India has launched its first domestic navigation satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in the country's south.
The satellite, weighing 1,500 kilos, was carried into space by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL on Monday night. Six more satellites are set to be sent into orbit over the next couple of years, to form the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. It's expected to be very similar to the United States's GPS system, providing location and information services to both civilians and the military.
The satellite, with a lifespan of around 10 years, would also help in disaster management measures. India already has a well-established space program and has long sought to avoid relying on foreign positioning systems.