Consider the following statements about GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) system: 1. It offers free enhanced satellite navigation signals over India which are ten times more precise than GPS. 2. It was developed jointly by ISRO and NASA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) is a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) implemented to provide high-accuracy navigation signals over the Indian Flight Information Region. Statement 1 is correct as GAGAN offers free enhanced signals that significantly improve the accuracy of standard GPS. While GPS provides an accuracy of about 10-15 meters, GAGAN enhances this to within 1.5 meters, making it approximately ten times more precise [1]. Statement 2 is incorrect because GAGAN was developed as a joint project between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), not NASA [1]. The system utilizes a network of ground stations and geostationary satellites like GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 to broadcast correction signals, primarily benefiting civil aviation for precision approaches and safety-of-life applications across the Indian subcontinent.

Sources

1. [1] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > Note: > p. 434