India is ready to launch its fifth
navigation Satellite and the 48 hour countdown has started. The rocket
is expected to blast off at 9.31 am on 20th January. This is the first
one for 2016.
Senior Official at Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said, "The 48 hour countdown for the
launch of rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-31) carrying
Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-IRNSS-1E began in the
Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh.
Rocket
will blast off exactly at 9:31am on 20th January. So far India has
launched four regional navigational satellites (IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and ID)
as part of a constellation. The entire system comprises of nine
satellites. Out of nine, Seven will be in Orbit and two will be on the
ground. Navigation will be made possible through four satellites."
Another
report said that each Satellite costs Rs.150 Crores and the PSLV-XV
version rocket alone costs Rs.130 Crores. All seven rockets cost Rs.910
Crores. The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the
second IRNSS-1B in April 2014, the third on October 2014 and the fourth
on March 2015.