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In the GPS age, what do you mean by “Standard Positioning Systems” and “Precision Positioning Systems”? Talk about the benefits that India believes its ambitious IRNSS program—which uses only seven satellites—offers. (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
Standard Positioning Systems (SPS) vs. Precision Positioning Systems (PPS) in the GPS Era
1. Understanding SPS and PPS:
a. Standard Positioning Systems (SPS):
b. Precision Positioning Systems (PPS):
2. India’s IRNSS Program and Its Advantages:
a. Overview of IRNSS:
b. Advantages of IRNSS:
i. Enhanced Accuracy and Reliability:
ii. Strategic and Economic Benefits:
iii. Improved Service Quality:
c. Recent Examples:
3. Conclusion: India’s IRNSS program, with its seven satellites, provides significant strategic and practical advantages. It enhances regional accuracy, reduces reliance on foreign systems, and supports a variety of applications crucial for national development and security.
Model Answer
Introduction
In the GPS era, Standard Positioning Systems (SPS) provide an accuracy of approximately 20-30 meters and are primarily utilized for civilian applications. In contrast, Precision Positioning Systems (PPS) offer higher accuracy, around 10 meters, and are mainly used by the U.S. military and its allies. In this context, India has launched the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), which consists of a constellation of just seven satellites to deliver comprehensive positioning data to users in India and its surrounding regions.
Advantages of India’s IRNSS Programme
NAVIC reduces India’s reliance on foreign GPS systems, enhancing the country’s autonomy in navigation and ensuring uninterrupted service regardless of international relations.
NAVIC provides positional accuracy of less than 20 meters within India and extends to an area of 1500 km around it, which is advantageous compared to SPS.
NAVIC bolsters national security by delivering precise locational intelligence to the military, aiding in surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile guidance.
NAVIC significantly benefits various civilian sectors. For instance, it enhances logistics and transport efficiency through accurate navigation, aids in agriculture with precise locational data for land management, and assists in disaster management by providing real-time positional data.
The development of NAVIC fosters opportunities for growth in space technology industries, creating jobs, promoting innovation, and contributing to economic development.
Conclusion
The IRNSS, or NAVIC, represents a strategic advancement for India, not only in space technology but also in enhancing national security and socio-economic development.