The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) acquired by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), with assistance from China, would become functional by June 2013. The GNSS is a set of navigation satellites orbiting the earth and providing a geo-spatial positioning service worldwide.
The system allows a small electronic receiver to determine its location using time signals transmitted from these navigation satellites.
Talking to APP, SUPARCO spokesperson Hassam Khan said that the GNSS had tremendous applications in the fields of surveying and mapping, precision agriculture, construction and deformation monitoring, transport and aviation management, mining and agriculture, computerised land management and administration and plate-tectonics studies.
Recognizing and appreciating the large number of important applications of GNSS, SUPARCO recently organized a symposium and gathered all GNSS stakeholders, including government officials, decision makers, entrepreneurs and academia to emphasize GNSS technology and its enormous use for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
Hassam said that SUPARCO had been mandated to develop satellite technology and applications in Pakistan. “Technology is emerging in Pakistan rapidly,” he said, “Pakistan is rich in mineral resources and an efficient system of surveying is a demand of the industry.”
He said that computerization of land parcel had also been undertaken by the government and that the Civil Aviation Authority Pakistan (CAA) was also planning to deploy space-based and ground-based infrastructure for all phases of navigation line.
Talking about applications of GNSS, he said it included digital map production for road vehicle navigation, public safety and disaster management, mapping and resource positioning, mining and quarrying among others. Replying to a question regarding the economic importance of the technology, he said that the current market was worth $150 billion and was expected to increase to more than $220 billion by 2020, as per a survey of GSA GNSS Market Survey 2012.
“The GNSS technology has the potential to provide economic and strategic opportunities,” he said.
He emphasized the need for technology companies, academia, research institutions, investors and venture capitalists to help boost the use and applications of GNSS in the country.
