ISRO developing indigenous atomic clocks for Navic satellites as imported ones fail
ISRO plans to launch at least three new satellites by 2026-end to replenish its Navic (Indian GPS) system, but the development of indigenous high-precision atomic clocks is a key impediment. Five of the nine launched Navic satellites are completely defunct due to clock failures, and only two have functional atomic clocks. The original clocks were imported from SpectraTime. ISRO is now developing indigenously designed rubidium clocks for the next series of satellites. Navic aims to provide accurate location services within a 1,500 km radius in India, serving as a fallback system during global conflicts.
Key Points
- ISRO is facing challenges with its Navic (Indian GPS) system due to failures of imported atomic clocks in existing satellites.
- The agency plans to launch new satellites by 2026-end and is developing indigenous rubidium atomic clocks to overcome the dependency on foreign components.
- Navic is designed to provide accurate location services within India and a 1,500 km radius, serving strategic national interests.
- The NVS-02 satellite, launched in January, failed to reach its designated orbit, further highlighting the need for system replenishment and reliability.
Exam Facts
- System: Navic (Navigation with Indian Constellation), also known as IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System).
- Number of Navic satellites launched since 2013: Nine (eight reached orbit).
- Type of indigenous clocks being developed: Rubidium clocks.
- Director, Space Applications Centre: Nilesh Desai.
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