The Hindu

India to build $ 356 million satellite navigation system

July 4, 2006

Bangalore: A satellite-based system to be built in the next five to six years at a cost of $ 365 million will enable New Delhi to provide positioning, navigation and timing services across the country and neighbouring areas, officials said.

Addressing an industry meet on satellite navigation and talking to reporters later, G Madhavan Nair, Secretary in the Department of Space, said the Indian Regional Navigation System will consist of a constellation of satellites and a large ground network.

"The system is a totally independent navigational system based on a constellation of eight satellites," said Nair, who is also chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

ISRO officials said the system would be under Indian control, and the space and ground segments as well as receivers will be built in the country.

Through the meet, the Department of Space sought to expose opportunities available in the programme to the industry and find business opportunities. Representatives from 50 companies attended the event, where the Indian satellite navigation programme was presented in detail by senior ISRO engineers.

Officials said the department has identified satellite navigation as an key area and a massive investment in this programme is slated for the 11th Five-year Plan.

They noted that ISRO and the Airports Authority of India are implementing a satellite-based navigation system for civil aviation called Gagan.

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