ISRO successfully launched Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from Sriharikota off the coast of Andhra Pradesh at 4:04 am today. This launch took place after 14 days of GSLV, or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, which had some technical difficulties and the GSAT that it had been heaving lost contact due to system failure. This mission has again proved to be fastest launch in the history of the organization. The mission was a success, according to ISRO, as it was able to set in the appropriate orbit. Before, the agency had tried another launch in August 2017, but it had been unsuccessful.
ISRO Chariman, Dr K Sivan said about the project, ” I am extremely happy to annuounce that the 8th navigation staellilte of India launched successfully into the NAVIC constellation. We are moving towards a major goal. This NAVIC constellation will create history.”
Seven satellites will be necessary to provide a perfect satellite based navigation. The satellite weighs 1,425 kg and was manufactured by the Alpha Design Technologies, as it collaborated with ISRO. The first IRNSS satellite that had been launched was mired in technical difficulties when the atomic clocks, that were set in it, suddenly halted, which caused the satellite to fail. This was considered a major setback and loss of resources for the agency.
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