IRNSS-1H, the eighth satellite of the IRNSS constellation will be launched on 31st August, 2017 at 18:59 Hrs IST from SHAR, Sriharikota using PSLV-C39 launch vehicle.
IRNSS-1H is a replacement satellite that will replace IRNSS-1A, the first satellite of the constellation. The latter became redundant after the failure of its all three atomic clocks onboard. The satellite was launched on 1 July, 2013 using PSLV-C22 rocket. The redundant satellite will continue to function but the data sent by it will be coarse, thus of no use. The mission life of each of the satellite was 10 years. Failure in just 4 years raised some serious concerns regarding the ambitious program.
It is being said that ISRO has replaced the atomic clocks in IRNSS-1H with the ones from a different vendor. The clocks were supplied by Spectratime, a Swiss firm and market leader in manufacturing of such instruments.
The NAVIC(Navigation with Indian Constellation) system, similar to the GPS and GLONASS provides navigation facilities with an accuracy of 10 meters to public users and 0.1 meters for military(restricted usage).
In picture, IRNSS-1H in a clean room in SDSC SHAR
Image Credits: ISRO
