Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the last two of the seven constellational satellites by March 31. The satellites -- 1 F and 1 G -- of theIndian Regional Navigation Satellite System will be ready for launch before March end, said Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre here on Saturday.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in a private school here, the ISROscientist said the Rs.1,350 crore IRNSS project has a total of 9satellites, with 7 satellites on the orbit and 2 satellites as stand-by.
According to Dr. Annadurai, once the final satellites are launched, the IRNSS would place India on a par with the US that ruled the orbit with its advanced American Navigation Satellite System. Tracing the timeline of the IRNSS project, Dr.Mylswamy said the first satellite 1 A was launched in 2013, followed by satellites 1 B and 1 C in 2014; 1 D in 2015 and 1 E in January this year. On ISRO’s successful Mars Probe Mangalyan, he hinted at a possible order that will allow outsiders (foreign scientists and research institutions) to use the Mars Orbiter Mission for their research. “An order to that effect is likely to be released soon,” he said.
