India's own Navigation Satellite System
India is working on it's own Navigation System called as NAViC. NAViC means a sailor in Sanskrit and many other Indian Language. The launch of satellites, maintenance and operations are headed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
This article includes: (feel free to jump-over to what ever interests you.)
The NAViC system makes use of both S and L signals. A messaging interface is built in the system with the help of which Controller can send the messages to a specific area. It could be used to alert the fishermen of a bad weather climate.
This article includes: (feel free to jump-over to what ever interests you.)
- Operations
- Range and Accuracy
- Cost
- When there is GPS why is India building it's own Navigation System?
- List of satellites launched till date.
- GPS vs NAViC
Operations
The NAViC system presently consists of seven constellation satellite. And two as a backup satellites. As of the date all the seven satellites are in place. After a check the system will be put in use.
The system will provide two services one for civilian use and the other for military use. The system meant for Military is encrypted, means no body can access it.
All the satellites of NAViC are at Higher Earth orbit. (About 36000km) whereas GPS are at a Medium Earth orbit.
All the satellites of NAViC are at Higher Earth orbit. (About 36000km) whereas GPS are at a Medium Earth orbit.
Congratulations to our scientists on the successful launch of navigation satellite IRNSS-1I by PSLV. This success will bring benefits of our space programme to the common man. Proud of team @isro!— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 12, 2018
Range and Accuracy
The India's own Navigation system has a range up-to 6000 km beyond it's borders. NAViC can be used upto certain parts of Africa Continent in the west and to China's East end including some areas of Australia.
The NAViC is said to have the accuracy of 20m to for civilian use and 0.1m for military use. Though the accuracy for the civilian can be increased upto 10m with the help of cellular signal.
The NAViC system makes use of both S and L signals. A messaging interface is built in the system with the help of which Controller can send the messages to a specific area. It could be used to alert the fishermen of a bad weather climate.
Cost
The NAViC was expected to be operational by 2015 but the project was delayed owiung to several reasons. One being that two of the satellites have failed. Till March 2017, NAViC has costed about 2,246 crores.
When there is GPS why is India building it's own Navigation System?
You might be wondering there is GPS available, then why is that India spending crores to build it's own system. The GPS is controlled by foreign government, and it cannot be gurateeed that India will have access to GPS system under Hostile Conditions.
The American Government back in 1999 denied India to access GPS during Kargil war. Hence India is working on it's own NAViC, a better version than GPS.
List of Satellites Launched
- IRNSS-1A - 1 July 2013 Failed in Orbit (Atomic Clock Failure)
- IRNSS-1B - 4 April 2014
- IRNSS-1C - 16 October 2014
- IRNSS-1D - 28 March 2015
- IRNSS-1E - 20 January 2016
- IRNSS-1F - 10 March 2016
- IRNSS-1G - 28 April 2016
- IRNSS-1H - 31 August 2017 Launch Failure
- IRNSS-1I - 12 April 2018
GPS vs NAViC
List of Satellites Launched
GPS vs NAViC
| GPS | NAViC | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy for Civilian use | 20m | 20m |
| Accuracy for Military use | Unknown(Classified) | 0.1m(reports) |
| Coverage | Global | Regional |
| Regime | Higher Earth orbit | Medium Earth orbit |
| Number of Satellites | 32 | 7 |
| Signal | Only L type | Both L and S type |
