Page 35 - Scientech 2016-17

starting of national satellite based navigation system. Adding to the list will be South Asia
Satellite, a friendly communication venture for other neighbouring nations of South Asia.
India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory Astro-Sat, was launched on a
PSLV-XL on 28 September 2015. Astrosat is India’s first dedicated multi wavelength space
observatory. This scientific satellite mission endeavours for a more detailed understanding
of our universe. One of the unique features of Astrosat mission is that enables the
simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single
satellite.

Astrosat observes universe in the optical, ultraviolet, low and high energy X-ray regions
of the electromagnetic spectrum, whereas most other scientific satellites are capable of
observing a narrow range of wavelength band. Multi-wavelength observations of Astrosat
can be further extended with coordinated observations using other spacecraft and ground
based observations. All major astronomy Institutions and some Universities in India are
participating in these observations.

Another achievement of ISRO in recent times has been completion of launch of NAVIC
- "Navigation with Indian Constellation" with seven satellites being successfully placed
in orbit by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on April 28. The Indian Regional Navigation
Satellite System (IRNSS) with an operational name of NAVIC is an independent regional
navigation satellite system being developed by India. It is designed to provide accurate
position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1500
km from its boundary, which is its primary service area. An Extended Service Area lies
between primary service area and area enclosed by the rectangle from Latitude 30 degree
south to 50 degree north, Longitude 30 degree east to 130 degree east.

IRNSS will provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Service (SPS) which
is provided to all the users and Restricted Service (RS), which is an encrypted service
provided only to the authorised users. The IRNSS System is expected to provide a position
accuracy of better than 20 m in the primary service area. In the past two years, five out
of the seven satellites of NAVIC were cast in orbit. Hitherto provided only by American
constellation of Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian constellation system
GLONASS, ISRO has made India proud by giving a system which stands far superior in
the realm of regional signals, when compared to the other two. The launch of indigenous
GPS gives India access to supreme quality satellite based navigation system signals. This
aids in annihilating the foe with precise accuracy.

In the past two years ISRO has excelled, in helping with larger goals like securing the
nation’s borders. It has boosted the Indian economy, procuring a new energy and zeal for
fulfilling the aspirations of India’s 1.25 billion people. In the Prime Minister’s own words,
describing the fete as an example of “Make in India” and “Made for Indians”, “we will
determine our own paths powered by our technology. This is a great gift to the people from
scientists”.

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