Satellite navigation in final stage
With the operation of India’s new satellite-based air navigation system, Gagan, three years away, the government is moving one step closer, with the launch of the “final operational phase” on Tuesday by civil aviation minister Praful Patel. Airports Authority of India (AAI) sources said the final operational phase would include assembling of all equipment, getting the satellites in place and certification of the system.
The civil aviation ministry said India would be the fourth country in the world to have a satellite-based air navigation system once Gagan is fully operational. The Gagan project is being jointly developed by the AAI and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
By 2013, India will make the crucial switch from ground-based navigation systems to the satellite-based navigation systems. The Gagan system will include reference stations, land uplink stations and 24 satellites positioned in six “earth-centred orbital planes”.
The aircraft will be guided by Air Traffic Controllers using satellite-based navigation.
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