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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

India Satellite Navigation Center Inaugurated

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Navigation Centre was Inaugurated May 28 2013 in Byalalu Bangalore, India.

Unlike the US Global Positioning System (GPS) which uses a low earth orbit system to cover the globe, the IRNSS coverage area is restricted to about 1,500km-2,000km around the Indian land-mass.  The system which is controlled by the Indian government was developed because of the concern that many GNSS, GPS system services may not be provided in possible future 'hostilities'.

The system is planned to use 7 total satellites with 3 of these satellites in geostationary orbit and the other four in an inclined geosynchronous orbit - along with a network of 21 terrestrial ranging stations located around India.

The first satellite, IRNSS-1A was scheduled for launch on June 12, but has been delayed for at least two weeks.  The satellite is planned to be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh - located on an island about 80km north of Chennai near the Bay of Bengal.

The ISRO Navigation Centre (INC) was inaugurated by V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Indian Prime Minister's office, and a member of Parliament.

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