<div>The successful launch by the Indian Space Research Orgnanisation (ISRO) of the second satellite, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS-1B), from Sriharikota last week, will give India global positioning system capabilities which only a few other countries have. <br /><br />First satellite in a series of seven was launched last year and it is working well in its designated position in the orbit. The latest lift-off also signified a landmark 25th consecutive launch success of the PSLV, which has become the dependable mainstay of India’s space ventures. <br /><div><br />Other satellites in the series are scheduled for launch in the coming months and together they will give the system geo-spatial coverage of an area including the country’s entire territory and 1,500 km beyond its borders. The ISRO aims to achieve this by the end of 2015.<br /><br /></div><div>An efficient and accurate navigational support system is important both in civilian and defence sectors. It is necessary to find directions for traffic on land, sea and in the air.</div><div> </div><div>India has been working for a long time to put in place a satellite system which enables this and now it is closer to reality.</div><div><br />Civil aviation, marine navigation and road transport will benefit much from the use of facilities offered by the system.</div><div><br />Areas like communications, disaster management and mining are others that will gain.</div><div><br />There are also major applications in the defence field like finding directions in unfamiliar territories, tracking military vehicles and giving guidance for aircraft, drones and missiles.<br /><br />Military uses are now expected to account for only a small part of the IRNSS capabilities.</div><div><br />But they are important as they will give the forces more accurate and real time information to aid their operations. <br /><br />The accuracy range of information provided by the system will be in metres.</div><div> </div><div>Only the US, the European Union, Russia, China and Japan have such a satellite-guided navigational system functioning now. <br /></div><div><br />India uses the Russian system for its Russian-origin military gear like aircraft and missiles. <br /><br />The US Global Positioning System (GPS) is in wide use for civilian purposes but cannot be depended on in all situations. <br /><br />Other countries can deny use of their systems whenever they want. That underlines the vital need to develop our own facilities.</div><div><br />Footprint of the Indian system would initially cover only the region but can later be expanded to the global level. <br /><br />Once the system becomes fully operational, it will offer commercial opportunities also because IRNSS facilities are cheap and economical.</div></div>
<div>The successful launch by the Indian Space Research Orgnanisation (ISRO) of the second satellite, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS-1B), from Sriharikota last week, will give India global positioning system capabilities which only a few other countries have. <br /><br />First satellite in a series of seven was launched last year and it is working well in its designated position in the orbit. The latest lift-off also signified a landmark 25th consecutive launch success of the PSLV, which has become the dependable mainstay of India’s space ventures. <br /><div><br />Other satellites in the series are scheduled for launch in the coming months and together they will give the system geo-spatial coverage of an area including the country’s entire territory and 1,500 km beyond its borders. The ISRO aims to achieve this by the end of 2015.<br /><br /></div><div>An efficient and accurate navigational support system is important both in civilian and defence sectors. It is necessary to find directions for traffic on land, sea and in the air.</div><div> </div><div>India has been working for a long time to put in place a satellite system which enables this and now it is closer to reality.</div><div><br />Civil aviation, marine navigation and road transport will benefit much from the use of facilities offered by the system.</div><div><br />Areas like communications, disaster management and mining are others that will gain.</div><div><br />There are also major applications in the defence field like finding directions in unfamiliar territories, tracking military vehicles and giving guidance for aircraft, drones and missiles.<br /><br />Military uses are now expected to account for only a small part of the IRNSS capabilities.</div><div><br />But they are important as they will give the forces more accurate and real time information to aid their operations. <br /><br />The accuracy range of information provided by the system will be in metres.</div><div> </div><div>Only the US, the European Union, Russia, China and Japan have such a satellite-guided navigational system functioning now. <br /></div><div><br />India uses the Russian system for its Russian-origin military gear like aircraft and missiles. <br /><br />The US Global Positioning System (GPS) is in wide use for civilian purposes but cannot be depended on in all situations. <br /><br />Other countries can deny use of their systems whenever they want. That underlines the vital need to develop our own facilities.</div><div><br />Footprint of the Indian system would initially cover only the region but can later be expanded to the global level. <br /><br />Once the system becomes fully operational, it will offer commercial opportunities also because IRNSS facilities are cheap and economical.</div></div>
