Indian Media: India's Domestically-Made Satellite Navigation System May Face "Paralysis"

Can AI systems in India’s domestic satellite navigation system become paralyzed?

【Global Times Comprehensive Report】According to reports from media outlets such as The Times of India and The Hindu, one satellite in India’s indigenous satellite positioning system “NavIC” has experienced a serious malfunction. The satellite network now only has three satellites providing navigation services, while the system requires at least four satellites to operate normally. This means India’s domestic satellite positioning system may be on the verge of “paralysis.”

The satellite with the serious malfunction is IRNSS-1F. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stated in a release that the atomic clock onboard this satellite stopped working on the 13th. The atomic clock is a core component of navigation satellites, precisely measuring time by tracking atomic vibrations. It is crucial for providing positioning, navigation, and timing services. An error of just one nanosecond (billionth of a second) can cause significant deviations in calculations. The failure of the atomic clock means this satellite can only broadcast one-way information and cannot provide navigation services. IRNSS-1F was launched in March 2016, and Indian media reports say its designed lifespan is 10 to 12 years. It just reached its minimum design lifespan on the 10th of this month.

Currently, only IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1I, and NVS-01 remain in the NavIC satellite network to provide navigation services. IRNSS-1B was launched in 2014 and has exceeded its 10-year design life, now operating beyond its intended lifespan.

Reports indicate that by July 2025, India had successfully launched 11 NavIC series satellites. However, five of these have already lost navigation functionality and can only broadcast information; one has been officially decommissioned; and two failed to reach their intended orbits. Among these is NVS-02, launched in January 2025 as a replacement for older satellites. “The Times of India” reports that this satellite experienced a “minor electrical fault” that caused its engine to fail to ignite at a critical moment, preventing it from reaching its designated orbit. Gitanjali Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, previously stated that NVS-03 was scheduled to be launched by the end of 2025, followed by NVS-04 six months later. However, NVS-03 has not yet been launched. Indian media say this has caused delays in satellite launches and a significant lag in satellite replacement progress.

As an Indian regional navigation system, NavIC’s coverage extends over India and surrounding 1,500 kilometers, supporting functions such as real-time train tracking, disaster warning, maritime navigation, and vehicle positioning. Currently, about 8,700 trains in India are connected to the system. Additionally, it serves as a key backup system when India cannot use foreign satellite navigation systems. The Indian government has previously encouraged Indian IT and electronics manufacturers to use NavIC for determining Indian Standard Time. (Li Guozheng)