India's ministry of civil aviation is in the process of implementing an indigenous satellite-based regional GPS augmentation system known as Gagan ("sky" in the Indian classical language of Sanskrit) as part of its satellite-based communications, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) plan for civil aviation.
A national plan for satellite navigation has been prepared jointly by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This includes implementing a technology demonstrator system (TDS) over Indian airspace for proof-of-concept trials. One of the Insat satellites built by ISRO will carry a navigation payload to support the Gagan project. The Insat navigation payload will be compatible with present and future frequencies allocated for civilian GPS.
The Indian space-based augmentation system (SBAS) to support civil aviation will be implemented in three stages - technology demonstrator system, initial experimental phase and final operational phase.
The Indian SBAS system is expected to bridge the gap between Egnos (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System) and the Japanese MSAS to provide seamless navigation of aircraft from west to east and vice versa. When implemented, the Indian SBAS system will play a crucial role in the introduction of satellite-based navigation services in the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: Flight International
