Atomic Clock Failure : IRNSS | NAVIC : Science and Tech : UPSC 2026

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-21

[00:00:00]NavIC has faced a major setback because of an atomic clock failure. The last working atomic clock on IRNSS-1F has stopped functioning. IRNSS means Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. NavIC means Navigation with Indian Constellation.

[00:00:17]This is India's own regional satellite navigation system. It gives PNT services.

[00:00:23]PNT means position, navigation, and timing.

[00:00:26]After this failure, only three satellites, IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1I, and NVS-01 can provide proper PNT services.

[00:00:38]But a navigation system needs at least four satellites with working atomic clocks to function properly.

[00:00:44]The source also notes that six out of 11 Indian satellites meant for NavIC have failed because of atomic clock problems.

[00:00:52]So, why is an atomic clock so important?

[00:00:55]A navigation satellite sends a signal with the exact time.

[00:00:59]Your receiver checks when the signal reaches it. Then it calculates distance from the satellite.

[00:01:05]This works because signals travel at the speed of light.

[00:01:09]But that also creates a problem.

[00:01:11]Even a tiny timing error can create a big location error.

[00:01:15]So, satellites need extremely accurate clocks.

[00:01:19]An atomic clock measures time using atoms.

[00:01:22]Atoms can move between energy states at a very fixed frequency.

[00:01:26]The clock uses that fixed atomic frequency as its time base.

[00:01:31]Common atoms used include cesium, rubidium, and hydrogen. Many space atomic clocks use rubidium.

[00:01:38]A normal quartz clock can drift by a second in a few days.

[00:01:42]An atomic clock can be so precise that it may gain or lose only 1 second in about 100 million years.

[00:01:50]This is why GPS, NavIC, and other satellite navigation systems depend on atomic clocks.

[00:01:56]So, remember this for UPSC. Atomic clocks are not just timekeeping devices.

[00:02:02]They are the heart of satellite navigation. Without precise time, a satellite cannot give precise location.

[00:02:09]Subscribe to our channel Clarity UPSC and download our app for all science and tech current affairs 2026.