India’s own GPS system: IRNSS-1G

India becomes one of the five countries that operate their own navigation satellite system

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India’s own GPS system: IRNSS-1G

After reading the topic, you must be wondering about India’s technological advancement. From missiles to launching satellites, India has shown remarkable technological progress in past years.

To gear you up for the upcoming Bank & SSC exams, we bring to you this article to augment your GK preparation. The article aims to provide useful information about India’s navigation satellite system. With the successful launch of the seventh satellite IRNSS-1G, India has acquired its position in the league of five nations that has an indigenous navigation system.

Overview of IRNSS and various satellites

  • IRNSS is an acronym for the ‘Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System’. It is an autonomous regional satellite navigation system, which provides accurate real-time positioning over India and surrounding regions.
  • IRNSS consists of seven satellites placed in geostationary and geosynchronous orbits and a support ground segment to track orbits and send signals to the satellites.
  • As a part of the project, a new satellite navigation center was set up by the Indian Space Research Organization in Karnataka in May 2013.
  • As per a report, the total cost of the project was 1,420 crore (US$211 million).
  • Seven satellites with the prefix ‘IRNSS-1’ are a part of the space segment of the IRNSS. IRNSS-1A, the first of the seven satellites, was launched in July 2013, followed by IRNSS-1B & IRNSS-1C in 2014, IRNSS-1D in 2015, IRNSS-1E & IRNSS-1F in 2016.
  • On April 28, 2016, ISRO successfully launched India’s seventh and the last navigation satellite IRNSS-1G from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

By now you must be familiar with the concept of IRNSS. Moving further, let’s read about the seventh navigation satellite IRNSS-1G.

Key points about the IRNSS-1G

  1. Specifications of IRNSS-1G
  • Life of the satellite is 12 years.
  • The lift-off mass of the satellite is 1,425 kilograms and dry mass is 598 kilograms.
  • The satellite is placed at an altitude of 497.8 kilometers at 129.5 degree East longitude.
  1. Accurate real-time positioning
  • IRNSS-1G satellite is designed with an objective to provide accurate real-time positioning and navigational services over India and region extending upto 1,500 km.
  1. Similar to GPS of US
  • With the successful launch of IRNSS-1G, India becomes one of the five countries that operate their own navigation satellite system.
  • After IRNSS-1G being fully operational, India will not have to depend on foreign military navigation.
  1. Uses of IRNSS-1G
  • IRNSS-1G satellite would facilitate aerial, terrestrial and marine navigation. It would also empower fleet management for travelers and disaster management.
  • Not only this, IRNSS-1G would enable integration with mobile phones to map and capture data for drivers.
  1. Background of IRNSS
  • The decision to launch India’s navigation satellite system (IRNSS) was taken when the US government refused to share the GPS information to locate Pakistani troop positions during the Kargil war.
  • On the successful launch of IRNSS-1G, PM Modi said, “Now we are not dependent on other countries for navigation. Our planes will be able to land with ease and accuracy.”
  • PM Modi further added that the system will prove to be useful for mariners and fishermen who have been using the sun and stars for navigation.

To sum up, Indian GPS would certainly boost country’s economy and credentials.

Testing time! Answer these questions and see how much you have grasped.

  1. Name the independent regional navigation satellite system being developed by India.
  2. When was the first IRNSS satellite launched?
  3. IRNSS system constitutes how many satellites?
  4. When was the IRNSS project started?

 

 

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