Stage set for launch of IRNSS-1G tomorrow

India will move closer to having its own navigation satellite system when The seventh and last in the series of the constellation of Regional Navigation Satellite System with this launch.

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System comprising seven satellites would be able to provide navigation system with much better accuracy and targeted position.

While four satellites would be sufficient to start operations of the IRNSS system, the remaining three would make it "more accurate and efficient".

ISRO had launched the sixth navigation satellite IRNSS-1F on March 10, the other five being IRNSS-1A on July 1, 2013, IRNSS-1B (April 4, 2014), IRNSS-1C (October 16, 2014), IRNSS-1D (March 28, 2015) and IRNSS-1E (January 20, 2016).

Countdown operations are progressing normally and everything is ready for the launch (scheduled for tomorrow), ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar told reporters at airport.

According to ISRO officials, the total cost of all the seven satellites was Rs 1,420 crore. Soon after the Mission Readiness Review Committee and the Launch Authorisation Board gave its approval on Monday, the 51.30-hour countdown for the launch of IRNSS-1G began at 09.20 hours yesterday and was "progressing smoothly" for the launch scheduled for tomorrow from the first launch pad at Sriharikota by 12.50pm.

• IRNSS-1G
• satellite launch
• seventh