As a part of Department of Space’s (DoS) space reforms, the draft Indian Satellite Navigation Policy – 2021 (SATNAV Policy 2021) was uploaded on DoS website seeking public consultation till August 29, 2021.
- The key objective of this policy is to achieve self-reliance in satellite-based navigation and augmentation services while assuring availability & quality, enhancing usage, and promoting research & development.
- Under this, DoS will also push global usage of Indian Navigation systems viz. NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) on the lines of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Key Points:
i.This policy will enable participants from pan-India to build new apps and technologies.
ii.Private participation will also be encouraged on the lines of PM Modi’s vision.
iii.DoS will continue to work with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for frequency allocation for broadcasting navigation and augmentation signals.
- Aside from ITU, India will also engage other entities like the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), etc.
iv.ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) will provide technical support for academic institutions in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) research and applications, and organize regular interactions among users, and industry to synergize R&D (Research and Development) activities.
Need for this Policy:
There is an increased demand for space-based navigation and timing applications, therefore, it is necessary to provide these secured services specially catering to Indian community. Mostly, the navigation signals are offered free-to-air, therefore, this draft policy ensures the continuous availability of free-to-air navigation signals for civilian uses and secured navigation signals for strategic uses.
- For aviation safety, it ensures continuous availability of the Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
- It also ensures continuity of NavIC and GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) services.
Point to be noted:
i.NavIC is a part of some key international standards such as RINEX (Receiver Independent Exchange Format), NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association), RTCM (Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) and 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) and national standards such as AIS (Automotive Industry Standard)-140.
- NavIC has also been accorded recognition by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
ii.GAGAN system has been recognised by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Static Points:
i.Space Based Navigation Systems (SBAS)– It provides Position, Velocity, and Time (PVT) services for communication & information. crores of users across the nation are dependent on PVT (Position, Velocity, and Time) based applications for almost every task that happens virtually in their lives.
ii.Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)– It is a space-based navigation system that provides positioning, navigation, and precise-time (PNT) services on a global or regional basis. Currently, there are four GNSS:
- Global Positioning System (GPS): It is a satellite-based radio navigation system owned by the USA (United States of America) and operated by the United States Force.
- GLONASS: It is a Russian space-based GNSS that provides an alternative to GPS and is the second navigational system with global coverage, freely available to all. It is an acronym for Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, or Global Navigation Satellite System.
- Galileo: It is also a global GNSS created by European Space Agency (ESA).
- BeiDou: The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is owned and operated by China.
In addition to this, there are two regional navigation satellite systems
- NavIC: It is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India. It provides accurate, precise, and real-time positioning and services. The satellite covers India and a region extending 1,500 km around.
- QZSS: The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, also known as Michibiki, is a regional GNSS owned by Japan and operated by QZS System Service.
Recent Related News:
i.DoS has placed the ‘Draft National Space Transportation Policy 2020 – Norms, Guidelines & Procedures (NGP)’ for implementation in public domain for comments & suggestions. It covers all aspects of rocket launching, launchpads, reentry of a space object and others.
ii.ISRO is all launching its Geo Imaging Satellite-1 (GISAT-1), weighing about 2,268-kg, onboard Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-F10 (GSLV-F10) rocket on August 12, 2021 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
About Department of Space (DoS):
Establishment– 1972
Secretary– Kailasavadivoo Sivan
Headquarter– Bengaluru, Karnataka
