ISRO To Launch IRNSS 1D, Its Fourth Navigation Satellite On March 9

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the IRNSS 1D satellite on March 9, 2015. The 59 hour long countdown for the launch will begin on March 7. IRNSS, which stands for the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System is India's own system for navigational services. ISRO's engineers have already succeeded in putting IRNSS 1A, 1B and 1C satellites into their respective geostationary orbits in Indian space.

The IRNSS system is one of its kind system designed to be totally under control of the Indian government. Learning its lessons during Kargil War, the Indian government has understood that in hostile situations the GPS system (owned by the USA) won't be very reliable. The IRNSS system therefore, is being developed with a funding of Rs. 1400+ crores from the government to provided two types of services: one for the civilian use and a more restricted and encrypted service to be used by the military. The system will provide accurate navigational service in area extending 1500 - 2000 km around Indian borders.


As of now, the satellite has been tested and attached to the rockets. Full pre-launch test will be conducted tomorrow and the entire system will be shifted to the second launch pad on March 4th. The launch has been planned on March 9 at about 6:35 pm, reports #-Link-Snipped-#.

ISRO is aiming to have all the seven satellites in their respective orbits in this year itself. Once ready, India will join the elite club of countries with their own navigation system viz. Russia (GLONASS), USA (GPS), European Union (GNSS) and China (BeiDou & Quasi-Zenith Satellite System). We'll keep you posted with all the updates. Stay tuned, fingers crossed!