IRNSS-1D - 28/03/2015

India to have its own GPS by 2016

India is just 3 satellites away from having its own GPS.

The 4th in the series of 7 navigational satellites, namely 'IRNSS 1D', has successfully been placed into the geosynchronous orbit aboard the PSLV-C27 from Sriharikota.

Its predecessors namely IRNSS-1A, 1B and 1C, are successfully operating in their space.

The entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is planned to be completed by 2016. This is the twenty eighth consecutively successful mission of the PSLV. 

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) :

Our GPS Will have a total of 7 satellites in space expected 

by 2015 (3 in geostationary orbit and 4 in inclined 

geosynchronous orbit).

Will have a range of 1500km (thus neighbouring countries 

like Nepal, Srilanka would also be able to use).

Positional accuracy of better than 20 metres in the "primary 

service area" (i.e 1500km)

Services:

Standard Positioning Service : Available for all users

Restricted Service : encrypted service (only for authorised users like Military and other government agencies)

Some Applications (where it will be useful once all 7 satellites are in space):

To provide accurate position information service to users (precise timing), disaster management, Navigation : (marine, aerial, terrestrial), aid to hikers, mountaineers, trekkers and other travellers vehicle tracking ; visual-voice navigation in driving; fleet management, mapping and geodetic data capture.

Other Navigational Satellite Systems:

Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) : Russia

Global Positioning System (GPS) : United States

Galileo (GNSS) : European Union 

BeiDou satellite navigation system (COMPASS) : China

Quasi-Zenith Satellite System : Japa