Glitch delays Isro navigation satellite launch by a fortnight

A glitch in one of the electro-hydraulic control actuators in the second stage of the launch vehicle has forced the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to postpone the launch of India’s maiden navigation satellite — IRNSS-1A — by a fortnight.

IRNSS-1A, the first in the series of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation, was to be launched 1.01 am on June 12 aboard the PSLV-C22.

“The satellite has gone through all electrical checks and is ready for propellant-filling. However, during the electrical checks of the launch vehicle, an anomaly was discovered in one of the electro-hydraulic control actuators in the second stage. It has been decided to replace this actuator,” Isro said in an official release.

Stating that it would take about two weeks for the replacement of the actuator, officials said that the launch has now been rescheduled to June 26 from Sriharikota, near Chennai.

The 1,425-kg navigational satellite is intended to provide terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation services and help in disaster and fleet management across the region.

Isro Chairman K Radhakrishanan had said that the agency planed to put in space about seven satellites as part of the constellation in the first phase, and that the number could be increased in future.

The constellation will provide two kinds of services: standard positioning service for civilian use and restricted service.

The navigational satellites will provide an accurate real-time position, navigation, time (PNT) services to users in air, sea and land on a variety of platforms under all weather conditions.