India Tuesday launched the first of seven satellites to build its own navigation system, aiming to join a select group of countries that possess such a technology. A rocket launched by the Indian Space Research Organization placed the 1,425-kilogram satellite into orbit early Tuesday, agency chief K. Radhakrishnan said. The full constellation of seven satellites is scheduled for completion in 2016, the space agency said. Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said the launch marked an important milestone in the development of the country's space programme. India plans to send its first mission to Mars later this year, according to a report of DPA.
