Ever wonder how your phone's map works no matter where you are? It's thanks to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) that allow devices to pinpoint their location using orbiting satellites. In this article, we'll break down the worldwide GNSS network and India's own regional satellite navigation system called NavIC.
At its core, GNSS involves a group of satellites circling the Earth and transmitting precise time and position data. As long as a navigation receiver can detect signals from at least four satellites, it can calculate its three-dimensional location through a process of triangulation. This simple yet effective concept has enabled turn-by-turn directions and location services on billions of devices.
While the United States operates the most well-known GNSS called GPS, other major players have since launched their own satellite constellations. These include Europe's Galileo, Russia's GLONASS, and China's BeiDou system. Combining signals from different GNSS skyrockets positioning accuracy compared to relying on any single network alone.
India too has developed its own regional navigation network called NavIC. Short for Navigation with Indian Constellation, the system consists of eight satellites providing coverage primarily over the Indian subcontinent. With claims of meter-level location precision, NavIC aims to offer a secure alternative to foreign systems for critical duties like disaster response.
By understanding the basics of GNSS and India's role in NavIC, we see how simple yet powerful satellite technologies have transformed navigation on a global scale. Round-the-clock signals from the skies now seamlessly guide people wherever and whenever needed.
