India To Get Satellite Navigation System Entitled 'Gagan'

India is all set to launch a satellite navigation system entitled, 'GAGAN' which stands for GPS Aided Geo Navigation. The aim of the device is to reduce the chances of air traffic disasters by communicating directional guidance from outer space.

The GAGAN project receives GPS signals from international satellites, but it boosts their accuracy, locking a plane's position anywhere in India to within three meters. When this refined data is beamed to pilots, they will be able to navigate without fear even in bad weather and land at geographically tough airports like Mangalore and Leh. Pilots will also be able to plot shorter, direct flights to destinations.

This is made possible by tracking satellites from 15 locations across India and comparing and correcting their data in Bangalore. To end India's dependence on foreign GPS signals, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch seven Indian satellites in the next five years.

When ISRO's satellites are placed into orbit, India will join the USA, Russia and European Union, who run their own GPS networks.

SOURCE:IBN Live