With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements :
- IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
- IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.
- India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 only
IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System), also known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), is India's independent regional navigation satellite system. Among the three statements, only the first statement correctly describes the satellite configuration of IRNSS.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary orbits (positioned at fixed points above the equator) and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits (inclined geosynchronous orbits at approximately 29° inclination).
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: IRNSS covers the entire India and extends approximately 1500 km beyond its borders (primary service area), not 5500 sq. km. The extended service area covers a much larger region from 30°S to 50°N latitude and 30°E to 130°E longitude.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: IRNSS/NavIC is a regional navigation system, not a global navigation system. It provides coverage over India and surrounding regions only. India does not have a satellite navigation system with full global coverage as of 2019 or currently.
📝 Short Notes: IRNSS/NavIC
- Full Form: Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), operational name NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)
- Constellation: 7 satellites total - 3 in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and 4 in Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO)
- Primary Service Area: India and region extending up to 1500 km from its boundary
- Extended Service Area: Region between 30°S to 50°N latitude and 30°E to 130°E longitude
- Operational Since: 2018 (all 7 satellites became operational)
- Applications: Terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking, fleet management, integration with mobile phones, precise timing, mapping and geodetic data capture
- Administered by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Ground Segment: IRNSS Spacecraft Control Facility (IRSCF) at Hassan and Bhopal, IRNSS Range and Integrity Monitoring Stations (IRIMS) at multiple locations, and Navigation Control Centres
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