The Isro, which put the seventh and last satellite in place in the constellation that is India’s very own independent global positioning system, has made the country independent and secure from dependence on the American-owned GPS. The Indian GPS — Navic (Navigation with Indian Satellite Constellation) as it is being called — makes India a member of an elite club comprising the US, China and Russia. Europe’s Galileo and Japan’s Quasi-Zenith are still being developed.
Navic is operated by Isro, unlike the US and Russian systems which are operated by their militaries. The Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is run by the China National Space Administration. Navic is vital for India as she reportedly suffered during the Kargil war because the Americans denied India vital GPS information. So no more bullying of India on this score as the Indian armed forces will know their positions on the battleground and direct their efforts accordingly.
Though Navic has a limited range of 1,500 km beyond India’s borders, its position accuracy of better than 20 metres will be crucial for disaster management in the event of floods and earthquakes, for surveillance border surveillance, vehicle tracking and taxi services. Various apps can be developed for focus areas by integration with mobile phone systems. It does not have global reach but it serves India’s purposes. The Isro team has to be congratulated on yet another great achievement.
