What is GAGAN? Trail-blazing satellite technology set to transform Indian aviation

India recently conducted Asia's first demonstration of performance-based navigation for helicopters using GAGAN satellite technology for a flight from Juhu to Pune. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiritya Scindia called it a fine example of "Indian aviation sector blazing a trail in innovation!" As country achieves major milestones in field of Air Navigation Services (ANS), here's all you need to know about GAGAN satellite technology that is set to transform Indian aviation.

What is GAGAN?

GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is an Indian Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) jointly developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is first such system developed for India and neighbouring countries in equatorial region. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certified GAGAN System in 2015 for Approach with Vertical Guidance (APV 1) and en-route (RNP 0.1) operations. It should be noted that re are only four Space-Based augmentation systems available in world namely India (GAGAN), Europe (EGNOS), Japan (MSAS) and US (WAAS). GAGAN is first such system developed for India and neighbouring countries in equatorial region.

GAGAN provides ditional accuracy, availability, and integrity required to enable users to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, from en route through approach for all qualified airports within GAGAN service volume.

GAGAN also provides capability for increased accuracy in position reporting, enabling more uniform and high-quality Air Traffic Management (ATM). Moreover, GAGAN provides benefits beyond aviation to all modes of transportation, including maritime, railros, highways and public services such as defence services, telecom industry, security agencies and personal users of position location applications.

How GAGAN works?

According to Airports Authority of India (AAI), GAGAN uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentations to GPS standard positioning service (SPS) navigation signal.

"A network of precisely surveyed ground reference stations (Indian Reference Stations- INRES) is strategically positioned across country to collect GPS satellite data. Using this information, master control centre (Indian Master Control Centre- INMCC) generates messages to correct any signal errors. se correction messages are n uplinked through (Indian Land Uplink Station - INLUS) and brocast through communication satellites (Geostationary) to receivers onboard aircraft using same frequency as GPS," AAI said.