The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) acquired by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), with the assistance of China, will become functional by June.
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. SUPARCO spokesperson Hassam Khan said the GNSS has 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 the study of plate tectonics.
In recognition of these applications, SUPARCO organised a symposium and gathered all stakeholders including government officials, decision makers, entrepreneurs and academia to introduce the technology and its use for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
Hassam said the SUPARCO had a mandate to develop satellite technology and applications in Pakistan. Technology is an emerging area in Pakistan, he said, the country is rich in mineral resources and an efficient system for surveys is the need of the hour.
He said the computerisation of land parcel had been undertaken by the government, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is planning to deploy space based and ground based infrastructure for all phases of the navigation line.
Talking about the GNSS’s applications, he said it included a digital map production for road vehicle navigation, public safety and disaster management, mapping and resource positioning, mining and quarrying among others.
Talking about the economic importance of the technology, he said the current market was worth $150 billion and was expected to increase to $220 billion by 2020, according to the GSA GNSS Market Survey 2012. “GNSS technology has the potential to provide economic and strategic opportunities,” he said.
