Ans. Positioning systems are technologies and methods used to determine the geographical location of an object, individual, or vehicle on Earth. They rely on a combination of satellite networks, ground stations, and user devices to provide accurate location, navigation, and timing information. The most well-known example is the Global Positioning System (GPS), developed by the United States, but several other systems like Russia's GLONASS, Europe's Galileo, and China's BeiDou also serve similar purposes.

Positioning systems are broadly classified into Standard Positioning Systems (SPS) and Precision Positioning Systems (PPS).

Standard Positioning Systems (SPS):

Provides basic positioning services primarily for civilian users worldwide.
Delivers location, navigation, and timing data with reasonable accuracy for everyday applications.
Signals are usually unencrypted, making them freely accessible to anyone with a compatible receiver.
However, the precision of SPS can be limited by various factors, such as atmospheric disturbances and intentional signal degradation (e.g., Selective Availability used in earlier versions of GPS).

Precision Positioning Systems (PPS):

Specifically designed for authorized users like military forces and government agencies for critical operations.
Offers significantly higher accuracy than SPS, suitable for advanced and sensitive applications.
Employs encrypted signals to ensure data security and restrict access to unauthorized users.
Incorporates advanced technologies to resist interference, jamming, and spoofing, maintaining reliable performance in challenging conditions.
Ensures exceptional precision for tasks requiring the utmost reliability and accuracy.

Advantages of India’s IRNSS Programme with Seven Satellites:

Strategic Autonomy:

IRNSS reduces India’s dependence on foreign navigation systems like GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), or Galileo (EU), ensuring uninterrupted access to navigation services during critical situations.
This autonomy is particularly important because, during the Kargil War (1999), the United States denied GPS access to India, highlighting the risks of relying on external systems in strategic scenarios.

Regional Coverage with High Accuracy:

IRNSS provides accurate positioning data within India and up to 1,500 km around it, tailored to regional requirements.
The system ensures higher accuracy (up to 10 meters) in the Indian region compared to global systems.

Dual Service Offerings:

Standard Positioning Service (SPS): For civilian applications like transportation, disaster management, and personal navigation.
Restricted Service (RS): Encrypted service for military and authorized users, enhancing security for sensitive operations.

Disaster Management: Provides reliable and accurate data for search and rescue operations and early warning systems for natural disasters like cyclones and tsunamis.
Marine and Aviation Navigation: Supports safe and efficient navigation for ships and aircraft within Indian airspace and waters.
Secure Military Applications: Assists in missile guidance, troop movement, and defense logistics under India's exclusive control.
Cost-Effective Approach: Achieves regional coverage and strategic goals with just seven satellites, unlike global systems that require larger constellations.
Global Recognition: Demonstrates India's technological capabilities, strengthening its position as a space power.

Positioning services are crucial for accurate navigation, enabling applications in transportation, defense, and agriculture. The IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) helps India achieve this by providing reliable, indigenous positioning data, enhancing national security and self-reliance. It ensures essential location and timing information, improving efficiency, safety, and productivity across various sectors.

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