New Delhi: ISRO Chairman Narayanan on Tuesday said the growing involvement of private companies in building navigation systems for space and defence would play an important role in advancing India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He noted that navigation technology is highly specialised and cannot be developed by ISRO alone.
"When we talk about Viksit Bharat 2047, it is our responsibility to ensure no imports are required. Navigation is a very critical area, and ISRO alone cannot develop it. So I am extremely happy that in Thiruvananthapuram, Ananth Technologies has entered this field," Narayanan said.
He was speaking after inaugurating a Centre of Excellence in Navigation set up by Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies at Kinfra Park in Thiruvananthapuram. The company has long worked with organisations including ISRO, DRDO, and BrahMos.
Narayanan said the facility, which he inspected after the inauguration, is world-class and will contribute significantly as India reduces its reliance on imported navigation systems. He added that while development costs are initially comparable with those of other countries, large-scale production would substantially bring costs down.
India has depended heavily on imported navigation components for its space missions as well as for missile and defence systems. Narayanan said indigenous development would help address this dependence.
He also provided an update on the Gaganyaan mission, saying ISRO has so far completed 8,000 tests. "We have completed 8,000 tests, including propulsion hot tests, simulations, structural tests, and acoustic tests. We are now in the final stages of software development and simulation. 2027 is the target set by our PM for the Gaganyaan mission, and before that, we have to complete three unmanned missions. Preparations for the first unmanned mission are underway," he said.
Narayanan added that ISRO will launch the first private PSLV-N1 in the current financial year. On the BlueBird mission, he said, "We are getting ready for that, but the launch date is yet to be decided."
The new Centre of Excellence in Navigation aims to advance India’s capabilities in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing technologies and help achieve strategic self-reliance in the sector.
BI Bureau
