The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has given a significant nod to India’s independent regional navigation satellite system, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). In a virtual meeting during its 102nd session, the organisation recognised IRNSS as a part of the World Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS). The IMO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, is entrusted with maintaining safety and security in shipping and preventing marine and atmospheric pollution caused by ships.
India Joins An Elite Group
With this recognition, India has become only the fourth country globally to have its independent regional navigation satellite system acknowledged as a part of the WWRNS. Before India, the United States, Russia, and China had their navigation systems accepted by the IMO.
The Significance of Recognition
The IMO’s acceptance of the IRNSS has key implications for India. Previously used on a trial basis, now all merchant vessels, including small fishing boats, are authorised to use it in Indian waters. The system could potentially replace GPS in the Indian Ocean waters up to 1500 km from the Indian border. Although IRNSS is not a global navigation system, its recognition as a component of the WWRNS puts it on par with commonly used systems like the Global Positioning System (GPS) of the USA and Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).
Atmanirbhar Bharat and Strategic Importance
This achievement is viewed as a considerable stride towards the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Besides its navigational benefits, it is of strategic significance as it decreases reliance on global navigation systems.
Snapshot of Other Important Navigation Systems
Different countries have developed various navigation systems. USA’s Global Positioning System (GPS) consists of 24 orbiting satellites. Russia’s counterpart to GPS is GLONASS. China has the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, a hybrid constellation of roughly 30 satellites. Europe uses the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System.
Diving Deeper Into IRNSS
The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Its main aim is to provide reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services in India and its vicinity. The system, named “NavIC” (Navigation with Indian Constellation) by the Prime Minister, provides two types of services. The Standard Positioning Service (SPS) is available to the general public, while the Restricted Service (RS) is an encrypted service for authorised users and agencies.
Unlike GPS, which comprises 24 satellites, NavIC has eight satellites serving India and adjacent regions up to 1,500 km from its borders. Although systems containing more satellites offer more precise positioning, NavIC surpasses GPS’s position accuracy of 20-30 metres with an estimated accuracy of under 20 metres.