ISRO gears up to launch second navigation satellite
IRNSS 1B Satellite positioned atop PSLV-C24’s
fourth stage at Sriharikota. Photo: ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is
looking forward to the liftoff of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
PSLV-C24 from Sriharikota at 5.14 p.m. today.
After
more than 19 minutes of flight, if the PSLV-C24 puts India’s navigation
satellite, called the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
(IRNSS-1B), into a perfect orbit, applause will echo across the Mission
Control Centre. More so, because it will be the 25th consecutive
successful launch of a PSLV, the ISRO’s trusty workhorse.
This
launch vehicle is the PSLV’s XL version, armed with more powerful
strap-on booster motors than in the standard PSLV, which will put the
1,432-kg IRNSS-1B into its orbit.
The IRNSS-1B is
India’s second dedicated navigation satellite. The first, IRNSS-1A, was
put into orbit on July 1 last year. All the seven satellites, which form
the IRNSS, will be in orbit by 2016.
“The countdown
is proceeding as per the timeline, without any issues,” said M.Y.S.
Prasad, Director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on Thursday.
The
countdown, which will last 58 hours and a half, began at 6.44 a.m. on
April 2. By Thursday afternoon, the PSLV-C24’s fourth stage was
accurately filled with liquid propellants and the lower stage control
systems with solid propellants.
“From 11 p.m. on
Thursday till the early morning of Friday, we will fill the rocket’s
second stage with more than 41 tonnes of liquid propellants. Then, other
operations such as filling the launch vehicle with pressurised gas will
be done,” said Dr. Prasad. During the countdown’s final phase, the
rocket’s electronic systems will be tested.
Courtesy with THE HINDU
No comments:
Post a Comment