IRNSS-1H launch 'unsuccessful', malfunction in 4th stage the main reason: ISRO

ISRO has scripted history by this launch as it is the first time private players were actively involved in building a full satellite.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday launched navigation satellite 'IRNSS-1H' from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch was dubbed as a failure due to problems in the fourth stage.

Minutes after the launch, ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar said that the launch was unsuccessful as the separation in the fourth stage did not pan out as expected.

"Launch mission has not succeeded. Heat shield has not separated as a result of which satellite is inside the 4th stage," ANI quoted the ISRO chief as saying.

The launch took place at 7.00 pm the Second Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The satellite was carried by ISRO workhorse PSLV (XL variant).

It is the first time private players were actively involved in building a full satellite.

The IRNSS-1H, which stands for Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, was built by a consortium led by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies under the supervision of a team consists of 70 scientists from ISRO.

The program would have given India a dedicated navigation system, serving military and civilian applications, reducing the country's reliance on systems controlled by foreign governments.

IRNSS-1H was supposed to augment the existing seven satellites of the NavIC constellation. IRNSS-1H will be a 'back-up' navigation satellite for IRNSS-1A, one of the seven satellites in the constellation, as its three rubidium atomic clocks on board had stopped functioning.

The 1,425-kilogram (3142 lb) satellite is the eighth desi satellite expected to provide ten years of service.

The new satellite boasts much-improved version of atomic clocks which ensure correctness of time and will improve synchronization of equipment on Earth.

OneIndia News