Current navigation satellite systems (Global Positioning System (GPS), GLObal'naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) and BeiDou‐2) have enabled quality of life improvements on a global scale. The applications include in the fields of transportation, military, aviation and security etc. Annual business market value of Global Navigation Satellite System user equipment and related components has been estimated at billions of US dollars. To reap the benefits maximally, various countries are developing their Regional Navigation Satellite Systems (RNSSs). Independent RNSS guarantees uninterrupted and reliable services with an advantage of the customised coverage. This study presents the design of two constellation models, including a Highly Elliptical Orbit/Geostationary Orbit (HEO/GEO) and a Geostationary Orbit/Inclined Geosynchronous (GEO/IGS) constellation for Pakistan's regional navigation system. The performance analysis of the navigation ability of designed constellations is carried out by analysing various parameters such as number of satellites, Dilution of Precision and navigation accuracy in a constrained environment and comparing these parameters with the GPS using dynamic simulations. Navigation link budget of both constellations is theoretically calculated, verified and compared with that of the GPS. Parametric analysis proposes that HEO/GEO and GEO/IGS orbit‐based constellations can be adopted as replacement of the GPS for independent navigation within Pakistan.

A hybrid Highly elliptical orbit (HEO)‐based regional navigation system is optimized by examining the impact of variation of orbital parameters on navigation performance of the system. The principle of optimization is based on the following requirements: L and S band carrier frequency (user/receiver segment) link budget, satellite accessibility and dwell time over the area of interest, geometric configuration of the system, navigation accuracy, and constellation stability. The optimization algorithm is partnered with a dynamic simulation process. The optimal parameters (semi‐major axis, inclination, eccentricity, right ascension of ascending node, etc.) of the HEO‐based regional navigation system have been selected based on the results of the optimization process. The proposed hybrid system with four HEO and one geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite is a cost‐efficient and high‐accuracy navigation solution as compared with other regional systems.