IRNSS-1E is the fifth navigation satellite of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS space segment. Its predecessors, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D were launched
by PSLV-C22, PSLV-C24, PSLV-C26 and PSLV-C27 in July 2013, April 2014, October 2014 and March 2015 respectively. IRNSS-1E has a lift-off mass of 1425 kg. The configuration
of IRNSS-1E is similar to that of IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D.
IRNSS -1E carries two types of payloads – navigation payload and ranging payload. The navigation payload of IRNSS-1E will transmit navigation service signals to
the users. This payload will be operating in L5-band and S-band. A highly accurate Rubidium atomic clock is part of the navigation payload of the satellite. The ranging
payload of IRNSS-1E consists of a C-band transponder which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. IRNSS-1E also carries Corner Cube Retro
Reflectors for laser ranging.
PSLV-C31 Successfully launches IRNSS-1E on January 20, 2016 at 09:31 Hrs (IST) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota, the spaceport of India.
Mission details:
India launched its 5th navigation satellite on Jan 20, 2016. The PSLV-XL delivered it to a subsynchronous transfer orbit. By early February it was in an
inclined synchronous orbit at 35697 x 35874 km x 28.1 deg.
IRNSS-R1C is in an near-equatorial orbit at 83E; the remainder are in the 28 degree inclined orbits, with R1A and R1B over about 55E and R1D and R1E over about 112E.