UPSC Mains – What is the significance of the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) and how does it enhance navigation capabilities? (10 marks, 150 words)

Introduction

Launched in April 2018 by ISRO, IRNSS, comprising 8 satellites, is a crucial space-based navigation infrastructure designed to provide precise positioning over India and neighboring regions, diminishing dependence on foreign systems like GPS.

Reasons for the necessity of the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS):

1. Strategic Independence: IRNSS ensures strategic independence by reducing reliance on foreign navigation systems, such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.
2. Disaster Management: IRNSS aids in disaster management and emergency response by offering real-time positioning data during natural calamities, facilitating efficient coordination of rescue efforts.
3. Enhanced Navigation Accuracy: IRNSS, known as NavIC, surpasses GPS accuracy in the Indian region, benefiting aviation with precise approach and landing information, thereby enhancing flight safety.
4. Agricultural Productivity: The system supports precision farming, optimizing irrigation, and monitoring crop health, leading to increased agricultural productivity.
5. Transportation and Maritime Safety: IRNSS enhances navigation accuracy for commercial shipping and maritime industries, ensuring precise vessel tracking, route planning, and safe navigation in Indian waters.

In Navigation, IRNSS contributes by:

1. Accurate Positioning: NavIC provides position accuracy of better than 20 meters in the primary service area.
2. Real-time Navigation: IRNSS offers real-time positioning and navigation services, aiding users in planning routes based on up-to-date location information.
3. Terrestrial and Aerial Navigation: NavIC facilitates terrestrial navigation for outdoor enthusiasts and aids aerial navigation for aviation and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, ensuring reliable flight paths.
4. Precise Timing: IRNSS provides precise timing services crucial for applications like financial transactions, telecommunications, and network synchronization.

Way Forward:

1. Compatibility: To enhance adoption, IRNSS compatibility with mobile phones, especially processing L5 and S-band signals, needs improvement.
2. Government Incentives: The government should incentivize smartphone manufacturers for faster adoption of IRNSS.
3. Extend Range: Plans for adding Middle Earth Orbit satellites beyond the current 1500 km range can make IRNSS a global navigation solution.

Conclusion

India’s IRNSS, while not global like GPS, has earned recognition in the World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS), positioning it alongside GPS and GLONASS for use by marine shipping vessels globally, marking a significant milestone in satellite navigation.

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