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With the creation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (now ISRO) in 1962, India has been an active patron to mankind’s space efforts. From Aryabhata to Chandrayaan-2, India has launched 113 satellites, including the <keyword id="6374683" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="First">first</keyword> privately built and funded satellite ExceedSat-1 which was launched from USA, as a part of <keyword id="6355315" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk">Elon Musk</keyword>’s Space X project Falcon-9. Up until 2016, India’s space activities have been the exclusive domain of the State, however, the launch of the <keyword id="4835931" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="IRNSS-1H">IRNSS-1H</keyword> in 2017 was the herald of a new era in India’s Space endeavours. The IRNSS-1H marked the beginning of privatisation in this area by being the first Indian satellite, to be designed in collaboration with the private parties. In the following year, the ExseedSat-1 was to become the first privately funded and built satellite launched in collaboration with the private Space X project. Interestingly, up until now, all missions have been conducted for purposes of research, reconnaissance as well as for augmenting communication systems since there was a substantial State monopoly. With the recent announcement of the creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre or IN-SPACe by the Government of India as part of its atma nirbhar Bharat scheme, which aims at providing a “level playing field” and a supportive regulatory regime to allow Indian private enterprises to grow and carve their own niche in the so-called “fast-growing global space sector”, India has in fact shown an inclination to capitalise on the US strategy of opening up the avidly touted space “sector” to private participation. While the initiative sounds exhilarating and will definitely go a long way in defining India’s image as an emerging global technology powerhouse, it is extremely difficult to fathom why private players, would be willing to readily come forward and invest billions, by confining their activities for research purposes alone, without any expectation of commercial gains or simply, return on their investment. This is so because, matters concerning space and space exploration are subject of a special branch of customary international law, that are mainly centred around five treaties and eleven agreements. The most significant of these is the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies or the Outer Space Treaty (OST) which India ratified in 1967, and which specifically lays down under Article I that outer space and space exploration including that on the moon and other celestial bodies, are to be carried out solely for, and in the interest of all countries, and that they are the province of all mankind. Article II restricts claims of sovereignty and national appropriation by any means whatsoever, Article VI places international responsibility on all activities carried on by governmental or by non-governmental entities, as well as mandates authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party. While there is considerable debate surrounding the applicability of the OST especially Article VI to private parties, since the US Supreme Court ‘s ruling in Medellin v Texas (2008) which held that Article VI is not self-executing in nature, regard must be had to the fact that these are domestic Court rulings and the fact that Space law is part of Customary International law which is affirmed by decades of State practise, cannot be denied, and neither can the fact that it is settled principle of international law that a State cannot, under the excuse of changes in domestic law, including subsequent Court rulings, renege from treaty obligations once ratified. In effect, the OST places strict checks upon the objectives behind exploring this uncharted territory by State and Non-State actors, far less allowing the possibility of even claiming rights of any kind. Moreover, it is no secret that private corporations operate predominantly with the object of individual gains and unless driven by the zeal to serve mankind and share profits with all countries, chances are that the investments made by private parties will have little to nil returns, far less any substantive protection. Also, the marked absence of a designated “Space Police” to patrol and check exploitative behaviour arising out of private activities owing to the presence of Article IV makes any form of substantive protection offered by States to private equity outside the Kármán line, ineffective. These are some of the many challenges apart from concerns regarding contamination of space including <keyword id="943402" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Space-Debris">space debris</keyword>, that will require extensive deliberations by the Indian Government unless it wants to face a fusillade of criticisms as well as expose itself to the risk of multiple treaty breach claims and possible sanctions from UN as well as its member States. Therefore, unless carefully planned and executed in collaboration with other State actors and under a highly controlled yet a pragmatic regime, that can ensure a balance between the needs of private investment and obligations posed by the OST, India’s space ambitions for the moment appear to be anachronistic and as surrealistic as the flying ambitions of Icarus and Daedalus. (This article was written by Nilanjan Sen, who is an experienced lawyer, specialising in International Law and Arbitration. His views are personal.) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/coovid-vaccine-from-oxford-serum-institute-and-astrazeneca-shows-promising-immune-response/articleshow/77069321.cms">The COVID-19 vaccine from Oxford and AstraZeneca shows 'promising' results in early human trials</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/dil-bechara-kissing-booth-2-and-other-movies-you-can-watch-on-netflix-amazon-prime-disneyhotstar-this-week/slidelist/77142498.cms">Dil Bechara, Kissing Booth 2 and other movies you can watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar this week</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/work-from-home-effect-these-companies-are-shelling-out-for-employees-power-bills-internet-cost-and-more/articleshow/77139229.cms">WFH effect – These companies are paying for employees' power bills, internet cost and more</a>

OPINION| The fault in our stars: India’s bid at privatizing space

With the help of its own navigation satellite system, India could soon get a navigation system like the globally famous GPS. <keyword id="3303025" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="IRNSS-1G">IRNSS-1G</keyword>, the seventh and final satellite from the navigation satellite series, was launched on board the <keyword id="3303026" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="PSLV-C33">PSLV-C33</keyword> from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh today. 
 
The 44.4 metre tall IRNSS-1G has a lift-off mass of 1,425 kg and would be launched in sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub GTO) with a 12 year mission life. 
 
Using this Indian Regional Navigation Satellite system, which comprises of seven satellites, Indians would have a navigation system with much better accuracy and targeted position. 
 Even though four satellites would be sufficient to start operations of the <keyword id="1596484" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="IRNSS">IRNSS</keyword> system, the presence of remaining three would make sure that the system is "more accurate and efficient". 
 As per <keyword id="6358064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="ISRO">ISRO</keyword> officials, the total cost of all the seven satellites was Rs. 1,420 crore. 
 
<a href="http://www.iasdiscussions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Indian-Regional-Navigation-Satellite-System-IRNSS.jpg">Image source</a>

Finally!
India’s own GPS system a reality with ISRO launching the final satellite
from Sriharikota

It’s a cliché when we say that <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> and <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> have been two unique political-socio-economic-cultural experiments in human history. It’s quite obvious, after all – never before such large populations have been under the sovereign rule and governed by political systems that are poles apart. And never before two nations with such massive socio-cultural diversity (especially India) have lived in such extreme economic disparity and still remained stable. To that quartet of politics, economics, society and culture, we can now add one more context – science &amp; technology. Interestingly, both of them have created and deployed homegrown technologies to capture the final frontier – the space. 
 China took off back in 2003 while 2013 might be looked upon as the turning point when we truly pitched a tent in space. It doesn’t take <keyword id="9428" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rocket">rocket</keyword> science to imagine that barring a catastrophe on the lines of Hollywood action disasters, rockets will eventually lead to the biggest industry ever for the mankind. China has already leaped ahead of <keyword id="6355311" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Japan">Japan</keyword> and Europe by sending many humans into the space while India, with <keyword id="913432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chandrayaan-1">Chandrayaan 1</keyword> in 2008 and the recent <keyword id="1506013" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="mangalyaan">Mangalyaan</keyword> (<keyword id="6625456" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mars-Orbiter-Mission">Mars Orbiter Mission</keyword>), has carved its own lane in the race to capture the <keyword id="2001111" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Global-space-market">global space market</keyword>. 
 The <keyword id="2001134" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Space-market">space market</keyword> consists of two major product/service categories – <keyword id="133588" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="communication-satellites">communication satellites</keyword> and <keyword id="2001117" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Non-communication-satellites">non-communication satellites</keyword>. Communication satellites usually weigh around 4,000-5,000 kg and currently, India does not possess any <keyword id="1542232" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Space-Launch-Vehicle">space launch vehicle</keyword> (aka ‘rocket’) to put modern-day communication satellites into <keyword id="6375157" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Orbit">orbit</keyword>. Non-communication satellites include earth observation, weather, navigation and research satellites. And here’s where India already has assets for big returns. 
 India currently has two broad classes of launch vehicles. One is the workhorse called <keyword id="622933" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Polar-Satellite-Launch-Vehicle">Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle</keyword> (<keyword id="6395832" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="PSLV">PSLV</keyword>), with many proven variants, and the other is the much-touted future giant called <keyword id="1647388" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Geo-synchronous-Satellite-Launch-Vehicle">Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle</keyword> (<keyword id="138322" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="GSLV">GSLV</keyword>), with only one proven variant. Besides Chandrayaan 1 and Mars Orbiter Mission, PSLV has also launched many of our earth observation and weather satellites, along with India’s first ever <keyword id="1723872" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="navigation-satellite">navigation satellite</keyword> (aka <keyword id="911057" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="GPS-satellite">GPS satellite</keyword>, which is actually a name given to the bunch of the <keyword id="2001124" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="US-navigation-satellites">US navigation satellites</keyword> but has become ubiquitous) called <keyword id="2001125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="IRNSS-1A">IRNSS 1A</keyword>, in July 2013. 
 The PSLV launch score card reads 23 successful endeavours out of 25. And the maximum load PSLV has successfully put in the orbit is 1,850 kg. It has put 64 <keyword id="6358065" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satellite">satellite</keyword>s in orbit till date – 29 of them are Indian and 35 foreign ones. But here’s the catch. None of the foreign satellite launches were exclusively commercial launches but just mini piggybacks, always along with a major <keyword id="397800" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-satellite">Indian satellite</keyword>. The total mass of all foreign satellites launched by India till date is less than what a single PSLV launch can achieve. 
 Thus, in spite of having the space warhorses born and brought up in our own backyard and ready to scoop out a huge chunk of the space market pie, they’ll turn grey without running many a race, courtesy the stale socialist mindset on which the Indian polity still feeds. But can we really be the tiger in the space Olympics? Check this. India launched its <keyword id="164562" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mars-mission">Mars mission</keyword> within 15 months of the government’s approval in August 2012. And that, too, when the initial feasibility study had designated GSLV as the launch vehicle. 
 When GSLV was rejected due to technical snags appearing in two successive launches in 2010, PSLV was quickly cleared and made ready to fire within 15 months, along with developing all <keyword id="81047" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="scientific-instruments">scientific instruments</keyword> on MOM and the upgradation of ground-based facilities. Hence, we don’t even need a predator’s eyesight for the hunt as the ground is swarming with potential targets. 
 The <keyword id="2001136" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Global-space-economy">global space economy</keyword>, including <keyword id="2001137" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satellite-industry-revenues">satellite industry revenues</keyword> and <keyword id="2001138" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Government-budgets">government budgets</keyword>, stood at $304 billion in 2012. The <keyword id="911963" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="satellite-industry">satellite industry</keyword> includes <keyword id="1814082" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="satellite-services">satellite services</keyword>, <keyword id="2001151" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satellite-manufacturing">satellite manufacturing</keyword> &amp; launch, and ground equipment. Out of these, satellite services largely depend on the state of <keyword id="6355065" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="tv">TV</keyword>, <keyword id="12905" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Radio">radio</keyword>, <keyword id="17591" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Broadband">broadband</keyword> and <keyword id="471844" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="mobile-communication">mobile communication</keyword> services, <keyword id="2001147" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Transponder-agreements">transponder agreements</keyword> and other managed services for the home country or others. India mostly leverages its <keyword id="2001148" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satellite-base">satellite base</keyword> for domestic usage and rarely rents it for <keyword id="2001149" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Foreign-commercial-use">foreign commercial use</keyword>. 
 But where we have already lost ground is <keyword id="2001150" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satellite-manufacturing-and-launch">satellite manufacturing and launch</keyword> which grew 23% to $14.6 billion and 35% to $6.5 billion, respectively, in 2012 alone. We still can’t launch communications satellites although China has already launched five for other nations. A total of 951 satellites in the earth observation, navigation and weather categories, all in PSLV’s range, are planned to be launched by various governments and private entities during 2009-2018, as per the consultancy firm <keyword id="2001126" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Euroconsult">Euroconsult</keyword>’s report in 2009. Five years have elapsed since and with average satellite costs at $99 million and average launch price at $51 million in the previous decade, the lost opportunity costs are mindboggling. 
 So the task is cut out for the future central government. First, it must control the mushrooming of scams like the <keyword id="557071" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Antrix-Devas-deal">Antrix-Devas deal</keyword> – one which tarnished India’s image as a <keyword id="2001106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="major-space-industry-player">major space industry player</keyword> even before it became one. Second, it must unleash the power of India’s private space industry comprising both manufacturing and services players.

India’s Space Industry – Sleeping
Warhorse Must Wake Up & Run

Like we told you yesterday, <keyword id="6358064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="ISRO">ISRO</keyword> has planned to launch <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/ISRO-to-launch-Indias-sixth-navigation-satellite-into-space-soon/articleshow/51291387.cms">India’s sixth navigation satellite</a> into space from the spaceport of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, and for that, the 54-hour countdown began at 9:30 AM today. 
 
As per ISRO statement, the countdown began after the Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board cleared the 54 and half hour countdown. 
 The satellite, called <keyword id="3274514" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="IRNSS-1F">IRNSS-1F</keyword> will be launched from the second launch pad situated at <keyword id="6356967" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satish-Dhawan-Space-Centre">Satish Dhawan Space Centre</keyword> on March 10. 
IRNSS-1F is the sixth navigation satellite in the IRNSS space system, which comprises of seven satellites. These satellites would be on par with US-based GPS after the full complement of spacecraft. 
 
Even though four satellites are sufficient to start operations of the IRNSS system, the remaining three would be deployed to make it more "accurate and efficient". 
 
The last satellite, fifth IRNSS-1E was launched on January 20 2016. The other four, IRNSS-1A was launched on July 1, 2013; IRNSS-1B on April 4, 2014; IRNSS-1C on October 16, 2014; and IRNSS-1D was launched on March 28, 2015. 
 
As per the plan of ISRO scientists, all seven navigation satellites will be put into orbit by March 2016, with the seventh in the series expected to be launched by the end of this month. 
 
<a href="http://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/portfolio/mk3_1.jpg">Image source</a>

ISRO's new navigation satellite will launch in less than 54 hours

<ul><li>India’s homegrown navigation system, NAVIC, is now in the same league as the US, Russia and China after being approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).</li><li>Powered by a constellation of seven satellites, NAVIC is capable of scanning areas up to 1,500 kilometres beyond India’s own borders. </li><li>IMO’s approval comes two years after India initially applied. </li></ul>India’s own indigenous navigation system has hit a new milestone. The Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is now in league with the US, China, and Russia as a recognised component of the World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS). After two years of waiting in line, approval was finally announced by the International Maritime Organisation (<a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/update/08-dec-2020/international-maritime-organisation-imo-recognition-irnss-navic">IMO</a>) during its 102nd session hosted virtually between November 4 to November 11. IMO is a specialised agency under the United Nations (UN). The Indian government has also <a href="https://cdac.in/index.aspx?id=tenders_viewpdf&amp;dynamicId=NjM5MjAwODc=">invited proposals</a> for the manufacturer of a million receiver chips that have GPS and NavIC. The aim is to only improve the overall signal availability of navigation systems, but also increase the use of its own desi-GSP. Not only is this a significant achievement for India but also for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). What is NavIC? The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), more popularly known as NavIC, is designed to provide accurate and timely positional information to assist with the navigation of ships. The initiative was launched after the US refused to give India crucial GPS information during the Kargil war in 1999. It is powered by a constellation of seven satellites, all of which are positioned around 36,000 kilometres from Earth. In comparison, Russia has 26 satellites powering its Global Navigation System (GLONASS). India’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has plans to expand to a total of 35 satellites to cover the world. Europe’s Galileo system, which began operations in 2016, has a constellation of 30 satellites powering its navigation. Who can use NavIC? The navigation system provides two kinds of services, the Standard Positioning Services (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS). SPS can be used for all navigation needs. RS, however, is an encrypted service only available to authorised users, like security agencies. What can NavIC be used for? NavIC can provide positional accuracy of better than 20 metres to help with things like marine navigation, which was its primary objective, as well as disaster management, vehicle tracking, navigation for hikers and travellers and voice navigation for drivers. Last year, it got approved by the global standards body 3GPP, which is responsible for coordinating global standards for cellphones. This opens up the system for commercial use by mobile manufacturers like Samsung, Apple and others. Qualcomm, one of the largest chipmakers in the world, has already manufactured NavIC-capable chipsets that are being used by RealMe and Xiaomi in their handsets. If applied across India, NavIC holds the potential to replace the US-owned Global Positioning System (GPS) in the Indian Ocean and can cover areas up to 1,500 kilometres beyond India’s geographical boundaries. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/icertis-helps-google-microsoft-and-apple-manage-their-contracts-is-hiring-for-techies-and-people-in-sales/articleshow/79640659.cms">EXCLUSIVE: This Indian unicorn helping Google, Microsoft and Apple manage their contracts is hiring⁠— it needs techies as well as people in sales</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/what-is-pm-wani-public-wifi-platform-launched-by-union-cabinet/articleshow/79642267.cms">Government’s plan for public Wi-Fi lets anyone from the kirana store owner to tea shop stalls sign up to provide the internet</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/the-33-billion-itc-one-of-indias-most-trolled-stock-in-recent-weeks-seems-to-have-turned-a-corner/articleshow/79641456.cms">The $33 billion ITC, one of India’s most-trolled stock in recent weeks, seems to have turned a corner</a>

India’s desi-GPS is now in the same league as the US, Russia and China — can scan 1,500 kilometres beyond its own borders

In 2014 the Union Government of India allocated a 50% increased budget to <keyword id="6358064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ISRO">ISRO</keyword> granting Rs 6,000 crores (US$1.2 billion) planned and Rs 1,238 crores (approx US $ 25.75 million) unplanned. ISRO had a total of Rs 7,238 crores (approximately US$1.3 billion) as compared to the previous year budget allocation. 
 2014 was a successful year for ISRO with PSLV, GSLV launch vehicles for launching of satellites, Chandrayaan (Moon) probe and the recent wonder of the Mangalayaan or <keyword id="6356585" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mom">MOM</keyword> ,the Mars probe, proving the combined efforts of ISRO and the Indian Space industry are on the right track. 
 
The encouraging factor is that most of the missions have been accomplished the first time and on almost shoe-string budgets (Mars probe cost India just US $ 74 million) when compared to worldwide space programs. 
 
It is also encouraging not only for ISRO but the Space sector industry involved in the development and manufacturing of the sensitive equipment. International awards have been earned and ISRO has made the country proud of its achievements. 
 
ISRO and the Indian Space Sector are proud examples and have given the right impetus to the Prime Minister’s ‘Made in India’ drive by largely using components and technology developed within the country cutting down costs considerably. 
 
ISRO is spreading its wings and the year 2015 is going to be packed with several important missions and in tandem it will be increasing and improving its launch pads, infrastructure and technical support. 
 
India’s space programs and will continue to focus on social and economical development. It has one of the world’s largest satellite networks covering communications and information technology, education, weather and disaster management, land and water management, navigation, business, and of course, military applications.. 
 
ISRO will continue to develop its launch vehicles and also try to reduce dependency on using foreign launch vehicles especially for heavy communication satellites, which increases cost of a mission by about 30 to 40%. 
 
It has come a long way and now has launched not only its own satellites but satellites for other countries generating revenue. It will be launching five foreign satellites out of which three are from UK. It has also contracted to launch two Indonesian satellites. 
 
The Indian Regional Satellite Navigation System or IRNSS constellation will be completed with the launch of additional four satellites. GSAT-6 communication satellite is being readied to be launched by GSLV rocket. 
 
India will be spending US $ 150 million for launch hire for launching its heavy three tonnes communication satellites GSAT–15 and GSAT-16 through Europe’s Ariane 5. 
 
The indigenously developed cryogenic engine (2014 budget was US $ 30 million) will be developed further. The GSLV-Mark III made to carry heavy satellites of 4 tones will be tested. The GSLV-Mark III will also test a giant cup cake like unmanned Crew Module for atmospheric re entry flight, aero braking and end to end parachute validation. 
 In line infrastructure development with the construction of a third launch pad for heavy vehicles in the <keyword id="1373812" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="GSLV-Mark-III">GSLV Mark III</keyword> category is also being studied along with a second rocket assembly building at <keyword id="6355143" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sriharikota">Sriharikota</keyword>. 
 
It may appear that pure space exploration has been put aside but ISRO is planning to test launch Astrosat India’s astronomical laboratory in 2015. The Venus probe in 2015 and preparations for Moon and Sun probes in 2016 and 2017 and perhaps a second Mars probe in 2016 will keep ISRO fully engaged. 
 
Taking into account its successful track record it is fair to assume that the Union Government will be generous and grant ISRO a morale booster increase of 50% on the 2014 budget.

Can Indian Space Industry expect a repeat 50% budget increase in 2015

India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a 48-hour countdown for IRNSS-1E launch, the first rocket launch of 2016. 
 
ISRO said the countdown at Sriharikota was progressing smoothly and everything was in place. 
 
"The countdown started yesterday morning. It is progressing smoothly. We are expecting to make the launch tomorrow at 9.31 AM. All things are in place," said ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar. 
 
IRNSS-1E is the fifth navigation satellite in the IRNSS space system, comprising seven satellites, which would be on par with US-based GPS once the full complement of spacecraft is launched. 
 
It has configuration similar to its predecessors IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and carries two types of payloads -- navigation and ranging payload. 
 
The navigation payload will transmit navigation service signals to the users and operating in L5-band and S-band while the other consists of a C-band transponder that facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. 
 
IRNSS-1E has a lift off mass of 1,425 kg and carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging and a highly accurate rubidium atomic clock (also part of the navigation payload of the satellite).

Less
than 48 hrs to ISRO’s first rocket launch of 2016! The Countdown has begun

Come next year, you won’t have to rely on heavily accented lady for directions on <keyword id="97416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-maps">Google Maps</keyword>. Instead India will be having its own GPS system. 'NavIC' will be operational early 2018. "The Indian Regional Navigation <keyword id="6358065" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Satellite">Satellite</keyword> System (IRNSS) with an operational name of NavIC is currently being tested for its accuracy and is most likely to be available in the market for public use early next year," Tapan <keyword id="121202" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Misra">Misra</keyword>, the director of Ahmedabad-based Space Application Centre (SAC) told TOI. NavIC or 'Navigation with Indian Constellation' the name given by PM <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> after the launch of IRNSS-1G, is designed to provide accurate position information to users within the country. “Though American GPS with 24 satellites in a constellation has wider reach and covers the entire world, NavIC with seven satellites covers only India and its surroundings but is more accurate than the American system. NavIC will provide standard positioning service to all users with a position accuracy of 5 metre. The GPS, on the other hand, has a position accuracy of 20-30 metre," the SAC director TOI. The less the distance more is the accuracy of the navigation device in finding the real location.

India to have its own GPS system from 2018

Hence starts the journey of private companies into space research! <keyword id="3223069" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kineco-Kaman">Kineco Kaman</keyword> Composites India (KKCI) has become the first private company in India to manufacture a Dual Helix Antenna Array (DHAA) assembly, which was launched into the space aboard <keyword id="6358064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="ISRO">ISRO</keyword>'s fifth Indian Regional Navigation <keyword id="6358065" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satellite">Satellite</keyword> (IRNSS-1E) this month. 
 
"The DHAA assembly is a very complex and high precision structure made using a combination of Carbon and Aramid Composites. The manufacturing of this DHAA requires hi-tech engineering and manufacturing competence, benchmarked with the best in the world," Shekhar Sardessai, Chairman and MD, Kineco Kaman Composites-India Private Limited told PTI. 
IRNSS is a cluster of seven satellites comprising three geo-stationary and four geo-synchronous satellites. 
 
DHAA was manufactured by Kineco Kaman for ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Trivandrum and was integrated into IRNSS-1E, which was successfully put into the orbit by PSLV-C31 on January 2, he said. 
 
"The IRNSS will be the Indian version of the global positioning system (GPS) and will be called Standard Positioning Service (SPS). Once all the satellites are placed in orbit, which is expected to be by March 2016, free SPS services will be available to all civilians," Sardessai said. 
 
Kineco Kaman -- a joint venture of Kineco Group Goa, India and Kaman Aerospace Group-USA -- had earlier received a contract for the manufacture and supply of 10 sets of DHAA assemblies for VSSC Trivandrum in 2015. 
 
 
(Image credits: indiatimes)

Kineco Kaman becomes first Indian private company to put antenna into orbit via ISRO

<ul><li>India’s apex space agency announced on January 17 that it will be launching a border surveillance satellite.</li><li>The announcement comes six months after China and Pakistan launched the a satellite that will be able to monitor the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC runs through disputed land that both, India and Pakistan, claim belongs to them. </li><li>India’s satellite will be able to send high-resolution imagery from its borders to help the border guarding forces communicate more efficiently.</li></ul>India’s discomfort of the friendship brewing between Pakistan and China was evident as it announced plans to launch border surveillance satellites. The <keyword id="116095" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Space-Research-Organisation">Indian Space Research Organisation</keyword>’s (<keyword id="6358064" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="isro">ISRO</keyword>) announcement to launch a satellite that will pick up high-resolution imagery of its neighboring borders comes just six months after Pakistan launched its own remote sensing satellite. The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (PRSS-1), which was bought from China, will be able to monitor the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — a part of which runs through Gilgit-Baltistan in Azad Kashmir or Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). And, PoK is <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-expresses-strong-opposition-to-china-pakistan-economic-corridor-says-challenges-indian-sovereignty/articleshow/57664537.cms">disputed</a> land. India claims that its been under Pakistan’s illegitimate control since 1947. While the <keyword id="397800" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-satellite">Indian satellite</keyword> will be launched ‘exclusively’ for country’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), meaning only the ministry will have access to its data. However, its implementation will be a coordinated effort between ISRO and India’s Ministry of Defence. The border security satellites aren’t only to fend against Pakistan, but China as well, with Aksai Chin — disputed territory between India and China — also lying along the country’s northern border. The images from the satellite will help the Border Guarding Forces (BGF) communicate more efficiently and give them a clearer picture of on-ground activity through high-resolution imagery. The task force report on ‘Space Technology in Border Management’ was approved by the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, on January 17. It highlights the short-term, mid-term and long-term plans for how India’s satellite technology will be implemented. ‘Space Technology in Border Management’ In the short run, the aim is to help the Border Guarding Forces (BGF). But, as things progress, the aim is to use the images to help the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) as well. Essentially, the government wants to create a ‘Central Archival Facility’ that will allow the Home Ministry to share images resources will other agencies as well. It will also link into the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) to provide navigation facilities. Once all of this is set up in the long run, it’s not only the difficult border areas that will be monitored but Naxal areas as well — also known as India’s ‘Red Corridor’ where there is an ongoing conflict between Maoist groups and the Indian government. In terms of space technology, India is bounds ahead of Pakistan having launched 104 satellites. But China has reportedly launched 250 satellites and most recently, successfully landed on the far-side of the moon.

India responds to China-Pakistan satellite launch with its own border surveillance satellites

<ul><li>NavIC, the Indian GPS, to be launched soon and will work with the help of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information to users within the country. </li><li>The desi GPS is expected to work better because a larger number of satellites will be focusing on a smaller area. </li><li>The CAG Report states NavIC’s delays and money overruns . </li></ul>The Indian Regional <keyword id="48724" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Navigation">Navigation</keyword> Satellite System’s (IRNSS) project of an indigenous GPS, sanctioned by the Indian government in 2006, is finally near its completion. The <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-desi-gps-navic-all-set-to-navigate-you/articleshow/64639096.cms">NavIC</a> (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is all set to be launched soon. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has taken the lead in this project. The ‘desi’ <keyword id="60096" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-Positioning-System">Global Positioning System</keyword>, or the GPS as it is better known, is an attempt to challenge the GPS made by the West and also become self-reliant when it comes to tracking and mapping. <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> took up this project after the US government denied access to its GPS to track the positioning of Pakistani troops during the Kargil War in 1999. NavIC will work with the help of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information to users within the country. The satellites cover India and upto 1,500 kilometres of area from its borders. The NavIC will be helpful with terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, vehicle tracking and fleet management, disaster management, mapping and geodetic data capture, visual and voice navigation for drivers. To access all these services, the NavlC needs to be embedded in chips and other devices that are compatible with mobiles and can be used in cars. While it sounds like a great option to generate money by going the ‘Make in India’ way, IT secretary, Ajay Prakash Sawhney, has said that the NavIC will be providing these services for the strategic interest of the country and not to earn revenues. The GPS we use in the country right now comes from the West and its accuracy, efficiency is often debatable and reliant on the network services in the country. The desi GPS is expected to work better because a larger number of satellites will be focusing on a smaller area. It is also expected to work better across weather conditions as it uses a dual frequency system and has a position accuracy of five metres as opposed to the foreign GPS technology that uses single frequency and has 20-30 metres of position accuracy. The project, when approved, was given a budget of ₹14.2 billion and was expected to be out by 2011. It is clear that the project has <a href="https://thewire.in/space/indias-gps-delayed-by-deadline-overruns-isros-administrative-laxity-cag">failed to meet deadlines</a>, but there’s a reason for it all. An audit done this March by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the authority that examines all receipts and expenditures of the Government of India and the state governments, explains the delay. The <a href="https://www.cag.gov.in/sites/default/files/audit_report_files/Chapter_7_Department_Of_Space_of_Report_No.2_of_2018_%E2%80%93_Compliance_Audit_on_Scientific_and_Environmental_MinistriesDepartments_Union_Government.pdf">CAG report</a> states that there has been a delay of anything between two to nine years in the completion of specific contracts given to ISRO for NavIC. Seven contracts were still pending till last May. Though ISRO can not be blamed for all the delays, most of them were because of inadequate follow-up, failed coordination or mere “administrative laxity”. Failed satellite launches and dysfunctional equipment like atomic and primary clocks has further added to NavlC’s delay. So far, ISRO has spent over ₹24 billion on NavIC - ₹12.8 billion from sanctioned budget, and a supplementary ₹11.6 billion to launch the seven satellites. There has been a lot of “unnecessary expenditure”, according to the CAG audit, which even includes the purchase of incompatible modems. The project had also been at odds with the government when it refused to carry out some responsibilities it took funds for, like setting up the user segment. However, despite these challenges, all that NavIC now awaits is the Request for Proposal (RPF) that has been called for so as it can begin with the implementation, launch and promotion. Once that is done, India will become one of the countries with their own positioning system like, Russia and USA, strengthening its social and technological position worldwide.

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OPINION| The fault in our stars: India’s bid at privatizing space

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Finally! India’s own GPS system a reality with ISRO launching the final satellite from Sriharikota

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India’s Space Industry – Sleeping Warhorse Must Wake Up & Run

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ISRO's new navigation satellite will launch in less than 54 hours

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India’s desi-GPS is now in the same league as the US, Russia and China — can scan 1,500 kilometres beyond its own borders

Prabhjote Gill

Can Indian Space Industry expect a repeat 50% budget increase in 2015

Preetam Kaushik

Less than 48 hrs to ISRO’s first rocket launch of 2016! The Countdown has begun

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India to have its own GPS system from 2018

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Kineco Kaman becomes first Indian private company to put antenna into orbit via ISRO

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India responds to China-Pakistan satellite launch with its own border surveillance satellites

Prabhjote Gill

Move aside, India is all set to launch its desi GPS service and it might be more accurate

BI India Bureau

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