Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) : Recently, in a move to strengthen  India’s indigenous navigation capabilities, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced plans to launch three new satellites for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) by 2026.

o The first satellite in the upcoming series, NVS-03, is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025. The subsequent satellites, NVS-04 and NVS-05, are expected to follow in six-month intervals, bringing the navigation fleet closer to its intended capacity.

• About IRNSS : Also known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), is an indigenous, standalone navigation system developed by ISRO. Operational since 2018, it is fully under Indian control, including the space, ground, and user segments.

o Aims to reduce reliance on foreign satellite navigation systems, particularly in strategic and defence sectors.

• Key Features : Satellite Constellation: 7 satellites (3 in Geostationary Orbit , 4 in Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit).

o Ground Segment: Includes control centres, monitoring stations, timing facilities, and ranging stations.

o Service Area: Primary: India and region up to 1500 km from its borders.

- Extended: Between 30° S to 50° N latitude and 30° E to 130° E longitude.

o Services Provided: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) – for all users.

- Restricted Service (RS) – encrypted, for authorised users only.

• Significance and Need : Strategic Autonomy: Ensures independent navigation capability, crucial during conflicts (e.g., GPS denial during Kargil War).

o Civilian Utility: Supports accurate navigation for aviation, transport, maritime, agriculture, and public services.

o Disaster Management: Aids in real-time location tracking for effective disaster response and risk reduction.

• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) include: GPS – United States, GLONASS – Russia, Galileo – European Union & BeiDou – China