Indian military may match GPS with Russian satellites

NEW DELHI: In a major step forward in its ambition to use space applications for defence, India is entering into a partnership with Russia to be a part of Glonass (Global'naya Navigatsionnay Sputnikovaya Sistema or Global Navigation Satellite System). After America's Global Positioning System (GPS), Glonass is currently the only other satellite-based navigation system and it would be available for Indian military applications, sources said.

India is also a partner in the European Union's Galileo system, which would be ready by 2008. But since Galileo would only be for civilian use, joining Glonass becomes significant.

India's quest to be a global military power is dependent on access to satellite navigation. Some variations of the Brahmos cruise missile and many future weapons being developed on the concept of "network-centric warfare" would depend on satellite navigation for precision, and Glonass is the only option, says a senior military scientist. He said that it was during Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Moscow that the Russian side agreed to New Delhi's request to allow the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to be a partner in Glonass.

Run by the Russian Federation Ministry of Defence, Glonass is in bad shape today with just eight satellites providing the global navigation. For a precise system, especially for military purposes, at least 24 satellites are required, so that three satellites are available over a particular point at any given point of time.

This week Russian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov announced plans to launch three Glonass satellites on Christmas Day.

The proposed Indian involvement would include using ISRO's launch vehicles. By 2008, Glonass would have 17 satellites, making it precise enough for military applications.

In the long run, the two sides would work towards having 24 satellites, making Glonass as robust as GPS. Then India would be among a handful of countries with a global navigation system for military applications.

The US is already in talks with the European Union to ensure that the Galileo system is not made available for military applications.

The Glonass system, military sources say, would give India an advantage over most countries in a future when network-centric warfare would be the norm of the day.

What is the Global Positioning System (GPS)?

The first GPS satellite was launched by the U.S. Air Force in early 1978. There are now at least 24 satellites orbiting the earth at an altitude of about 11,000 nautical miles. The high altitude insures that the satellite orbits are stable, precise and predictable, and that the satellites' motion through space is not affected by atmospheric drag. These 24 satellites make up a full GPS constellation. GPS satellites pass over any point on the earth twice a day continuously broadcast satellite position and timing data via radio signals at the speed of light and take approximately 6/100ths of a second to reach the earth

What is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS)?

Glonass was launched in the early eighties to rival America's GPS. It fell into bad times when Russia entered a phase of economic disarray. Not enough replacement satellites were sent, leaving Glonass today with only eight healthy satellites

What is the Galileo?

Galileo is Europe's contribution to the next generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The service will be free at the point of use, but a range of chargeable services with additional features will also be offered. Design of the Galileo system is being finalised and the delivery of initial services is targetted for 2008

Why the rush for a satellite-based navigation system?

Any application where location information is needed is a possible candidate for this system. The system’s potential in contributing to precision warfare has been tested in some parts (mainly in the Iraq war by the US) and widely discussed globally. Given India’s global position in the subcontinent, as well as its problem of terrorist movement, access to such a system will surely give both its military and administration a clear edge over others.