ISRO through its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C41 successfully launched the eighth navigational satellite – Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System(IRNSS-1I) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This has been launched to replace the country’s first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A, whose functioning had stopped working since the last two years. IRNSS-1l is around 1,425kg with a life span of 10 years with the aim of improving the Navigation network under the new technology called desi GPS or NavlC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) which makes for an indigenous position system. NavIC is designed to provide accurate position information service in the nation extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary. Serving both military and civilian needs, NavIC satellites will broadcast signals that a receiver can use to measure its location. This was the 4th satellite that ISRO launched in this year with the recent was GSLV-6.
What made ISRO to develop its own GPS?
India has developed this kind of desi or own GPS from 2000 where previously it was dependent on America for GPS till the 1999. But due to the denial of the GPS information from the US during the Kargil war, drove India to develop her own navigational system. IRNSS-1A was the first satellite by the ISRO using our own technology that was launched in 2013 for the CDMA and GPS purpose.
The launch of the IRNSS-1l and the replacement of IRNSS-1A has made India consistent in having the potential positioning and navigation system. India entered in the club of countries that has developed its own technologies in the GPS after USA, E. U, Russia, etc. This satellite also helps our country to overcome the external threat from other countries. This will also enable the mechanisation of the Navy helping them to navigate and identify enemy vessels and keep track on Indian vessels as well.
Conclusion
This technological advance on behalf of India proves that we can foray into other areas of security and defence, not just navy and military. As ISRO has proved its competitiveness it can do so again by initiating greater technology-based developments. This will also be acknowledged by the international community as India has a technological field independent of its government that successfully is at par with the rest of the advanced nations.