ISRO launches India's first navigation satellite

India has on last night, successfully launched one of the seven satellites planned to boost up navigational system and information services. ISRO, at 11: 41 pm, blasted a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)- C22 from Sriharikota Island located at India's east coast to carry it.

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS-1A) is aimed to provide accurate data on navigation of vehicles, flights and ships that could extend upto 1,500 kilometers from the Indian border. It would offer Standard Positioning Service (SPS) to all users and encryption-based Restricted Service (RS) to enforcement agencies only.

The IRNSS-1A will be positioned at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. It will provide accurate navigation for mapping, disaster management, fleet management, mobile phone tracking, and voice navigation for drivers.

"We're extremely happy, that we had another excellent flight- the 23rd successful flight of the PSLV," said ISRRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan, soon after the launch. The IRNSS satellite has an expected life span of close to 10 years.

"It has been precisely injected into its intended orbit. With this, we have entered a new era of space applications," added Radhakrishnan. ISRO is planning to launch the full constellation by 2015.

The IRNSS is intended to provide an alternative to the services currently available through the US Global Positioning System (GPS) and Russia's GLONASS for navigational needs.