Daily News Mail - News of 29/03/2015

India successfully launches IRNSS-1D, fourth of seven navigation satellites

• India took another step towards putting in place an alternative to the American GPS on Saturday, putting in orbit IRNSS-1D, the fourth of the seven satellites that would form a navigation satellite network.
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C27) lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 5.19pm on March 28 and placed IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System)-1D weighing 1,425kg in a sub-geostationary orbit after a 20 minutes flight.
• With the launch of IRNSS 1 D, four active satellites will be transmitting navigation signals. This meets the minimum number of satellites required for the system to be fully functional enabling a navigation receiver to compute position.
• PSLV-C27 that lifted off from the second launch pad was an `XL' version of the PSLV rocket as was the case with the previous three launches. After injection into the preliminary orbit, the two solar panels of IRNSS 1D were deployed in quick succession.
• Speaking after the launch, ISRO director A S Kiran Kumar said, "This was 28th consecutive launch that shows that we have come of age. The satellite is in orbit."
• He also said that the PSLV did four launches this financial year and it had evolved into a world class brand of excellence.
• VSSC director M Chandraduthan said that 2015 was going to be a critical year as five launches including three PSLV and one GSLV D6 are planned. "There will also be a demonstration of a reusable technology for launch vehicle. One third of ISRO is youngsters which show that the future is bright," he added.
• IRNSS 1D carries two payloads- a navigation payload and a ranging payload. The navigation payload will transmit navigation service signals to users, while the ranging payload the satellite has a C-band transponder which helps accurate determination of the range of the satellite. ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar has said that the new satellite would help a person on the ground locate his geographical position in the subcontinent.
• The first three satellites in the series were launched from Sriharikota in July 2013, April 2014 and October 2014.

Modi to join Lee's funeral along with world leaders

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join several world leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the former U.S. President Bill Clinton, at the funeral service for Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, even as India marks an official day of mourning on March 29.
• He will personally condole(express sympathy for (someone); grieve with) with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s son, at the funeral.
• Mr. Modi is accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior officials. After his return, he will begin preparations for his next international foray, a nine-day visit to Europe and Canada from April 9. On March 28, he tweeted his expectations from the visit, saying “My France, Germany and Canada visit is centred around supporting India’s economic agenda & creating jobs for our youth.”

Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister

Saina becomes World No. 1

• Saina Nehwal has what it takes to be World No. 1. She is taking over the top spot from Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui.
• With Li Xuerui — at the top for 119 weeks since December 20, 2012 — choosing not to defend the points earned in reaching the final of the Indian Open last year for being fully fit to defend her Malaysia Open title next week, the ranking points earned by Saina in reaching the final of the Indian Open here on Saturday were enough to overtake the Chinese.

Wang Yhan,Li Xuerui and Sina Nehwal(left to right) at London Olympics, 2012

DRDO to develop indigenous AWACS

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, which met on March 29, approved the development of an indigenous Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The council allocated Rs. 5,113 crore for two systems based on the A-330 aircraft, which will be procured from Airbus. Eventually, six systems will be built for use by the Air Force. In all, the DAC cleared deals estimated at Rs.7,400 crore.
• AWACS are radars mounted on an aircraft to provide seamless 360-degree coverage of the airspace. The Air Force is currently operating three Israeli Phalcons based on Russian Il-76 aircraft. In addition, the DRDO is developing two smaller Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) based on the Embraer aircraft, scheduled to be delivered this year.