Union Government launches GAGAN, aviation navigation system
Union Government has launched GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system, for aviation navigation. It was launched by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in New Delhi.
Facts about GAGAN system
- Jointly developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
- It will provide augmentation service for GPS over the India, Bay of Bengal, South-east Asia and Middle East along with expansion up to Africa.
- The system with the help of reference and uplink station will provide corrections to the GPS signal in order to improve air traffic management.
- It is 10 times more precise compared to GPS and radio navigation aids used for precision landing.
- Presently, GAGAN Payload is already operational through GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 satellites. The 3rd payload will be carried onboard GSAT-15 satellite to be launched October 2015.
- Benefits: It will make airline operations more efficient by increasing fuel savings, direct routes, ease of search and rescue operations, reduced workload of flight crew and Air Traffic Controllers and cost savings due to withdrawal of ground aids.
With this launch, India became the fourth nation in the world to have inter-operable Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) after US, Europe and Japan. It should be noted that GAGAN is the first SBAS system in the world to serve the equatorial region.
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Month: Current Affairs - July, 2015