NavIC, the Indian Constellation Navigation System, is a dedicated regional satellite navigation system crafted to deliver precise positioning data within the Indian region and a radius of 1500 km around its mainland. It offers two distinct services: Standard Positioning Services, accessible to all users, and Restricted Services, exclusively available to authorized users. India’s NavIC is an independent navigation satellite system developed by ISRO becoming operational in 2018.
Its Applications include
- Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation.
- Disaster Management.
- Vehicle tracking and fleet management.
- Integration with mobile phones.
- Precise Timing.
- Mapping and Geodetic data capture.
- Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers.
- Visual and voice navigation for drivers.
How many satellites does NavIC consist of?
The regional system will consist of seven satellites, with three geostationary over the Indian Ocean and four geosynchronous. This setup ensures that each satellite is tracked by at least one of fourteen ground stations at any given time, increasing visibility across India.
Significance
- National security
- Reliability
- Accuracy
- Disaster management
- South Asian and Regional cooperation
Read also: Milestones in India’s Space Programme
