India launches eighth navigation satellite

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) Aug 31 (IANS) The Indian Space Research Organisation on Thursday launched India s eighth navigation satellite IRNSS-1H.

The 1 425 kg IRNSS-1H satellite - part of Indian satellite navigation system NavIC or originally called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) - was carried by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket s XL variant on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.

The IRNSS-1H is a replacement for one of the navigation satellites.

Simply put NavIC is Indian `GPS .

At around 7 p.m. the four stage/engine PSLV-XL rocket standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing 321 tonne blasted off from the second launch pad at Sriharikota with a bright orange fire at its tail lighting up the night sky.

--IANS
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