Prez, VP and PM greet scientists on achievement
AMN /
In another major scientific achievement, India today successfully put into orbit its seventh and final navigation satellite called IRNSS-1G with its own rocket. On the historic occasion at the Indian space centre, PSLV C33 rocket carried the seventh satellite of the IRNSS series precisely at 12:50 this afternoon. The 1425 kilogram satellite was ejected by the launch vehicle around 20 minutes after take off.
President Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO on the successful launch of PSLV-C33 carrying IRNSS-1G. In his message to Chairman of ISRO A.S. Kiran Kumar, Mr Mukherjee said, the launch of PSLV-C33 is an important landmark in the country’s space programme with India now joining the small group of nations having their own regional satellite navigation system. He said, it demonstrates, yet again, India’s growing capabilities in space launch technology. He said, the nation is proud of this achievement.
Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari has also congratulated the ISRO for the achievement. In his message, Mr Ansari said, the flawless launch has again demonstrated India’s capabilities in the space sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the entire team of ISRO scientists and the nation for the successful launch. Speaking to the scientists from New Delhi, Mr Modi said, with the launch, India will determine its own paths powered by its technology. He said, in space science, Indian scientists have achieved many accomplishments. He said, lives of people can be transformed through space science.
The Prime Minister said, till now India was dependent on other countries for GPS but now due to the satellite it has become self dependent. Mr Modi said, it will also help in disaster management. He said, the new technology will benefit the nation’s people especially the fishermen. Mr Modi announced that the world will know it as NAVIC. The Prime Minister said, fellow SAARC nations can also benefit from it. He said, India has launched seven such navigation satellites which have been successful. Mr Modi said, it is example of Make in India, made in India and made for Indians.
The constellation of the Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is similar to GPS (global positioning system) of the US, Glonass of Russia, and Galileo of Europe as well as China’s Beidou. India can take pride in formally joining the select group of nations once IRNSS is declared operational after checking the systems-space (satellites), ground (ground stations) and the user end signal receivers.
Only on declaration of the system as operational, user end signal receiver makers will seriously get into manufacture of the equipment for use at the retail end. The system will provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km. The full system comprises of nine satellites seven in orbit and two on the ground as stand-by.
The applications of IRNSS are: terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, vehicle tracking and fleet management, terrestrial navigation for hikers and travellers, disaster management, integration with mobile phones, mapping and geodetic data capture and visual and voice navigation for drivers.