The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) is needed for several reasons.

Firstly, it provides an independent navigation system for India. Prior to IRNSS, India relied on foreign navigation systems like the Global Positioning System (GPS) which is owned by the United States. Having its own navigation system ensures self-reliance and reduces dependence on foreign systems.

Secondly, IRNSS enhances the accuracy and reliability of navigation services in India and the surrounding region. GPS signals can sometimes be unreliable, particularly in areas with limited signal coverage or during times of signal disruption. IRNSS complements GPS and provides more precise positioning and timing information tailored specifically for the Indian region.

Thirdly, IRNSS is designed to provide better coverage in remote and rural areas of India, where network connectivity might be limited. It aims to bridge the urban-rural divide by bringing advanced navigation services to all parts of the country, facilitating transportation, agriculture, disaster management, and various other sectors.

In terms of navigation, IRNSS operates by using a constellation of satellites in geostationary and inclined geosynchronous orbits. These satellites continuously transmit navigation signals that are received by compatible receivers on the ground. By calculating the time it takes for the signals to reach the receiver from multiple satellites, the receiver can accurately determine its location, velocity, and time. This enables users to navigate and determine precise positions, speeds, and routes for various purposes such as vehicle tracking, geodetic surveys, search and rescue operations, and mapping.

Overall, the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System is crucial for India's autonomy in navigation, providing precise and reliable positioning services, bridging the digital divide, and bolstering various sectors dependent on accurate navigation information.

Why India Needs IRNSS and How It Helps in Navigation

The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC, is a crucial initiative for India, addressing several critical needs:

1. Independence and Security:

• Alternative to GPS: IRNSS provides India with an independent satellite navigation system, reducing reliance on foreign systems like GPS (US) and GLONASS (Russia). This is vital for national security, as it ensures continued navigation even if external systems are unavailable or interfered with.
• Strategic Importance: In times of conflict or emergencies, access to foreign systems could be restricted, making IRNSS essential for maintaining critical infrastructure and defense operations.

2. Enhanced Accuracy and Reliability:

• Regional Focus: IRNSS is specifically designed for the Indian region, providing superior accuracy and coverage compared to global systems like GPS.
• Improved Positioning: IRNSS offers precise positioning, timing, and navigation services within the Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas.

3. Economic Benefits and Development:

• Improved Infrastructure: IRNSS helps with precise surveying and mapping, facilitating infrastructure development projects like roads, railways, and bridges.
• Efficient Disaster Management: Accurate location data assists in search and rescue efforts during natural disasters and emergency situations.
• Precise Timekeeping: IRNSS contributes to accurate timekeeping, crucial for various industries like banking, telecommunications, and power grids.
• Boosting Indigenous Technology: Developing and deploying IRNSS has fostered the growth of India's space technology and research capabilities.

How IRNSS Helps in Navigation:

IRNSS uses a constellation of seven satellites, including three geostationary and four geosynchronous satellites, to provide navigation services.

• Signal Transmission: These satellites continuously transmit radio signals carrying precise time and position information.
• Receiver Interpretation: IRNSS receivers, such as smartphones and navigation devices, capture these signals and calculate their position by measuring the time difference between signals received from different satellites.
• Accurate Location: The triangulation of these time differences allows for accurate determination of the receiver's location, speed, and direction.

In summary: IRNSS plays a significant role in enhancing India's security, economic development, and technological advancement by providing independent, accurate, and reliable navigation services.

The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), is a satellite-based navigation system developed by India to provide independent and self-reliant navigation capabilities. IRNSS is needed for several reasons:

1. Self-reliance: IRNSS reduces India's dependence on foreign GPS systems, such as the US's GPS, Russia's GLONASS, or Europe's Galileo. This ensures that India has control over its navigation system and is not dependent on other countries for critical navigation services.

2. Regional accuracy: IRNSS is designed to provide more accurate navigation data in the Indian region compared to foreign GPS systems. This is achieved by having a constellation of satellites in geosynchronous orbits over the Indian subcontinent, which provides better visibility and accuracy in the region.

3. Additional signals: IRNSS transmits multiple signals, including L5 and S-band signals, which provide better accuracy and resistance to interference. These signals can be used in various applications, such as aviation, maritime, and land transportation.

4. Improvement over GPS: IRNSS has certain advantages over GPS, such as:

• Better accuracy in urban canyons and under tree cover due to its geosynchronous orbit.
• Improved availability in high-latitude regions.
• Enhanced resistance to interference and spoofing.

How IRNSS helps in navigation:

1. Positioning: IRNSS provides positioning data, including latitude, longitude, altitude, and velocity, to users with IRNSS-enabled devices.

2. Navigation: The system helps users navigate through various modes, such as:

• Land navigation: IRNSS supports a variety of land-based applications, including vehicle tracking, route guidance, and surveying.
• Aviation: IRNSS is designed to support aircraft navigation, approach, and landing.
• Maritime: IRNSS provides navigation data for vessels and boats, enabling safe and efficient navigation.

3. Timing: IRNSS provides accurate timing information, which is essential for various applications, including telecommunications, finance, and scientific research.

4. Search and rescue: IRNSS has a search and rescue (SAR) component, which helps in locating and rescuing people in distress, such as in emergency situations like natural disasters or aircraft accidents.

In summary, IRNSS is needed to provide India with an independent and self-reliant navigation system, offering improved accuracy, availability, and resistance to interference compared to foreign GPS systems. It has various applications across industries, including aviation, maritime, land transportation, and more.