IRNSS-1E : Fifth Navigational Satellite

IRNSS-1E : Fifth Navigational Satellite

PSLV-C31

On Wednesday morning, Jan 20th 2016, ISRO successfully launched and placed its fifth Satellite(IRNSS-1E) of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS into orbit using PSLV-C31 from Satish Dhawan Space Center(SDSC).

The other four satellites IRNSS-1A,IRNSS-1B,IRNSS-1C,IRNSS-1D has been successfully launched by PSLV-C22,PSLV-C24,PSLV-C26,PSLV-C27 on 1st July 2013,4th April 2014,16th Oct 2014,and 28th March 2015 respectively.

Stating the mission as successful  ISRO chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said:"PSLV C-31 rocket has successfully launched IRNSS-IE satellite in orbit,". SDSC director termed it as a new year gift for India.

The configuration of IRNSS-1E is similar to that of IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D.IRNSS-1E will have two payloads:a navigation payload and the CDMA ranging payload in addition with a laser retro reflector which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. The satellite is powered by two solar arrays,which generate power up to 1660 watts and has designed lifetime of 12 years.

Highlights

What is IRNSS?

              IRNSS  stands for Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS is an indigenously designed  and developed Navigational Satellite System by ISRO that is used to provide accurate real-time positioning and timing services over India and region extending 1500km around India.
The full deployed IRNSS system consists of 3 satellite in Geostationary orbit(GEO) at 32.5 deg East, 83.0 deg East and 131.5 deg East Longitude over the Indian Ocean and other four in Geosynchronous Orbit(GSO) approx 36000 km above earth surface. Out of four two of GSO will cross the equator at 55deg East and remaining two at 111.75 deg East Though full system consists of nine including 2 on ground as stand by. With the launches of IRNSS- 1E, it is expected that remaining two satellite will be deployed and being operational from mid- 2016.  A network of 21 ranging stations located across the country will provide data  for orbital determination of the satellites and monitoring of the navigational system.
Such arrangement would mean all the seven satellite would have continuous radio visibility with the Indian Control station.

Why we need navigational Satellite System?

The requirement of such navigation system is felt because access to foreign govt.controlled  global navigation system is not guaranteed during hostile situation, as happened to Indian Military during Kargil War. The IRNSS will provide two services, with the standard positioning service open for public and the restricted service for authorised users only. The system intended to provide absolute position accuracy better than 10m throughout Indian Landmass and 20m throughout Indian Ocean.

With the completion of setting up all satellites into orbit, India will be among few countries having their own navigational system.

-S@njeev

Pathankot Attack:One more setback

Attack on the IAF Base Pathankot

New year doesn't start well for India as at least six terrorist attack  the IAF base at Pathankot in Punjab resulting Seven service personnel death and at least thrice injured. Search operation is still on.

Subedar and honorary captain Fateh Singh

Pathankot is one of the major frontline base on the western front situated about 40km from Indo-Pak international border and is home of one of the major fighter plane(Mig 21) and helicopters.

As per report, terrorist crossed border on 31st December 2015 and managed to hijack the official Vehicle of S.P(Gurudaspur) when he was returning from shrine from Pathankot with two other. They were in Army fatigues. Later they killed one of them and threw them from moving vehicle.

Later S.P informed control room and senior authority about the possible terrorist attack, but initially they did not take seriously until intelligence agency intercept calls from S.P mobile, which was taken by terrorist, to Pakistan. They acted quickly and alerted the state and central govt. about the possible attack on Pathankot Base. 

Yet despite of high alert, terrorist managed to enter the IAF base and engage the security establishment comprising Army , IAF, NSG for more than 3 days. First attack was started on midnight of 1st and 2nd january.  Even 24hrs after attack, intelligence failed to identify the possible numbers of terrorist crossed border and number of attacker into the IAF base. This shows that terrorist have full idea about the base security and weakness and came fully prepared.

Once they attack the base, they managed to engage the elite NSG and Guard Commando for more than 3 days. This shows that the level of their training and motivation, which is not good news anyway.

Just consider what would have been happen if they had not abducted S.P's car and used his mobile to contact their bosses. Even after abducting and releasing S.P and his colleague, they roamed freely for more than 24 hrs and security agency had no clue about their whereabouts . Group of 6 terrorist managed to dodge security personnel and agencies for more than 24hrs before mounting attack on the base. Next time, may be they did not make such mistake and give so much time for being ready.

Now as the operation is almost over,there is need to analyse the situation where govt., agencies and security forces failed. The government is responding to its usual way  that "we will give befitting reply" . But they almost forgot that terrorist sneaked in our own country and kill our own people. Every time they attack we lose some precious life. Govt claimed that the IAF base is secure and operation is successful. But this is not enough to say when we have a body count higher the terrorist who sneaked in. May be India is the only country in the world where soldiers die more during peace time than war. 

When security forces were fighting with the infiltrators, Political parties were busy with their blame game and Media channel were busy with their TRP game and telecasted the footage of the conflict zone. Its seems that both(Political parties and Media channel) had not learned anything from 26/11. Instead of supporting and standing united they were blaming one another.

I don't understand when they stand united for country .

Now, some question are in mind :

• Even after alert by S.P about possible terrorist on loose, why didn't senior official take him seriously.
• Even after the alert of Intelligence security personals failed to decrease the causality.
• When did political parties sideline their political gain and became serious about the terrorism.

Every year we lose many lives due to the negligence of their wills.

Lets hope that now they will be serious on this issue and stand united.