The GPS-Aided Geo-Augmented Navigation system - the equivalent of WAAS or EGNOS - has been delayed by a launch failure.
On 28 July, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that the GAGAN payload on board GSAT4 - launched by them on 15 April - did not achieve a geo orbit due to the failure of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
GAGAN will provide the same facilities and format as the US WAAS and European EGNOS systems - integrity status, differential corrections and additional GPS navigation signals - basically for civil aviation, but available for all GPS/GLONASS users.
A technical problem in ISRO's cryogenic engine led to the GSLV with the satellite falling into the Bay of Bengal.
ISRO confirms that it will be launching 2 more GAGAN payloads, one each on 2 geostationary satellites - GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 - but schedules are still to be finalised.
However, ISRO confirm that no launches will take place until it can prove beyond doubt the reliability of the Indian-built cryogenic engine and this could lead to a delay of up to 3 years before GAGAN becomes operational.
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