The Indian Space Research Organisation launched its sixth navigation satellite, PSLV-C32 IRNSS-1F, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on Thursday. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle will place an Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System in orbit. The IRNSS was built with an aim to provide accurate real-time positioning and timing services in India and the region extending to 1,500 km around the country, similar to the United States’ Global Positioning System.
The Mission Readiness Review Committee and Launch Authorisation Board approved the project on Tuesday. The entire IRNSS project includes seven navigation satellites – the first five satellites of the series were launched in July 2013, April 2014, October 2014, March 2015 and January 2016. The last of the series is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2016.
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