IRNSS 1C successfully launche

India is just 4 satellites away from having its own GPS. 

The third in the series of seven navigational satellites, namely 'IRNSS 1C', has successfully been placed into the geosynchronous orbit.

Some Facts

• PSLV-C26 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) rocket carried it into the space from the launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh).
• The 1,425 kg satellite, originally scheduled for launch on October 10, was delayed due to some technical snag.
• The first two in the series IRNSS 1A (July 2013) and IRNSS 1B (April 2014) has already been launched.

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) : Our GPS

• Will have a total of 7 satellites in space expected by 2015 (3 in geostationary orbit and 4 in inclined geosynchronous orbit).
• Will have a range of 1500km (thus neighbouring countries like Nepal, Srilanka would also be able to use)
• Positional accuracy of better than 20 metres in the "primary service area" (i.e 1500km)

Services:

• Standard Positioning Service : Available for all users
• Restricted Service : encrypted service (only for authorised users like Military and other government agencies)

Some Applications (where it will be useful once all 7 satellites are in space):

• To provide accurate position information service to users (precise timing), disaster management, Navigation : (marine, aerial, terrestrial), aid to hikers, mountaineers, trekkers and other travellers vehicle tracking ; visual-voice navigation in driving; fleet management, mapping and geodetic data capture.

Other Navigational Satellite Systems:

• Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) : Russia,
• Global Positioning System (GPS) : United States,
• Galileo (GNSS) : European Union,
• BeiDou satellite navigation system (COMPASS) : China
• Quasi-Zenith Satellite System : Japan

ISRO Chairman :  K. Radhakrishnan