About GAGAN

• • GAGAN is an Indian Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) launched by the Indian government in 2015. GAGAN stands for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation.

• SBAS is a wide area augmentation system that provides augmented accuracy and integrity to a Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) navigation signal such as GPS. 

• GAGAN is implemented to provide required accuracy, continuity, availability, and integrity to enable users/aircrafts to rely on GPS for all phases of flight.
• It was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). 
• There are only four Space-Based augmentation systems available in the world namely India (GAGAN), the United States (Wide Area Augmentation System- WAAS) Europe (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service- EGNOS) and Japan (MTSAT Satellite Augmentation System- MSAS).
• GAGAN is the first such system developed for India and neighbouring countries in the equatorial region.

Benefits from GAGAN

• GAGAN system is being used for effective management of wildlife resources and monitoring of forests.
• It can provide navigational support to Indian railways for signalling.
• The Road Asset Management System (RAMS) is likely to be developed for all National Highways in the country and a modern management system that will use the GAGAN system.
• GAGAN signals can also be used to manage traffic in real time to avoid traffic jams.

Why in News?

• The Airports Authority of India has successfully conducted the light trial using the GAGAN-based Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) Approach Procedures at Rajasthan’s Kishangarh Airport.
• The successful trial is a great achievement and major milestone in the field of Air Navigation Services (ANS) in the history of the Indian Civil Aviation Sector. India is the first country in the Asia Pacific Region to achieve such a landmark.
• The LPV permits aircraft guided approaches that are operationally nearly equivalent to Cat-IILS, without the need for ground-based navigational infrastructure. The service relies on the availability of GPS and GAGAN Geo Stationary Satellites, launched by ISRO.
• The tests, at Kishangarh Airport, were performed as part of initial GAGAN LPV flight trials. After the final approval by DGCA, the procedure will be available for the usage of commercial flights.

Reference:

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1820947