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Only 3 NavIC satellites (IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1I, NVS-01) are currently operational after IRNSS-1F completed its 10-year mission life; standalone positioning needs a minimum of 4
Timing service remains functional even though standalone positioning is not currently available
NVS-03 is ready for launch; NVS-04 and NVS-05 are in advanced stages of realisation to restore the constellation
NavIC is ISRO's own regional satellite navigation system, independent of the US GPS, Russia's GLONASS, the EU's Galileo or China's BeiDou. Designed as a 7-satellite constellation, it gives positioning accuracy over India and up to roughly 1,500 km beyond its borders. Its second-generation NVS-series satellites — starting with NVS-01 (IRNSS-1J), launched 29 May 2023 — add an L1 signal band for interoperability with other GNSS and an indigenous Rubidium atomic clock.
Simple Analogy: India's own regional GPS, run independently of the US system.
A separate, GPS-based satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) run jointly by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India for aviation-grade accuracy — distinct from NavIC, which is India's own standalone constellation
Because NavIC alone cannot presently give standalone positioning, the Armed Forces combine it with GPS/other GNSS — the release states this creates 'no vulnerability' for users since NavIC is used in a multi-constellation environment
GS Paper 3 > Science & Technology > Space Applications
With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements: 1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits. 2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders. 3. 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?
Answer: 1 only
First appearance of this specific operational-gap framing
Positioning, Navigation and Timing — the three services a satellite navigation constellation provides
GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation — ISRO-AAI's satellite-based augmentation system for civil aviation