'Proud Moment for India': Former ISRO Chief Hails NVS-03 Launch
Former ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair calls the NVS-03 launch a proud moment for India, highlighting NavIC's efficiency over GPS.
Former ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair has lauded the successful launch of the NVS-03 navigation satellite, describing it as a significant achievement for the nation. The satellite was carried into orbit by the GSLV-F18 rocket, a mission that Nair believes restores confidence and momentum to the space agency's operations.
A Comeback for ISRO
Speaking to ANI, Nair emphasized that this success is particularly meaningful given the setbacks faced during the previous mission. He noted that the precise injection of the satellite into its intended orbit proves that ISRO can maintain its rigorous launch schedules without compromising on quality.
"It's really a proud moment for all of us in India that NVS-03 has lifted off and been successfully placed into orbit by the GSLV. Considering the failure encountered during the last mission, this is a grand success," Nair stated.
The Power of NavIC: Efficiency Over Scale
Reflecting on the origins of India's regional navigation system, Nair recalled conceiving the concept back in 2005. He highlighted the unique and cost-effective nature of NavIC, which provides critical timing, positioning, and navigation services across the Indian subcontinent and its surrounding regions.
One of the most striking points made by the former chief was the efficiency of the system. While the Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on a constellation of 32 satellites, NavIC achieves its objectives with just seven. According to Nair, reports suggest that the performance of India's system is even better than that of GPS, providing the high-accuracy signals necessary for various security requirements.
Indigenous Breakthroughs and Future Goals
The NVS-03 mission is not just about positioning; it marks a leap in homegrown technology. Nair pointed out the development and flight of an indigenous atomic clock as a key milestone that will bolster India's confidence in its space capabilities.
Bridging the Connectivity Gap
Looking ahead, Nair suggested that India should now focus on satellite-based communication for handheld devices. He proposed the use of a geostationary satellite constellation to provide direct connectivity, potentially requiring only two satellites.
He urged the agency to revive and build upon the technologies demonstrated during the GSAT-6 mission launched in 2010. Specifically, he mentioned that the following components could be utilized for direct-to-handheld connectivity:
- Deployable antennas in space
- High-power amplifiers
- Highly sensitive receivers
The Final 1.5%
While acknowledging that satellite connectivity may involve some time lag, Nair argued that this is negligible for internet services. He noted that approximately 98.5 per cent of India's landmass is already covered by terrestrial 5G networks. By leveraging GSAT-6 technology, India can efficiently bridge the gap and provide coverage to the remaining 1.5 per cent of the country through space-based communication.