India is ready to launch its fifth navigation Satellite and the 48 hour countdown has started. The rocket is expected to blast off at 9.31 am on 20th January. This is the first one for 2016.
Senior Official at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said, "The 48 hour countdown for the launch of rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-31) carrying Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-IRNSS-1E began in the Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh.
Rocket will blast off exactly at 9:31am on 20th January. So far India has launched four regional navigational satellites (IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and ID) as part of a constellation. The entire system comprises of nine satellites. Out of nine, Seven will be in Orbit and two will be on the ground. Navigation will be made possible through four satellites."
Another report said that each Satellite costs Rs.150 Crores and the PSLV-XV version rocket alone costs Rs.130 Crores. All seven rockets cost Rs.910 Crores. The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the second IRNSS-1B in April 2014, the third on October 2014 and the fourth on March 2015.
