The ISRO is readying one of the two back-up navigation satellites — IRNSS-1H — to replace it in space in the second half of this year. IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013 and has an expected lifespan of 10 years.
PSLV C39 carrying IRNSS-1H scheduled for late July or early August
"IRNSS-1H on board PSLV-C39 will be launched by the end of this month. The exact date will be decided shortly," a senior ISRO official told PTI.
"The satellite is ready to move from our centre to Sriharikota on August 12 on a special vehicle for integration with the rocket at the space centre," said Annadurai on the margins of a technology event.The launch authorization board will decide on the date and time after all the checks were completed during the window for the launch schedule.
CHENNAI: India will launch a backup navigation satellite this month end as a replacement for the IRNSS-1A satellite whose three atomic clocks have failed. Reliable sources say the launch is tentatively fixed for August 31 on board PSLV-C39.
“Four satellites are enough to deliver robust navigation services. Even if IRNSS-1A is taken off the NavIC constellation, six are still operational. As per the original plan, we have two spares ready for contingency measures. So, one of them is being flown out this month,” a senior official said.
The next mission, PSLV-C39 will launch IRNSS-1H navigation satellite, on August 31, 2017. IRNSS-1H will augment the existing seven satellites of NavIC constellation.
Launch now planned for August 31source
PSLV-C39/IRNSS-1H Mission is scheduled to be launched on Aug 31, 2017 at 18:59 Hrs from SDSC SHAR, SriharikotaQuoteThe next mission, PSLV-C39 will launch IRNSS-1H navigation satellite, on August 31, 2017. IRNSS-1H will augment the existing seven satellites of NavIC constellation.
Nellore: In view of the problems that plagued the atomic clocks "highly accurate clocks that measure time in terms of vibrations in certain atoms" in one of the seven satellites of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, Indian Space Research Organisation's Satellite Application Centre is working towards ensuring that the other six satellites are not similarly affected.
The firm which supplied the clocks has updated the three atomic clocks in IRNSS-1H, which is scheduled to be launched on August 31 aboard a PSLV rocket. This satellite will replace IRNSS-1A whose atomic clocks have stopped working. According to sources, the firm had studied anomalies in the clocks along with the Isro team and found some problem with electronics. An improved version of the clock has been developed eliminating the hitch, which will be launched with the IRNSS-1H.
He said a team of scientists in Satellite Application Centre had conducted several ground tests before installing the modified clocks. Isro engineers will be moving the PSLV-C39 with the IRNSS-1H on board to the Second Launch Pad from the Vehicle Assembly Building on Sunday. The mission will be launched after a series of tests at 6.59 pm on August 31, 2017 from Satish Dhwan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota.
Isro has readied two more satellites as per original plan and one among them, IRNSS-1H, is being launched now". Asked about the snags with the atomic clocks, he said that every country had issues with navigational satellite systems at one time or the other.He said only one among the three atomic clocks would be put to use at any point of time henceforth in all the NaVIC satellites. According to the senior scientist, firms supplying critical equipment keep track of their functioning and update the technology for future missions. He added that the companies also provide replacement whenever necessary. He expressed confidence in the satisfactory functioning of the improved version of rubidium atomic clocks.