The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently marked a significant achievement with the successful launch of the NVS-01 satellite. The GSLV-F12 rocket, in its 15th flight and its 9th with an indigenous cryogenic stage, lifted the satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit after a 19-minute journey. This mission represented the 6th operational flight of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stage.
Understanding NVS-01
NVS-01, weighing in at 2,232 kg, is the first of ISRO’s second-generation Navigational Satellite Series and the heaviest in the constellation. It carries navigation payloads L1, L5, and S bands, aiming to ensure the continuance of NavIC (Navigation in Indian Constellation) services. These services, a part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), offer accurate and real-time navigation within India and up to a 1,500 km radius around the country. Previously, the seven satellites in the IRNSS, collectively named NavIC, weighed considerably less at around 1,425 kg each during liftoff.
NVS-01: Advancements and Improvements
Going a step ahead of previous satellites, NVS-01 boasts a Rubidium atomic clock onboard, a technological breakthrough by India. Previous satellites in the constellation faced challenges in providing accurate location data owing to failed atomic clocks. In the world of satellite-based positioning systems, accurate time measurements from these atomic clocks are paramount for determining an object’s location. Another enhancement is the addition of L1 signals, increasing interoperability with other satellite-based navigation systems and facilitating wider use in wearable devices and personal trackers that employ low-power, single-frequency chips. Furthermore, NVS-01 pledges a longer mission life of over 12 years compared to the 10-year lifespan of the existing satellites.
NavIC: India’s Navigation System
NavIC, or IRNSS, encompasses a constellation of seven active satellites and a network of round-the-clock functioning ground stations. The constellation was renamed NavIC from IRNSS with the launch of its seventh satellite, IRNSS-1G. The system, recognised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as part of the World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS), plays a critical role in various sectors such as terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking, fleet management, integration with mobile phones, precise timing for ATMs and power grids, and mapping and geodetic data capture.
The Advantage of Having a Regional Navigation System
Developed by ISRO, NavIC is India’s own regional navigation system covering the Indian landmass and extending up to 1,500 km around it. Ground stations are being set up in countries like Japan, France, and Russia to enhance the accuracy and coverage of NavIC signals. Its signals reach India at a 90-degree angle, facilitating better penetration into congested areas, dense forests, and mountainous terrains in contrast to GPS signals that arrive at an angle. Designed primarily for the Indian region, NavIC signals ensure reliable access even in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Other Operational Navigation Systems in the World
These global and regional navigation systems supplement NavIC:
– Global systems: GPS from the U.S., GLONASS from Russia, Galileo from the European Union, BeiDou from China.
– Regional systems: QZSS from Japan.
In the context of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, questions may be asked about which countries have their own Satellite Navigation System. Knowledge of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is also valuable, including details about the number and types of satellites in its constellation, the area covered, and its purpose.
