IRNSS or Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System, is a seven part satellite system developed by ISRO with a mission to provide accurate position information services over India and regions extending up to 1500 km around the country.
IRNSS-1G, scheduled for a Thursday afternoon 12.50 pm launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, is the seventh satellite that will complete the IRNSS constellation.
A PSLV-C33 rocket is expected to put into orbit the 1425-kg IRNSS-1G satellite at an altitude of 497.8 km, over 20 minutes into the flight following which the satellite will separate from the spacecraft.
Although the system can function with four satellites, a seven satellite system provides better accuracy.
A successful launch will put India into the elite group of countries with own navigational satellite system.
The first IRNSS satellite was launched in space on July 1, 2013.
The IRNSS comprises of:
.Space Segment: Constellation of 7 satellites with 3 satellites in geostationary orbit and 4 in inclined geosynchronous orbit
.Ground Segment: Responsible for navigation parameter generation and transmission, satellite control, ranging and integrity monitoring and time keeping.
Applications of IRNSS:
.Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation
.Disaster Management
.Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management
.Integration with mobile phones
.Precise timing
.Mapping and Geodetic data capture
.Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers
.Visual and voice navigation for drivers
