India's space agency to launch country's own satellite navigation system

India will launch the first stage of its domestic satellite navigation network which will eventually provide services both to civilians and the military and is similar to the US Global Positioning System.

Photo courtesy: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Weighing 1,425 kg the first navigation satellite - IRNSS-1A – will be launched from its spaceport at Sriharikota using its rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL).

Photo courtesy: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

The first of seven satellites will be carried into space as part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), just months after China inaugurated its own domestic satellite navigation system.

Photo courtesy: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

IRNSS will provide commercial and public navigational services such as helping with disaster management as well as movements of India's military, including those of ships and aircraft. Photo courtesy: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

The IRNSS system comprises of two segments - the space and the ground. The space segment consists of seven satellites of which three will be in geo-stationary orbit and four in inclined geo-synchronous orbit.

Photo courtesy: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

The estimated cost of the project is 14.2 billion rupees ($238.6 million).

Photo courtesy: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

India has a well-established space programme which is a source of strong national pride, but its cost has attracted criticism as the government struggles to tackle poverty and child malnutrition.The estimated cost of the project is 14.2 billion rupees ($238.6 million).

Photo courtesy: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)