"The certification will enable the aircraft fitted with satellite-based
augmentation system to use Gagan signal in space for en-route navigation
and non-precision approaches without vertical guidance over Indian air
space," the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement
here.
India is the fourth country to offer safety of life, space-based satellite
navigation services to the aviation sector.
The Gagan signal in space will bridge the coverage areas between the European
Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Multi-functional Satellite
Augmented System (MSAS) of Japan and offer seamless navigation to the aviation
sector.
Developed by the space agency and the state-run Airports Authority of India
(AAI), Gagan is part of the global navigation satellite system to offer precision
approach services over the Indian land mass.
"The Gagan signal is being broadcast through our two geostationary earth orbit
satellites - GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 - covering the entire Indian flight information
region and beyond," the statement noted.
GSAT-8 was launched May 21, 2011 and GSAT-10 Sept 29, 2012 onboard the European
Space Agency's Ariane-V rocket from its Kourou spaceport in French Guiana.
An on-orbit spare Gagan transponder will be flown on GSAT-15 in the near future.
US Raytheon has supported the ground infrastructure for the Gagan project.
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