INDIA BECAME A MAJOR PLAYER

The hallmark of Indian space programme has been the applicationoriented efforts and the benefits that have accrued to the country. The space based programs that are transforming everyday life in the country can be broadly categorized into three categories.

I. REMOTE SENSING/ EARTH OBSERVATION

India has one of the largest constellations of Remote Sensing Satellites. Remote sensing application projects at National, State and Local levels are being carried out through well established multi-pronged implementation architecture of National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS).

II. COMMUNICATION/ METEOROLOGICAL/ DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A fleet of communication satellites with transponders inn C-band, Extended C-band, Ku-band and S-band support the services like television, telecommunication, radio networking, strategic communication and societal applications. Under societal appli- cations, ISRO has supported programmes like Telemedicine, Tele-education and Disaster Management Support (DMS) Programmes which are solely national development oriented. Today, tele-education network has about 60,000 class rooms connected to various academic institutions and universities. ISRO Telemedicine network facilities now cover 380 hospitals connecting 302 rural hospitals and 18 mobile vans to 60 super speciality hospitals for providing health care to citizens, especially in rural areas. The Disaster Management Support (DMS) Programme of ISRO continues to provide space based information and services to the State and Central Government Departments to strengthen the disaster management activities. The activities include monitoring of floods, landslides, cyclones and forest fires. In 2015, flood monitoring and mapping was carried out for floods in 10 states and more than 105 flood maps were disseminated to the concerned State and Central officers in addition to making available to Users on the web through Bhuvan and NDEM web portals. Several depressions caused heavy rainfall during the year. All depressions and cyclones originated in the Indian ocean region were monitored and the track, intensity and landfall were predicted.

III. NAVIGATION

The GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) has brought numerous benefits to the aviation sector in terms of fuel saving, saving in equipment cost, flight safety, increased air space capacity, efficiency, enhancement of reliability, reduction in workload for operators, coverage of oceanic area for air traffic control and high position accuracy. In addition to aviation sector, GAGAN is expected to bring benefits to other sectors like Navigation and Safety Enhancement in Railways, Roadways, Shipping and other Location based services. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System – NAVIC will find applications in: - Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation - Disaster Management - Vehicle tracking and fleet management - Power Grid Synchronisation - Integration with mobile phones - Fisheries and Mining - Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and

travellers - Visual and voice navigation for drivers.