Description

Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)

NavIC: India's Self-Reliant Navigation System for Enhanced Security and Innovation. To meet the positioning, navigation and timing requirements of the nation, ISRO has established a regional navigation satellite system called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).

Description: Discover how India's NavIC satellite system empowers self-reliance, boosts security, and fuels innovation in diverse industries.

NavIC, or Navigation with Indian Conastellation, is an independent stand-alone navigation satellite system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

NavIC consists of eight satellites and covers the whole of India’s landmass and up to 1,500 km (930 miles) from its boundaries.

NavIC is designed with a constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24 x 7. Three satellites of the constellation are placed in geostationary orbit and four satellites are placed in inclined geosynchronous orbit with equatorial. The ground network consists of control centre, precise timing facility, range and integrity monitoring stations, two-way ranging stations, etc.

How does NavIC compare?

The main difference is the serviceable area covered by these systems. GPS caters to users across the globe and its satellites circle the earth twice a day, while NavIC is currently for use in India and adjacent areas.

Like GPS, there are three more navigation systems that have a global coverage – Galileo from the European Union, Russia-owned GLONASS, and China’s Beidou. QZSS, operated by Japan, is another regional navigation system covering the Asia-Oceania region, with a focus on Japan.

NavIC is conceived with the aim of removing dependence on foreign satellite systems for navigation service requirements, particularly for “strategic sectors.”

Few applications:

• Transportation (terrestrial, aerial and marine)

• Location based services

• Personal mobility

• Resource monitoring

• Surveying and geodesy

• Scientific research

• Time dissemination and synchronisation

• Safety-of-life alert dissemination

The government is promoting NavIC for Indian companies to:

• Reduce dependence on GPS

• Enable better control of homeland and international border security

• Fulfill the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India)

• Offer improved navigation security to fishermen, police, military, and air/water transport, especially during cyclones

• Encourage drone usage for logistics

• Simplify use of navigational technologies required to implement GATI Shakti Plan and National Logistics Policy

• Expand footprint in Asian and global geographies

NavIC would be advantageous not only to the government but it could be leveraged by various industry sectors and stakeholders in the value chain. Considering the focus on the domestic market, the outlook for NavIC adoption in the Indian market appears optimistic.

How to Prepare for IAS |  FAQs on UPSC | Up-to-date Current Affairs | Latest Videos & Updates | Article: What is GI Tag?