Dead Atomic Clock In Space … Scary Thing On Ground

Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran
Mar 17, 2026 | 21:36 IST

From Kargil War to Op Sindoor, India has learned that an indigenous navigation system is critical for its security. But the four-satellite constellation needed for this, is now down to three. NavIC needs urgent medicine



On March 13, 2026, Isro announced that the atomic clock aboard IRNSS-1F had stopped working, with the satellite completing “its 10-year mission life”. While the phrasing was restrained, the impact is worrying.
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