Satellite Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems have revolutionized various applications across industries. It enables accurate mapping, and surveying, and enhances navigation systems for road vehicles, vessels, and spacecraft.
In terms of civil aviation, a great deal of air-route management relies on space-based PNT systems. It also enables precision agriculture, aids rescue operations, and ensures synchronization of critical networks.
The plenary session ‘Applications enabled by Satellite PNT capability’ at India Space Congress 2023 chaired and monitored by AVM Rajiva Ranjan, VM, ACAS OPS (Space) discussed the new age of PNT and its future.
He stated that satellites have revolutionized every aspect of our life. The timing on which we rely is based on GPS time which is directly connected to a satellite. India has launched NaVIC, a regional satellite system, to look at the growing requirements of the Civil Aviation sector in the country for better positioning, navigation, and timing.
Manish A Saxena, Director SATNAV-PO, ISRO Headquarters highlighted the dependencies on outside sources for manufacturing and gathering technologies. He also talked about multiple applications and key drivers of PNT such as 5G and other emerging technologies.
He said that any PNT system based on a satellite consists of three segments:
- Space segment
- Ground segment
- User segment
Strategies in Indian Navigation System
Earlier this year, the Indian space sector opened up for private enterprises and FDIs. While the government is ensuring the availability of navigation for civilian use, this leaves the space department with continuing support and sustaining country-wide navigation assets.
Meanwhile, a lot of private enterprises are also working towards providing better PNT services. Various ministries and government departments are supporting them with a lot of funds and incubation support.
Dr Rachit Bhatia, Space Safety Analytics & Research lead, LeoLABS emphasized the need of protecting satellites and resilient PNT for the betterment of various technologies such as autonomous vehicles, IoT, as well as, national security. He talked about technologies such as sensor fusion, terrestrial navigation systems, and augmentation while also focusing on the need for an authority-body to make a standard system for robust PNT.
“There is need for educating people and creating awareness for PNT domain,” said Prof Roshan Srivastava, IIT, Tirupati.
He added, “We need to create an environment where we can encourage researchers to convert their research to product, and then to market. Startups don’t have the manpower and financial support to do it. We have to promote startup ecosystem, transitional research and international collaboration.”
“India is as the forefront in the world. On PNT application we have done a lot and we are really Atmanirbhar. There is a huge potential on satellite-based PNT systems,” said Rohan Verma, CEO and ED, MapmyIndia.
