The Indian geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) launched on May 29, carrying the first of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) second-generation navigation satellites. This brings the NavIC satellite total to nine.
The GSLV, dubbed NVS-01, has a mission life of 12 years and features an indigenous rubidium atomic clock developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Space Applications Centre.
The NVS series satellites will sustain and augment the NavIC with enhanced features, including payloads that operate on L1, L5, and S-bands.
There are eight first-generation NavIC satellites on orbit: IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D, IRNSS-1E, IRNSS-1F, IRNSS-1G and IRNSS-1I. NVS-01 will become the ninth if the mission is successful.
GSLV-F12/NVS-01 Mission:
GSLV F12’s 🚀
thunderous roar into the skies…..
Turn up the volume 🔊🔊
to enjoy this tracking 📽️ by our colleagues
at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota! pic.twitter.com/XZeE5LWgKW
A replacement satellite for NavIC, India’s navigation constellation, was successfully launched April 11 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
In its 43rd flight, the India Space Research Organization’s (ISRO’s) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C41 propelled the 1,425-kilogram IRNSS-1I Navigation Satellite into orbit.
PSLV-C41 lifted off at 0404 hrs (4:04 a.m.) IST, as planned, from the spaceport’s First Launch Pad. After a flight lasting about 19 minutes, the vehicle achieved a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 281.5 km and an apogee of 20,730 km inclined at an angle of 19.2 degrees to the equator, following which IRNSS-1I separated from PSLV.
After separation, the solar panels of IRNSS-1I were deployed automatically. ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan, Karnataka, took over the control of the satellite. In the coming days, orbit maneuvers will be performed from MCF to position the satellite at 55 degrees East longitude in the planned geosynchronous orbit with an inclination of 29 degrees to the equator.
IRNSS-1I is the latest member of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. NavIC, also known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1500 kilometers around the Indian mainland.
A number of ground facilities responsible for IRNSS satellite ranging and monitoring, generation and transmission of navigation parameters, satellite control and network timing have been established in many locations across the country as part of NavIC.
Another navigation satellite is scheduled to join India’s NavIC constellation this week. IRNSS-1I is on the launchpad, with launch set for Thursday, April 12, at 04:04 (IST), according to the India Space Research Organization (ISRO).
All three rubidium atomic clocks on IRNSS-1A have failed. A replacement satellite, IRNSS-1H, was launched on Aug. 31, 2017, but was not successfully deployed. This satellite, IRNSS-1I, is also a replacement satellite for IRNSS-1A.
Satellite IRNSS-1I will be the eighth satellite to join the NavIC constellation (formerly IRNSS). The satellite will be launched from First Launch Pad (FLP) of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota, using India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its 43rd flight (PSLV-C41) in XL configuration. The XL configuration is being used for the 20th time.
IRNSS-1I undergoes testing at the Compact Antenna Test Facility. (Photo: ISRO)
IRNSS-1I’s predecessors — IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F and 1G — were launched by PSLV-C22, PSLV-C24, PSLV-C26, PSLV-C27, PSLV-C31, PSLV-C32 and PSLV-C33 in July 2013, April 2014, October 2014, March 2015, January 2016, March 2016 and April 2016 respectively. See the GPS World Almanac for details on the constellation.
Like all other IRNSS satellites, IRNSS-1I also has a lift-off mass of 1425 kilograms. The configuration of IRNSS-1I is similar to IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F and 1G.
Like its IRNSS predecessors, IRNSS-1I also carries two types of payloads — navigation and ranging. The navigation payload of IRNSS-1I transmits signals for the determination of position, velocity and time. This payload is operating in L5-band and S-band. Rubidium atomic clocks are part of the navigation payload of the satellite.
The ranging payload of IRNSS-1I consists of a C-band transponder, which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. It also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for LASER Ranging.
The Indian geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) launched on May 29, carrying the first of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) second-generation navigation satellites. This brings the NavIC satellite total to nine.
