Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images SRIHARIKOTA, Jan. 21, 2016-- PSLV-C31 rocket of Indian Space Research Organisation carrying IRNSS-1E satellite lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India, Jan. 20, 2016. India Wednesday successfully launched its fifth navigation satellite from the spaceport of Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. (Xinhua/ISRO via Getty Images)

On Thursday, India's space agency ISRO launched the satellite IRNSS-G1 with the help of the PSLV-C33 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The navigational satellite launched from Andhra Pradesh's Sri Hari Kota will become the final piece of the puzzle for India's own GPS (Global Positioning System). Here is all you need to know about the Indian GPS.

What is Indian GPS?

With IRNSS-G1, India will now have a total of seven satellites which will help scientists build a strong navigational network. Indian GPS is officially called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) or Navigation with Indian Constellation (NAVIC) as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi After the launch. The system will consist of a total of 9 satellites. Seven in the orbit and two on the ground as stand-bys.

When will it be functional?

Right now ISRO's mission control center will work on aligning the newly launched IRNSS-G1. After that tuning and synchronization of all seven satellites with the ground control center along with their relative positioning will be done for three or four months. Once the tests are successful ISRO will declare the GPS system open for manufacturers and developers to work on.

“The IRNSS is a new system. We will wait and see how the market evolves so that we can decide on getting into manufacturing of the receivers,” S.Rangarajan, CEO of Chennai-based Data Patterns (India) Pvt Ltd, told IANS.