Posted: Sat, Apr 5, 2014, 12:10 PM ET (1610 GMT)
A Indian rocket launched Friday the second in a series of satellites designed to provide a satellite navigational system for the region. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 7:44 am EDT (1144 GMT, 5:14 pm Indian time) Friday and placed the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 1B satellite into an elliptical transfer orbit. The 1,432-kilogram IRNSS-1B will eventually go into service at 55 degrees east in GEO, broadcasting navigational signals. The spacecraft is the second of a planned series of seven satellites in geostationary and inclined geosynchronous orbits to provide navigational services for India and the surrounding region. Two more satellites are planned for launch in the second half of the year with the full system in orbit by 2016. The launch was also the 25th consecutive successful launch of the PSLV.

Related Links:

•  The Times of India article
•  Spaceflight Now article
•  Space News article
•  The Hindu article
•  ISRO press release