The launch of the first satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), scheduled for June 12 from Sriharikota, has been postponed by 14 days after an anomaly was discovered just 11 days before launch.
The satellite IRNSS-1A, which would be the first in a series of seven navigation satellites was scheduled to be launched on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C22 at 1.01 am on June 12.
The satellite has undergone its pre-launch checks successfully. However, ISRO said the launch vehicle had an anomaly in one electro-hydraulic control actuators.
“During the electrical checks of the launch vehicle, an anomaly was observed in one of the electro-hydraulic control actuators in the second stage. It has been decided to replace this actuator,” a statement by ISRO said.
Officials added that the replacement of the actuator would take two weeks and it would be carried out at the launch pad and vehicle assembly area.
The satellite launch has now been scheduled for June 26. ISRO had recently unveiled a new navigation centre at Byalalu on the outskirts of Bangalore which would be the nerve centre of the IRNSS system.
The centre would be responsible for gathering data from around 20 different stations and would also serve as a secure time centre for the mission.