Isro's navigational satellite to be launched today

[Sourya Kharb]

SRIHARIKOTA, ANDHRA PRADESH: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV C-24, is scheduled to be launched on Friday at 5.14 pm from the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

After successful rehearsal on Tuesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has started the countdown on Wednesday morning. Isro officials said the countdown process has been going on smoothly and added that the propellant filling process is taking place simultaneously.

The 1432 kg satellite will be placed in orbit 19 minutes after take off from Sriharikota.

This satellite will be used for developing and strengthening the independent navigational system in the country and will provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as for the region extending upto 1500 km from its boundary.

After America, Russia, Europe, China and Japan, India would become the sixth country to aspire for such a system.