Union Government has launched GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system, for aviation navigation. It was launched by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in New Delhi. 



Facts about GAGAN system

• Jointly developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI). It will provide augmentation service for GPS over the India, Bay of Bengal, South-east Asia and Middle East along with expansion up to Africa. 
• The system with the help of reference and uplink station will provide corrections to the GPS signal in order to improve air traffic management.
•  It is 10 times more precise compared to GPS and radio navigation aids used for precision landing. Presently, GAGAN Payload is already operational through GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 satellites. 
• The 3rd payload will be carried onboard GSAT-15 satellite to be launched October 2015.

 Benefits:

•  It will make airline operations more efficient by increasing fuel savings, direct routes, ease of search and rescue operations,
•  reduced workload of flight crew and Air Traffic Controllers and cost savings due to withdrawal of ground aids. 
• With this launch, India became the fourth nation in the world to have inter-operable Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) after US, Europe and Japan.
•  It should be noted that GAGAN is the first SBAS system in the world to serve the equatorial region.