What is the purpose of the GAGAN satellite navigation system?

Explanation

GAGAN stands for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. ISRO describes it as a Satellite Based Augmentation System implemented jointly with the Airports Authority of India. Its purpose is not to create a separate exploration, communication, or weather system; it augments satellite navigation so that civil aviation can get the accuracy and integrity needed for flight operations. GAGAN supports better air traffic management over Indian airspace through satellite-based navigation augmentation. GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation improves GPS-based navigation for aircraft rather than serving a generic space or defence function.

Why the other options are wrong

• (A) Deep space exploration is unrelated because GAGAN provides satellite navigation services for civil aviation, not exploration beyond Earth.
• (B) Military communication is wrong because ISRO identifies GAGAN as an ISRO-AAI navigation augmentation system for civil aviation applications.
• (D) Weather forecasting is wrong because GAGAN is meant to improve satellite-based navigation accuracy and integrity, not to predict weather.

Concept

Satellite-based augmentation of navigation systems is a Science and Technology concept. ISRO systems recur in RAS-style questions through their practical end use: navigation, communication, weather, or exploration.

Source

• Indian Space Research Organisation

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