frist of the seven navigation satillites that was rendered ineffective after its three rubidium atomic clocks failed. The seven satellites are part of the NavIC navigation satellite constellation. Previously called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite Systen, NAViC or Navigation Indian Constellation, is India's own GPS- like system to give accurate information about location and time of persons or objects -- in the same way as the older US Global Positioning System or Russia's GLONASS.
NAViC is a constellation of seven satellites. The 7 IRNSS satellites were launched between 2013 and 16, with IRNSS-1A being the first. By mid-2016 problems surfaced with atomic clocks on board the satelite. For a foolproof navigation system that covers the entire country all 7 satellites have to be functional.
The rubidium-based atomic clocks onboard the IRNSS-1A failed and it was no longer useful for providing navigation services. The clocks were manufactured by Spectracom, which is part of the Orolia Group, that is headquartered in the US. The group also supplied clocks for the IRNSS-1I. Though the technology for rubidium clocks has been developed in India, it isnot proven yet.
IRNSS will provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Services (SPR) which is provided to all the users and Restricted Service(RS), which is an encrypted service provided only to the authorised users. The IRNSS System is expected to provide a povide a position accuracy of better than 20 m in the primary service area.
Some applications of IRNSS are :
- Terrenstrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation
- Disaster Management
- Vehicle tracking and fleet management
- Intergration with mobile phones
- precise Timing
- Mapping and Geodetic data capture
- Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers
- Visual and voice navigation for drivers
Till now, PSLV has successfully launched 52 Indian satellites and 237 custometer satellites from abroad. The 1,425 km satellite was carried tito space by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket's 'XL' variant.
