IRNSS-1E

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IRNSS-1E: India’s fifth navigation satellite

IRNSS-1E is the fifth satellite in India’s Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC. It was built to provide regional navigation, tracking, and mapping services for South Asia and to work with other global navigation systems like GPS and Galileo.

Launch and orbit
- Launched on January 20, 2016, aboard PSLV-C31 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Second Launch Pad) in Sriharikota.
- Placed in geosynchronous orbit at a longitude of 111.75°E with an inclination of about 28.09°, forming part of India's seven-satellite IRNSS constellation.

Payloads and capabilities
- Carries a navigation payload and a CDMA ranging payload, plus a laser retro-reflector.
- Transmits navigation signals in the L5 and S-band frequencies and is designed to be interoperable with GPS and Galileo.

What it’s made of
- Spacecraft bus: I-1K.
- Mass: launch mass about 1,425 kg; dry mass around 598 kg.
- Power: two solar arrays generating up to 1,660 watts.
- Designed lifetime: about 12 years.
- Operators and manufacturers: ISRO (Space Applications Centre and ISRO Satellite Centre).

Role and status
- IRNSS-1E supports India’s regional navigation system (NavIC), complementing GPS-like services for South Asia.
- In 2025, it was slated to be replaced at its slot by NVS-02, but after NVS-02’s failure, IRNSS-1E remains at its orbital position.

Quick reference
- Mission type: Navigation
- COSPAR ID: 2016-003A
- SATCAT number: 41241
- Planned mission duration: 12 years (with ongoing operation beyond this period depending on mission life)