Countdown begins for PSLV-C31 launch

Sriharikota: The 48-hour countdown for the launch of the rocket PSLV-C31 began on Monday morning at 0931 hours at Sriharikota.

The senior scientists of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) gave their approval for the countdown to begin after a thorough review of the preparedness at the spaceport. The rocket will carry the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite Systems, IRNSS-1E at the same time on Wednesday.

It is the fifth in the series of seven satellites meant for navigation system. The system will be the Indian equivalent of the Global Positioning System GPS and provide road, air and maritime navigation services over a vast area when all the seven satellites are made operational.

The PSLV-C31 will be the first mission to be undertaken by ISRO this year. Its passenger IRNSS-1E will be complementing the four other satellites of its class that are already in operation in space. The ISRO has said two more satellites under the system would be made functional by the end of March this year.