India will start the process of setting up its indigenous satellite based navigation system (SBNS), by launching its first navigation satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) in the second week of June 2013, reports The Times Of India, adding that this will be first of the seven navigation satellites to be launched. Citing Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman K Radhakrishnan, the report said that this service will offer two types of services - a Standard Positioning Service for all citizens and a restricted service for Government and military purpose. Radhakrishnan also added that this service will allow them to launch several new satellite based services over the next two years, however he didn't disclose any specific information on this. This follows a similar report from January 2013, which had suggested that India will launch its first navigation satellite this year. Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) director S. Ramakrishnan had said that Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) will be launched with PSLV C-22 rocket and after all the seven satellites have been accurately positioned in the space, the government will be able to offer this navigation service. While Ramakrishnan had previously noted that the service is expected to be launched in 2014, a recent The Hindu report suggests that the navigational satellite system will be available only by 2015-2016 and the remaining six navigation satellites are expected to be launched in the next 18 months. Gagan To Be Operational In 2013: The report also added that Gagan (GPS aided geo augmented navigation) project is expected to be operational from 2013. Gagan is a regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) jointly developed…
