India’s Regional Navigation System Will Soon Get Another Satellite To Improve Its Accuracy

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch another satellite to replace the faulty IRNSS-1A in the Indian Navigation Satellite Constellation (NavIC), The Hindu has reported.

IRNSS-1A had failed due to deficiencies in three atomic clocks that are required to provide accurate positional information to users on earth. Earlier, ISRO had attempted to replace the faulty satellite by launching IRNSS-1H. The satellite failed after it got stuck inside the rocket's heat shield. Therefore, the upcoming launch will be ISRO’s second attempt to replace the satellite with faulty atomic clocks. The satellite, the daily’s report said, could be launched in March end or April.

Talking to the daily, ISRO chairman K Sivan has said that NavIC is already functioning as four satellites are sufficient for navigation, and the agency has already put in place six fully working satellites. More satellites, he said, would give the system the capability to provide more accurate information.

“The plan is to land on the moon’s south pole during the day and one moon day is 14 earth days. Which means we have this window of 14 days each month for the mission. But both the earth and the moon are moving. Hence the question of visibility and varying power requirements,” Sivan said.

As for the mission, the orbiter, lander and the rover are getting ready as individual missions. They should be integrated and tested. Since it is a maiden attempt for us, there’s some uncertainty. Therefore, just in case something needs an upgrade, and we miss this clear visibility window in April, our next chance will be in October. But the activities are in full steam targeting April,” he added.

He also mentioned that the space agency is developing a hypersonic reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator that could be ready in a year or two.