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Story of NavIC
Context:
India’s ambitious Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) program has faced yet another challenge, with the partial failure of the NVS-02 satellite on February 2, 2025.
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- The failure, caused by the non-firing of its engines in space, adds to a series of setbacks for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), a project critical for India’s defence and civilian applications.
Background: The Need for NavIC
- Conceived in 1999 following the Kargil War, when India realised its dependence on foreign navigation systems such as GPS, which was unavailable in conflict zones.
- A seven-satellite constellation was planned to be fully operational by 2016, aiming to provide independent and reliable navigation services for India and its surrounding regions.
- The first satellite, IRNSS-1A, was launched on July 1, 2013.
Setbacks and Technical Challenges
- Out of the 11 satellites launched under the ₹2,250 crore NavIC program, only five remain fully operational.
- Failures have been primarily due to malfunctioning rubidium atomic clocks, similar to issues faced by Europe’s Galileo GNSS.
- IRNSS-1A (2013) lost functionality after all three of its atomic clocks stopped working by 2016.
- IRNSS-1H (2017), launched as a replacement, failed to detach from its heat shield, rendering it useless.
- IRNSS-1K (NVS-02, 2025) suffered an engine failure, leaving it in an incomplete orbit.
Current Operational Status
- As of 2025, only four satellites are fully functional:
- IRNSS-1B, 1F, 1I (replacement for 1A), and 1J (replacement for 1G).
- NVS-01 (1J) is operational, while NVS-02 (1K) has failed.
- Some estimates suggest that IRNSS-1C is partially operational due to outdated atomic clocks.
Importance of NavIC for India
- Two main services:
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- Standard Positioning Service (SPS): For commercial and general use.
- Restricted Service (RS): Secure navigation for defence and military applications.
- Provides accurate positioning data (<20m accuracy) within India and up to 1,500 km around its borders.
- Unlike foreign GPS systems controlled by other nations, NavIC ensures reliability in critical military operations.
Way Ahead
- Expansion of NavIC support: In December 2023, Qualcomm partnered with ISRO to integrate NavIC into smartphone chipsets, making the system more widely accessible.
- Upcoming launches: ISRO plans to launch three more second-generation NavIC satellites (NVS-03, 04, and 05) to enhance the system’s reliability.
- Strengthening the system: Addressing engine failures and atomic clock malfunctions will be crucial for ensuring uninterrupted services.
Despite challenges, NavIC remains a strategic priority for India. To achieve full functionality, ISRO must accelerate satellite replacements, improve component reliability, and enhance collaboration with industries to make NavIC a widely used navigation system across the Indian subcontinent.
