Once denied GPS by US, India ferries 13 of its satellites to space
Synopsis
The recent mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) of launching 20 satellites in 26 minutes, which carried 13 US satellites, must have reminded the US of the 1999 Kargil War, when it denied GPS support to India.
GPS support would have proved vital for the Indian forces defending the border of the country against Pakistan. But the US had its own reasons to not extend a helping hand to India.
But, the tables have turned after 17 years.
On Wednesday, the 20-satellite mission was one of the major breakthroughs in the history of space engineering. Of these 20 satellites carried by ISRO, 17 were non-Indian, including 13 US satellites.
In 2015 ISRO felt the need to have a personalised GPS system for India. With that in mind, India's space body launched 'Indian Regional Navigation Support System' (IRNSS), which will be sometime in 2016.
IRNSS can keep a close watch within and beyond national borders. However, it can function only in a range of 1,500 kms beyond Indian borders.
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