The Indian space agency Isro began 2016 with a bang: The fifth satellite IRNSS-E for the regional positioning system IRNSS was successfully launched into orbit. The position system IRNSS is an alternative to the US system GPS.
Indian GPS alternative comes in six months
The scientists of Isro announced that the Indian alternative would take up to six months in GPS work. This would require two more satellites will be launched into orbit. Overall IRNSS then has seven satellites.
IRNSS provides position data with high precision for air traffic, navigation of ships, trains and the military. It is to be applied also for smartphones in India.
The start of the fifth satellite for ISNSS was the 32th successful launch of the Indian PSLV rocket.
IRNSS has only regional coverage
Compared to the world’s available GPS IRNSS will however only have a cover with a radius of approximately 1,500 km. The dependence of India from foreign systems will be significantly reduced by IRNSS.
According to the Isro Australia, Japan, South Korea and Russia have already expressed interest in cooperation.