Question 8 from UPSC CSE 2023 - S&T

Question

Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Japan

Strategy: *   Recall which countries operate their own satellite navigation systems.
*   Distinguish between global and regional navigation systems.
*   Identify Japan as the sole country among typical options known for its independent regional system (QZSS).
*   Note that Australia, Canada, and Israel do not operate indigenous systems.

Key Info: Satellite navigation systems are space-based radio navigation systems providing geo-spatial positioning with global coverage.

Major global systems include:
*   **GPS** (United States): Global coverage, first operational GNSS.
*   **GLONASS** (Russia): Global coverage, operated by the Russian government.
*   **Galileo** (European Union): Civilian-controlled global system.
*   **BeiDou** (China): Now offers global coverage.

Regional systems augment or provide navigation over limited areas:
*   **QZSS** - Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (Japan): A regional satellite navigation system covering Japan and the Asia-Oceania region. Its constellation uniquely provides high elevation satellite availability vital for urban and mountainous terrain. QZSS, while interoperable with GPS, is independently operated by Japan.
*   **NavIC** (India): Regional navigation system covering India and surrounding regions.

Australia, Canada, and Israel do not manage or deploy their own indigenous satellite navigation constellations. They rely primarily on US GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou systems for navigation and positioning requirements. Japan stands out among the given options for operating its indigenous, operational, and functional satellite navigation constellation.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Australia

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Canada

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Israel