ISRO chief says private push in navigation tech key to India’s 2047 goals

ISRO Chief Dr V Narayanan on Tuesday said private companies entering the complex field of navigation systems would play a critical role in supporting the government’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.

Speaking to the media after inaugurating the Centre of Excellence in Navigation set up by Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies at Kinfra Park in Thiruvananthapuram, Narayanan said he was pleased to see private players take up work that has long relied on imports.

He said navigation systems are “highly complex and critical”, and ISRO alone could not meet national requirements.

“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.

Ananth Technologies works closely with ISRO, DRDO and BrahMos. Narayanan said the new facility, which he inspected after the inauguration, was world-class and would make a significant contribution in the coming years.

India has long been dependent on imported navigation technology for both space missions and missile and defence systems. Narayanan said indigenous development would cut costs over time.

“At the development stage, costs would be on par with other countries, as only one or two units are made, and a lot of work is involved. But in production mode, I believe costs will drop drastically,” he said.

On the status of India’s manned space mission, Gaganyaan, Narayanan said the programme had 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 also said ISRO would 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 Centre of Excellence in Navigation by Ananth Technologies aims to support full strategic autonomy in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies for the country.

(With inputs from agencies)