After PSLV-C32 lift-off from the Second Launch Pad with the ignition of the first stage, the subsequent important flight events, namely, strap-on ignitions and separations, first stage separation, second stage ignition, heat-shield separation, second stage separation, third stage ignition and separation, fourth stage ignition and satellite injection, took place as planned.
After a flight of 19 minutes 34 seconds, IRNSS-1F satellite was injected to an elliptical orbit of 284 kilometers by 20,719 kilometers inclined at an angle of 17.866 degrees to the equator (very close to the intended orbit) and successfully separated from the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle’s fourth stage.
After separation, the solar panels of IRNSS-1F were deployed automatically. The Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO’s) Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan, Karnataka, took over the control of the satellite.
In the coming days, four orbit maneuvers will be conducted from MCF to position the satellite in the Geostationary Orbit at 32.5 deg East longitude.
IRNSS-1F is the sixth of the seven satellites constituting the space segment of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, ID and IE — the first five satellites of the constellation — were successfully launched by PSLV on July 2, 2013; April 04, 2014; October 16, 2014; March 28, 2015; and Jan. 20 respectively. All five satellites are functioning satisfactorily from their designated orbital positions.
The entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is planned to be completed in this year. The seventh satellite, IRNSS-1G, is expected to be launched in the second half of this year. The full system comprises nine satellites — seven in orbit and two on the ground as standby.
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