GAGAN SCHEME
Firstly, the finding of aircraft is a great feat for humans. The credit of this should go for the Wright brothers. Because of their invention, flying in the sky made it possible. Airways are the fastest mode of transport. It is fast and convenient. Certainly, until this invention flying in the sky was a dream for mankind. But in India, air transport is still yet to become an effective and widely chosen way of traffic.
History
However, the history is fascinating. It was started in the city of Allahabad. Firstly, the Polo ground in Allahabad is a vital place for India. Because from here, the first commercial flight took off. This plane flew for 6 miles between Allahabad and Naini. It carried a mail on this journey.
The six miles trip created a stepping stone for today’s progress. The key event occurred in the British era. After this event, there was no looking back from India in air transport. Hence it all started a century ago. Certainly, we came a long way from there.
After this landmark, the country has seen many new aircraft and air routes each year. India is the home for more than1.3 a billion people. The lower- and middle-class people dream to have a flight trip. But the government wants to give these facilities to its citizens.
In addition, the government wants to give air trips at a nominal price. Hence, to achieve this, the government has taken many notable steps and schemes such as Udan. But the aircraft needs to be more secured and safer. To fulfill this goal, the government has taken many steps. One such scheme is GAGAN.
We heard that having a goal is important. Navigation is the most vital thing for reaching the goal. The trip towards the goal needs a precise guide. There is no need to tell that the guide should be accurate. But the precision doesn’t come for free. It requires advanced tools.
By gaining good skill and precision, life becomes easier. To guide the flying machine, it needs classy and improved tools and instruments. To fulfill this, the government has announced many plans and schemes. The new and one of the most significant programs added to this attempt is the GAGAN.
Introduction of the GAGAN scheme
The Union government of India has launched the GAGAN scheme in 2001. The word Gagan means space in the Hindi language. But the name Gagan is the acronym form for GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation. This is one of the biggest projects of AAI.
Firstly, the scheme is one of the determined schemes of the government of India. The execution of this scheme is done by SBAS. The motto of this scheme is to improve the precision of the GNSS receiver. GNSS sends reference signals. GNSS receiver is a satellite navigation (satnav) system.
It uses satellites to provide an autonomous geo-spatial locating. But the government wants to improve the navigation accuracy of all Indian airlines. By doing this it can provide a good quality of services. The former civil aviation minister Ashok Ganapati Raju has launched this scheme in New Delhi. So, this scheme was the need of the hour. In this vast nation, perfect navigation helps in a million ways.
The key goal of this scheme is to provide navigation to help aircraft in an accurate landing. And with this attaining the safety of its civilian. The perfect landing is safer and efficient. As a result, it takes a lot of problems out of the equation.
Key Features of GAGAN scheme
Firstly, the Gagan scheme has many unique features. The scheme includes many returns. The big-budget plan must have many benefits, isn’t it? The good news is it has. So why wait? Let us look at the features. This will help you understand this scheme.
It is the collaboration of ISRO and AAI
This vast scheme is an alliance between the country’s two major government bodies. The ISRO and AAI. These two have come together to implement the project. What will happen if two great things come tighter? It will create history, isn’t it? This course of action also created history. Do you wonder why ISRO is included? The inclusion of ISRO was necessary. Because it involves launching the various satellites to perfect the accuracy in the navigation.
A 15-year project
The government has structured this scheme for fifteen years. This plan comes with a budget of rupees 7.74 billion. It costs around USD 110 million approximately. The scheme was launched in 2001 and was completed in 2015. And it is needless to say it was a big success. Further, it is a dream project in the country. So, here the money does not matter.
Implementation
The government created the USD 110 million budget project in three phases. It is done by AAI with the help of ISRO and space support. The aim is to provide an improved navigation system to airspaces. And also, for the adjoining areas. Hence the implementation of this task is a tough one. But it has handsomely been handled by these two. As a result, we can see a grand success.
The space component came available with the launch of the Gagan payload. The launch has done using the GSAT-8 communication satellite launch. The payload is also an element of the GSAT -4 satellite. But we lost it with the failure of the geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) in April 2010. But after that, in June 2012, they conducted a final acceptance test. And it completes the system certificate in July 2013. Failure didn’t make much difference. But it has shown a way for grand success.
Now GAGAN Payload is fully operational through GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 satellites. The 3rd payload with the onboard GSAT-15 satellite was successfully tested in 2015. After this, there was no turning back.
Most importantly, this is how the plan is implemented. Surely it was not a cakewalk. They had faced many obstacles in the way. However, it did not stop them from reaching the goal.
Benefits of GAGAN scheme
Indeed, with this much big size project, it must provide many benefits to the people and citizens of a country. Thankfully, it did not disappoint anyone. It comes with a bundle of benefits to India. The credit must go for the executive committee. The scheme comes with many benefits. They are as follows.
Provides better air traffic management
This navigation technology used here is one of the best. By introducing this scheme, the landing of airplanes is now precise. The reason for this is simple. This technology is ten times precise than GPS and radio waves. As a result, it enables the excellent supervision of air traffic. And helped to close monitoring of air traffic. All these added up to efficiency. And also, it is safe.
Efficiency
This scheme helped to make air transport more efficient. The improved navigation system helps to save fuel. And makes a precise route map. All these steps make the system more efficient.
Reduction in Workload
The improved technology helps to reduce the workload of the crews. The manual work of ground aids while landing has become out of the equation. It also helps in other areas. Certainly, a new skill made life easy.
It saves more
Change is the only constant in life. It applies to all aspects of life. Hence moving from manual to new things will benefit. In addition, it also helps to save money in a large amount. The usage of this system proves to be a great investment for the government in the long run. Don’t you think so?
Enhance in Safety and Security
Natural disasters are not a new thing for all countries. Major disasters will happen at least once in a decade. If not yearly or more often. In this kind of state, a better navigation system will help. Gagan help to reach this goal. With the help of this system rescuing people will become easier. But merely having a great air force to rescue the people is not enough. It needs great technology to support it.
The launch of the Gagan scheme is successful in India. With this success, India became the fourth nation in the world to have its own interoperable SBAS. The others are the United States of America, Europe, and Japan. Adding to this, the scheme is the first SBAS system in the world to serve the equatorial region. Thus, this system made India proud. Hence, these are the significant rewards of this scheme.
More About the GAGAN scheme
There are many things apart from the above-said points. In this scheme, there are many satellites used. Each phase of development was crucial. We have to appreciate the work of the scientist here. They achieved this great work with a lot of dedication. Yes, there was a failure once, but it didn’t stop reaching the goal. so, let us look at the satellites used here. You must be happy to know about this part as well.
Satellites Used In this GAGAN scheme
Firstly, success didn’t come in one go. This project went through many phases. Under this scheme total, it uses three satellites. Each satellite helped to achieve success equally.
GSAT- 8
This satellite is the first spacecraft used in this project. This Satellite was successfully launched on 21 May 2011. This was launched using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Ariane is a European heavy-lift launchpad. It is located in a geosynchronous orbit at 55 degrees E longitude.
GSAT -10
This is the second satellite used under this project. It was launched after one year of GSAT -8. This is the Indian geostationary satellite. They envisaged augmenting the growing need for C and Ku-band transponders. It carries 12 Ku Band, 12 C Band, and 12 extensive C Band transponders, and a GAGAN payload. This satellite has the standard of I-3K design with a power handling potential of around 6 kW with a lift-off volume of 3400 kg. Ariane 5 successfully launched gSAT-10 on 29 September 2012.
GSAT-15
This satellite is the last spacecraft launched for this project. After the three-year gap of the second satellite this spacecraft launched. The Gagan payload has been launched successfully on 10 November 2015. It carries 24 Ku band transponders with an India exposure beam. With this, the fruitful project was completed.
Conclusion
Thus, India has flourished with the execution of this big scheme. Firstly, it helped the country massively. Secondly, the fame of the nation also spread across the world. The credit must go to the Gagan project. The success of the Gagan scheme gave massive confidence to the country. It showed the scientists of India are equal to any other nation’s scientists. Hence the capability of India proved.
Above all, it helped the country in an enormous way. Because of this feat, the Indian air force has helped many citizens who were in danger. And also carried out many other vital operations both inside and outside of the country. If you are an Indian, you must be proud of this achievement. Aren’t you? Certainly, it is an achievement every Indian should cherish.
Official Website:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS-aided_GEO_augmented_navigation
https://gssc.esa.int/navipedia/index.php/GAGAN
For more technical information
General Manager- CNS,
AAI- Airport Authority of India,
GAGAN Complex, ITPL Road, Kundalahalli, Bangalore- 560037, India
Fax: +91 8028543788