With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements : 1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits. 2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders. 3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) None
Why the answer is (a)
• IRNSS (NavIC) is a seven-satellite constellation: three in geostationary orbit and four in inclined geosynchronous orbit (statement 1 is correct).
• Statement 2 is wrong: NavIC covers India and a region extending about 1,500 km beyond its borders, not 5,500 sq km.
• Statement 3 is wrong: NavIC is a regional system; India has no plan for global coverage by 2019 (only the US GPS, Russia's GLONASS, EU's Galileo and China's BeiDou are global).
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: coverage extends 1,500 km beyond borders.
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- Statements 2 and 3 are wrong.
- (d) None
- Statement 1 is correct: 3 GEO + 4 GSO satellites.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.