ISRO to develop Indian satellite security cover

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will develop its own version of the US GPS and Russian Glonass system, albeit with a limited, regional capability, with the added advantage of providing the country's defence establishment round-the-clock security cover. The constellation of seven satellites will keep an eye on a wide swath of territory - 2,000km - in and around the Indian sub-continent.

According to ISRO chief, G Madhavan Nair, the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) was being developed "considering security related issues".

Speaking at the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, Nair said: "The proposed system would consist of a constellation of seven satellites and a ground support segment. Three of the satellites will be placed in the geostationary orbit and four near the geostationary orbit.

"Such an arrangement would mean all seven satellites would have continuous radio visibility with the Indian control stations. The satellite payloads will consist of atomic clocks and electronic equipment to generate the navigational signals," he said.

"The system is intended to provide an absolute position accuracy of more than 20 meters throughout India and within a region extending approximately 2,000 km around it," Nair explained.

He said the system will help security personnel in tracking infiltration activities and maintain better surveillance over inhospitable terrains, mountains or even deep inside the sea.

Nair did not elaborate when such a system would become operational.