ISRO is all set to launch IRNSS-1H navigation satellite

Moving another step forward in the space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation is all set to launch PSLV-C39 carrying Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS-1H) on Thursday with the 29-hour countdown for the lift off started at 2 pm on Wednesday.

ISRO sources here told Deccan Herald that after getting clearance from the Mission Readiness Review (MRR) committee and Launch Authorisation Board (LAB), the countdown of PSLV-C39/IRNSS-1H started at 14:00 hrs today.

The launch will take place at 7 pm on Thursday from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota, about 100 km from north Chennai.ISRO's most trusted work horse PSLV, in its forty-first flight (PSLV-C39), will carry and put the 1,425 kg IRNSS-1H into the required orbit.

Like its other IRNSS predecessors, IRNSS-1H also carries two types of payloads such as navigation payload and ranging payload.The navigation payload of IRNSS-1H will transmit navigation service signals to the users. This payload will be operating in L5-band and S-band. Highly accurate rubidium atomic clocks are part of the navigation payload of the satellite.

The ranging payload of IRNSS-1H consists of a C-band transponder, which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. IRNSS-1H also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging.