The Indian Space Research Organisation’s official website has posted a draught of the Indian Satellite Navigation Policy – 2021 (SATNAV Policy – 2021). (ISRO).
Aim: To attain self-reliance in the satellite-based navigation and augmentation services industry in India, with a focus on ensuring availability and quality, increasing utilisation, working toward progressive service evolution, and fostering research and development.
Objective:
To meet the expanding demand for space-based navigation and timing applications in economic, strategic, and societal applications, with the goal of self-sufficiency.
In the stated coverage area, to ensure the uninterrupted availability of free-to-air navigation signals for civilian use and secured navigation signals for strategic use.
Major Highlights:
It is a substantive national policy, according to the Department of Space, to develop national infrastructure.
ISRO intends to enhance the worldwide reach of its regional satellite-based navigation system and make it interoperable with other systems like GPS (global positioning system).
ISRo intends to make the NavIC solo signal available in any area of the world, without relying on other GNSS.
Free-to-air navigation signals are available for a range of purposes.
Tracking, telematics, location-based services, automotive, survey, mapping & GIS, and timing are some of the applications available.
The draught assures guaranteed and ongoing availability of the Satellite-Based Augmentation System for aircraft safety in the stated coverage region (SBAS).
The draught secures the continued availability of NavIC and GAGAN services, as well as system upgrades and the ability to function in conjunction with other GNSS/SBAS.
Space-Based Navigation Systems:
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a generic word for a space-based navigation system that delivers global or regional positioning, navigation, and precise-time (PNT) services.
Currently, there are four GNSS systems in use:
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system that the United States owns and operates.
GLONASS is a Russian space-based satellite navigation system that serves as an alternative to GPS and is the second worldwide navigational system that is open to everybody.
Galileo: The European Space Agency built a global GNSS in 2016.
The People’s Republic of China owns and operates the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. It is made up of two satellite constellations.
There are two regional navigation satellite systems:
NavIC:
The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), often known as NavIC, is an autonomous regional navigation satellite system established by India.
It is a seven-satellite constellation. The first of them was launched in 2013, and the entire constellation was finished in 2018.
The satellite offers navigation help for India and a 1,500-kilometer radius surrounding it.
Its positioning and services are exact, precise, and real-time.
In India, new smartphones with Qualcomm chipsets produced in 2020 will be able to utilise IRNSS signals for navigation.
QZSS:
Michibiki, or the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, is a regional GNSS owned by Japan and maintained by QZS System Service.
It’s a four-satellite regional time transmission system that complements the US-run Global Positioning System in Asia-Oceania, with a concentration on Japan.