Indian Space News and Discussion

[Arun_S]

Date:30/03/2010 URL: GAGAN : [size="4"][color="blue"][url="%20http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/03/30/stories/2010033051171800.htm"]Space-based navigation to take off in April[/url][/color][/size]

Madhumathi D.S.



Bangalore, March 29



Civil aviation in the country looks set to take the first step towards modern space-based navigation when GSAT-4, the country's first satellite carrying a navigational payload, is flagged off in mid-April.



The navigational payload is only a part of the satellite and is part of the Rs 776-crore GAGAN programme initiated by the Airports Authority of India and the Indian Space Research Organisation at least five years ago.



An ISRO official said GAGAN (GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigational system) would herald the country's move towards seamless modern air traffic management.



Higher reliability



Although this was an augmentation of the US-owned GPS, “We do not have the space segment now. This may eventually do away with terrestrial navigational aids. It will offer higher reliability and enhanced positional accuracy, besides many improvements” to flights, the official told Business Line.



A technology demonstration phase of the project conducted by ISRO and AAI across the country a few years ago proved that GAGAN could indicate aircraft routes and landing points far more precisely than ground based navigation to pilots. Switching into different countries would be smoother.



GPS augmentation



Only the US, Europe and Japan are implementing a GPS augmentation as mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.



GSAT-4, the satellite that carries the GAGAN payload, is due to be launched on April 15, a PTI report said.



However, these improvements in air cannot be expected immediately, the official said. At least one or two more satellites will be needed to fully realise its benefits. The next follow-on satellite carrying the GAGAN payload – the GSAT-8 – is due later.



The GAGAN project was approved in 2008 after a technology demonstration phase. The satellite made in Bangalore has been moved to Sriharikota for pre-launch testing and preparations.



The ground equipment for the GAGAN system, sourced from Raytheon, US, formed a major component of the cost of the project.



Meanwhile, ISRO is working on a GPS-independent Indian regional navigation system of seven satellites.