SATNAV Policy-2021

Context: According to its new draft policy, Indian Space Research Organisation plans to expand the reach of its regional satellite-based navigation system globally, and make it interoperable with other systems such as the GPS (global positioning system).

• The draft of the Indian Satellite Navigation Policy – 2021 (SATNAV Policy – 2021) has been presented on the official website of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Aim

• To achieve the goal of self-reliance in India’s satellite-based navigation and augmentation services sector with emphasis on assuring availability & quality, enhancing usage, working towards progressive evolution of the services and promoting research & development.

Objective

• To address the growing demands of space-based navigation and timing applications, with the view of self-sustenance in areas of commercial, strategic, and societal applications.
• To ensure the continuous availability of free-to-air navigation signals for civilian uses and secured navigation signals for strategic uses in the defined coverage area.

Major Highlights

• As per the Department of Space, it is a substantive national policy to boost national infrastructure.
• ISRO plans to expand the reach of its regional satellite-based navigation system globally, and make it interoperable with other systems such as the GPS (global positioning system).
• ISRO plans to ensure availability of NavIC standalone signal in any part of the world without relying on other GNSS.

For a variety of applications, navigation signals are offered free-to-air.

• These applications include tracking, telematics, location-based services, automotive, survey, mapping & GIS, and timing.

For aviation safety in the defined coverage area, the draft ensures guaranteed and continuous availability of the Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS).

• The draft ensures continuity of NavIC and GAGAN services, upgrading the system and ensuring the capability to operate in conjecture with other GNSS/SBAS.

Space-Based Navigation Systems

• Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a general term describing a space-based navigation system that provides positioning, navigation, and precise-time (PNT) services on a global or regional basis.

There are four GNSS at present

• GPS: Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system owned by the USA and operated by the United States Force.
• GLONASS: A Russian space-based satellite navigation system is a GNSS that provides an alternative to GPS and is the second navigational system with global coverage, freely available to all.
• Galileo: A global GNSS was created in 2016 by European Space Agency.
• BeiDou: The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is owned and operated by the People’s Republic of China. It consists of two separate satellite constellations.

There are two regional navigation satellite systems
1. NavIC

• With the operational name NavIC, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India.
• It is a constellation of seven satellites. The first of the which was launched in 2013, and the constellation was completed in 2018.
• The satellite provides navigation support over India and a region extending 1,500 km around.
• It provides accurate, precise, and real-time positioning and services.
• New smartphones in India running on Qualcomm chipsets released in 2020 can use IRNSS signals for navigation.

2) QZSS

• The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, also known as Michibiki, is a regional GNSS owned by Japan and operated by QZS System Service.
• It is a four-satellite regional time transfer system, enhancing the United States-operated Global Positioning System in the Asia-Oceania regions, with a focus on Japan.