India is a step closer to developing its own Global Positioning System (GPS) like navigation system with the fourth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) set to be launched on March 9.
Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) chairman A S Kiran Kumar said, “The fourth satellite of navigation system series will be launched on March 9. In all, there will be a constellation of seven satellites launched, but once you have the fourth one in orbit, in principle, you can start position determination via receivers on ground.“
Kumar said that once the three other satellites in the series are also launched, it will be able to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1,500 km from its borders.
While GPS developed in the United States is the most popularly used service at present, Russia and China have also launched similar services. Once the project is complete, India would join this elite group of nations.
“Before March 2016, the entire constellation of satellites will be launched,“ Kumar said, adding that Isro is working at the same time to ensure capacity building in the industry so that the service will be available to people. For instance, the radio frequency front end chips would have to be developed before companies can start providing the service to users, he explained.
“Although it is unlikely, but the peril of using a foreign service is that it can be stopped. Once you have developed something of your own you can be assured of services,“ Kumar said.
The regional navigation system signal will be similar to another big project on the cards, the GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (Gagan) system that has been designed to improve navigation on flight routes.
Kumar said that the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certification for Gagan is also expected before the end of March.
Emphasizing on the need for capacity building, Kumar said that 80% of the expenditure on developing the launch vehicles had been raised through industry and, at present, Isro is trying to enable industry to become bidders for international satellite systems, which come in useful for building Indian satellites as well.
Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) chairman A S Kiran Kumar said, “The fourth satellite of navigation system series will be launched on March 9. In all, there will be a constellation of seven satellites launched, but once you have the fourth one in orbit, in principle, you can start position determination via receivers on ground.“
Kumar said that once the three other satellites in the series are also launched, it will be able to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1,500 km from its borders.
While GPS developed in the United States is the most popularly used service at present, Russia and China have also launched similar services. Once the project is complete, India would join this elite group of nations.
“Before March 2016, the entire constellation of satellites will be launched,“ Kumar said, adding that Isro is working at the same time to ensure capacity building in the industry so that the service will be available to people. For instance, the radio frequency front end chips would have to be developed before companies can start providing the service to users, he explained.
“Although it is unlikely, but the peril of using a foreign service is that it can be stopped. Once you have developed something of your own you can be assured of services,“ Kumar said.
The regional navigation system signal will be similar to another big project on the cards, the GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (Gagan) system that has been designed to improve navigation on flight routes.
Kumar said that the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certification for Gagan is also expected before the end of March.
Emphasizing on the need for capacity building, Kumar said that 80% of the expenditure on developing the launch vehicles had been raised through industry and, at present, Isro is trying to enable industry to become bidders for international satellite systems, which come in useful for building Indian satellites as well.
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