GPS

100% FDi in gPS units soon in india

The Government of India is all set to allow 100% foreign direct investment in global positioning system (GPS)-enabled devices. At present, there is 100% FDI in products under telecom equipment category. A notification would soon be issued about bringing GPS-enabled systems under the list of FDI-approved telecom equipment. Of late, the demand for GPS-based security systems has gathered steam following recent bomb blasts in various Indian cities.

The GPS is a space-based radio navigation system that provides reliable positioning, navigation and timing services to civilian users on a continuous worldwide basis. The technology is applied in the areas of roads and highways, space, aviation, rail, agriculture and public security. GPS tags which are installed at various locations help track real time movements.

According to sources, there was confusion among the policy makers over FDI in manufacture of GPS-enabled systems, even though there is 100% FDI in manufacture of telecom equipment in India. “Once approved, GPS would become part of telecom equipment in list of FDI-approved manufacturing activities,” a source said.

The issue of FDI in GPS systems came up recently in a series of meetings held by the foreign investment promotion board (FIPB). Of late, many Indian companies have evinced interest to manufacture GPS devices in joint venture with foreign counterparts. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Russia ready to help Cuba develop its own space center

Russia shall assist Cuba to develop its own space center, announced the head of the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos, Anatoly Perminov recently. He is part of the Russian emissaries who are led by the deputy prime minister, Igor Sechin, on the tour he is making Moscow by different Latin American countries. “During the negotiations with our Cuban colleagues, we have analyzed the fulfillment of agreements reached about two months ago. They are preparing agreements on cooperation in the use of space for civilian purposes, on the space navigation system GLONASS and navigational aids on the territory of Cuba, “said Prminov. http:// cast-in-gold.blogspot.com/2008/10/russiaready-to-help-cuba-develop-its.html

Three glonass satellites launched

Three Glonass satellites were launched into orbit on 25 September from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Khazakstan. The satellites are part of a constellation currently designed to operate with 16 satellites. However, only 13 are currently operating at capacity. The system, which is used for both civilian and military purposes, had 9.9 billion rubles allocated to it by the Russian government last year, according to a report in RIA Novoski.

GPS transponders to assist fishermen in distress at sea in Ahmedabad, India

To assist the fishermen in distress when at sea, the Indian Coast Guard along with the Space Application Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad and VXL Technologies Ltd, Faridabad, have jointly developed a low-cost GPS based alert system. It transmits the boat’s co-ordinates to the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai. The distress alerts sent out by the boats will be picked up by the INSAT 3A satellite which will relay the same to the reception centre at the MRCC. www.indianexpress.com

Forestland mapping in gujarat using GPS

Forestland mapping under Scheduled Tribes and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Right) Act, 2006 will no more be a long-drawn paper work in Gujarat. The Gujarat Tribal Development Department shall soon begin a pilot project to survey forestland claimed by forest dwellers and tribals using GPS. www.indianexpress.com