GAGAN

Why in News?

Recently, India enabled the country’s 1^stsatellite‑based landing system approach on a commercial jet aircraft

• GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) – Indigenous Satellite‑Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
• It is a technology that improves GPS by providing real-time correction and integrity information.
• Developed by – ISRO and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Key Features

• Infrastructure –
  • 15 Indian Reference Stations (INRES) – monitor GPS signals. 
  • 2 Indian Master Control Centres (INMCC) – process corrections.
  • 3 Indian Land Uplink Stations (INLUS) – transmit corrections to satellites.
  • 3 Geostationary Satellites (GSAT‑8, GSAT‑10, GSAT‑15) – broadcast corrected signals.
• Unique Achievement –1^st SBAS certified for the equatorial region.
• Interoperability – Compatible with US Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), Europe’s European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), and Japan’s Master Service Agreement (MSAS).

Applications Beyond Aviation

• Maritime Navigation – Accurate positioning in coastal and offshore waters.
• Road Transport – Supports intelligent transport systems and fleet management.
• Railways – Enhances operational safety and efficiency.
• Disaster Management – Enables precise location tracking during emergencies.
• Defence and Security – Strengthens navigation for military operations.
• Telecommunications – Assists in synchronisation of telecom networks.
• Surveying and Mapping – Improves accuracy of land surveys and geospatial mapping.

Quick Facts

Reference

PIB | GAGAN