Navigation satellite set for launch

India's first dedicated navigation satellite, IRNSS-1A, is all set for the launch on board PSLV-C22 racket at 11.41 pm on July 1 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The IRNSS-1A is one of the seven satellites constituting the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) space segment. With navigation and ranging payloads, it will provide accurate positional information to users as well as the entire region, extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary.M Y S Prasad, SHAR Director, told the media that the satellite was made totally with indigenous technology. He said Russia, China and the US had already launched such satellites. Referring to the likely postponement of the launch, he stated that a technical snag in the second stage had led to the change in the plan from June 12 to July 1. Prasad explained that the satellite would start sending signals a week after it was put in the orbit. It is capable of providing information on the location of vehicles, ships and aircraft up to 1,500 km range in the country. The IRNSS-1A weighs about 1,425 kg and its life span is around ten years.He said SHAR had plans to launch GSAT-14 through GSLV-D5 from the second launch pad on August 6.

ISRO chief offers prayers at Tirumala Tirumala: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala here on Sunday prior to the launch of PSLV-C22, which is scheduled for a July 1 lift off from Sriharikota. Upon his arrival at the temple, he was accorded a warm welcome by the temple officials and priests. After having a darshan of the Lord, temple Deputy Executive Officer Chinnamgari Ramana presented prasadam to the ISRO Chairman at Ranganayakula Mandapam on the temple premises. Peishkar R Selvam, temple staff and others were present on the occasion.