The Hindu Business Line : Indigenous satellite navigation system on the anvil

INDIA plans to build its own version of a satellite-based regional GPS Augmentation System, consisting of a cluster of satellites, to emerge as a major hub in air navigation and other important services.

The programme is called GAGAN — GPS and GEO Augmented Navigation. The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to implement the project with active support from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The indigenous system, better known as Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), would be part of the satellite-based communications, navigation and surveillances/Air Traffic Management plan for civil aviation, according to the latest Parliamentary Standing Committee report on the Department of Space.

A national plan for satellite navigation, including the implementation of Technology Demonstration System (TDS) over the Indian airspace as a proof of concept, has been jointly prepared by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the ISRO.

The Indian SBAS or GAGAN would be implemented in three phases — the TDS, initial experimental phase and final operational phase.

The major objective is to bridge the gap between the European EGNOS (European Geo Stationary Navigation Overlay System) and the Japanese MSAS (MTSAT Space Augmentation System), which would help provide seamless navigation of aircraft from West to East and vice-versa.

When implemented, the Indian GAGAN will play an important role in the introduction of satellite-based navigation services in the Asia Pacific region.

The first major milestone in the programme is slated to be the launch of the first navigation payload (now under fabrication) on the GSAT-4 satellite, which is expected to be launched during 2006-07, the report said.

The Parliamentary Committee observed that India was well placed at the axis of routes connecting Europe with Southeast Asia and by having an indigenous satellite-based regional GPS augmentation system, it could gain both in terms of market and strategic importance.

The Director of ISRO's Satellite Application Centre (SAC), Bangalore, Dr P.S. Goel, said the Indian regional navigation satellite system concept has already been cleared by the Space Commission and was ready to be translated into a project.

The idea is to build a low-cost satellite navigation system, which would have seven geostationary satellites, always visible and covering the region, he told Business Line.

Currently, the EU is working on the euro 3.2-billion project Galileo, while Russia is pursuing GLONASS, both based on a constellation of satellites.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page