Indian Space Capabilities

[Dark Angel]

Look at the size of this thing man o man



http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/contents/2010/pdf/S200_STATIC_TEST-01.pdf

 

[rajgoynar]

ISRO to launch two more satellites by December


CHENNAI: The Indian Space Research Organization ( ISRO) has planned two more launches a PSLV and a GSLV mission in December.

Talking to reporters after delivering the valedictory address at Aarrush-2010', a techno-management Fest organised at SRM University, eminent scientist and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Director PS Veeraraghavan said both the launches would take place with a few weeks' gap.

The first would be PSLV-C16 mission which would place Resourcesat satellite and two other satellites -- a 90 kg satellite developed by Singapore University and a 90 kg Youthsat, developed by students of Russian and Indian universities -- in orbit.

This would be followed by a GSLV-F06 mission, using the Russian cryogenic stage, to place Indian Communication Satellite GSAT-5B in the GST orbit.



ISRO to launch two more satellites by December - Chennai - City - The Times of India

 

[trident2010]

'We're launching Chandrayaan-2 for a total coverage of the moon'


On August 30, India's second unmanned scientific mission to the moon, the Rs 425-crore Chandrayaan-2, slated for launch in 2013, a joint Indo-Russian flight, from Sriharikota, took a definite shape with the seven scientific instruments or payloads five on the India-built orbiter and two on the indigenous rover being announced by ISRO. A high-level committee headed by U R Rao , chairman, Advisory Committee on Space Sciences, made the choice of instruments . Srinivas Laxman talks to Rao, who was also chairman of ISRO between 1984 and 1994:

India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 had accomplished nearly 95 per cent of its scientific objectives and is considered a success internationally. Why is India returning to the moon?

There are still a lot of outstanding issues about the moon, which have to be resolved in greater depth. Some of the experiments of Chandrayaan-1, moreover, achieved only 50 per cent to 70 per cent of their objectives. Again, due to power limitations, the Terrain Mapping Camera of Chandrayaan-1 could map only 45 per cent of the moon. We are launching Chandrayaan-2 because we need a total coverage of the moon, employ improved and new technology and obtain better quality photo imageries. The orbiter with the five payloads will be flying at an altitude of 200 km above the lunar surface and we estimate that its lifespan would be for two years depending on the use of the propellant.

A significant aspect of Chandrayaan-2 is that the orbiter, unlike in Chandrayaan-1, does not have any foreign payloads even though NASA and the European Space Agency showed interest. Is there any reason why foreign payloads have been removed?

As per the present plan we do not have any weight in the orbiter for foreign payloads. We were keen on giving an opportunity to our scientists. This is why we decided not to invite international participation this time. Keeping this in view we, unlike in Chandrayaan-1, did not issue a formal Announcement of Opportunity calling for international participation. Even at the last moment if we decide to have foreign payloads on Chandrayaan-2 after making weight allowances, we have to issue an Announcement of Opportunity, an elaborate exercise, which can delay the flight. The total mass of the five payloads on the orbiter is about 40 kg at the moment and we are trying to reduce it, which may be difficult.

In Chandrayaan-1 many Indian scientists regretted that their achievements were sidelined especially with regard to the discovery of water and NASA took away the credit. Is this a reason why the committee eliminated foreign instruments on board Chandrayaan-2?

[ Laughs ] The instruments were chosen based purely on their scientific merit. The weight of Indian rover was earlier stipulated as 15 kg. Has this been finalised and what will be its lifespan?

It will be more than that. It will function only for a few days on the surface of the moon because of power limitations. It will carry its own power. The design and development of the rover is a new technology for us. For the orbiter we have selected the right altitude of 200 km above the moon's surface for it to fly because too many corrections are not needed at this altitude. (The flight plan envisages the lander with the rover detaching from the orbiter at a certain point near the moon and soft landing on the lunar surface, the place has yet to be finalised. Thereafter, the rover will move out of the lander.)



'We're launching Chandrayaan-2 for a total coverage of the moon' - Edit Page - Opinion - Home - The Times of India

 

[RPK]

Chandrayaan-2 will try out new ideas, technologies Ramnath Shenoy - Hindustan Times

Chandrayaan-2, the proposed second Indian mission to moon, would undertake "extremely good" experiments and try out new technologies but accommodating foreign payloads on board does not appear to be a possibility at this stage. The first edition of the moon odyssey had six foreign payloads and five Indian ones on board but heavy orbiter (satellite) and lander weight this time has put constraints on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in terms of carry-load of instruments. "One of the problems was weight consideration.

Weight limitation is overall boundary within which we have to work", Prof U R Rao, who chaired the national committee of experts drawn from ISRO centres, academic institutions and R&D laboratories which finalised the payloads to be flown on board Chandrayaan-2 (orbiter and rover), told PTI.

With a heavy orbiter and lander, the weight of the payloads cannot exceed 40 kg. Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft weighs about 2,650 kg at lift-off of which the orbiter weight is about 1,400 kg and lander's about 1,250 kg.

The mission, which will have an orbiter, a lander and a rover, is planned to be launched onboard Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, in 2013.

While the lander would be provided by Russia, the orbiter and the rover are being built by ISRO. Prof Rao, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Space Sciences (ADCOS) and former Chairman of ISRO, said there were informal discussions with players from the US and Europe on flying their payloads, even though ISRO had not issued "availability of opportunity" for foreign instruments.

"Right now, the weight problem is very serious", he said indicating that foreign payloads may not be included at all. "We just don’t have the weight. We cannot select payloads which cannot go".

But Rao said one or two additional Indian payloads might be included. "Obviously, we will give preference to Indian payloads now. We have to provide as much opportunities as possible to Indian scientists".

But he said the Russians would conduct experiments with their lander. Rao said Chandrayaan-2 would carry out experiments based on the discoveries of its predecessor. "It will conduct extremely good experiments, try out very new ideas and new technologies."

 

[trident2010]

Chandrayaan-2 will try out new ideas, technologies

A model of the Chandrayaan space probe displayed by ISRO as part of the Indian Science Congress held in Thiruvananthapuram. File Photo



Chandrayaan-2, the proposed second Indian mission to moon, would undertake “extremely good” experiments and try out new technologies but accommodating foreign payloads on board does not appear to be a possibility at this stage.

The first edition of the moon odyssey had six foreign payloads and five Indian ones on board but heavy orbiter (satellite) and lander weight this time has put constraints on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in terms of carry-load of instruments.

“One of the problems was weight consideration. Weight limitation is overall boundary within which we have to work”, Prof U.R. Rao, who chaired the national committee of experts drawn from ISRO centres, academic institutions and R&D laboratories which finalised the payloads to be flown on board Chandrayaan-2 (orbiter and rover), said.

With a heavy orbiter and lander, the weight of the payloads cannot exceed 40 kg.

Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft weighs about 2,650 kg at lift-off of which the orbiter weight is about 1,400 kg and lander’s about 1,250 kg.

The mission, which will have an orbiter, a lander and a rover, is planned to be launched onboard Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, in 2013.

While the lander would be provided by Russia, the orbiter and the rover are being built by ISRO.

Prof Rao, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Space Sciences (ADCOS) and former Chairman of ISRO, said there were informal discussions with players from the US and Europe on flying their payloads, even though ISRO had not issued “availability of opportunity” for foreign instruments.

“Right now, the weight problem is very serious”, he said indicating that foreign payloads may not be included at all. “We just don’t have the weight. We cannot select payloads which cannot go“.

But Rao said one or two additional Indian payloads might be included.

“Obviously, we will give preference to Indian payloads now. We have to provide as much opportunities as possible to Indian scientists“.

But he said the Russians would conduct experiments with their lander.

Rao said Chandrayaan-2 would carry out experiments based on the discoveries of its predecessor. “It will conduct extremely good experiments; try out very new ideas and new technologies.”

A week ago, the committee, after detailed discussions on mission requirements, weight and power availability for scientific payloads, announced that it has recommended five payloads to be flown on the orbiter of which three are new and two are improved versions of the payloads flown earlier on Chandrayaan-1 orbiter.

It also recommended two scientific payloads on the rover of the lunar odyssey. All the seven are Indian payloads.

Rao said it is for the first time that India is carrying a lander and rover which would carry out in—situ experiments which are “always something of great importance“.

He pointed to the planned landing “right at the point”, carrying out in-situ experiments and transmitting from the antenna on the lander.

The US and Russia have undertaken missions involving lander and rover in the past, he said, adding, “Certainly we (India) are right there on the top“.

Rao said he was sure if China, which has the capability of sending such a mission, has done lunar landing of this type.

Underlining the importance of the proposed moon mission, Rao said India has to get into the “business of landers and rovers” sooner or later.

He indicated that the mission would contribute to enhancing knowledge as and when New Delhi decides to undertake a manned mission to moon which ISRO officials maintain could be a possibility in next ten to 15 years.

“May be in future.....manned moon mission.... We don’t know when...,” he said.

Rao said India is seeing Chandrayaan-2 mission as an opportunity to develop new technologies in a “comprehensive way“.

ISRO officials said the five recommended payloads of the orbiter are aimed at mapping the major elements present on the lunar surface and probe the presence of water and various chemicals in the Earth’s natural satellite.

It also covers mapping of lunar surface over a wide wavelength range for the study of presence of minerals, water molecules and various chemicals, and the lunar exosphere besides preparing a three-dimensional map essential for experiments relating to lunar mineralogy and geology.

Both the instruments on Chandrayaan-2 rover are expected to carry out elemental analysis of the lunar surface near the landing site, they added.




The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Science : Chandrayaan-2 will try out new ideas, technologies

 

[marcos98]

Data From Chandrayaan Moon Mission To Go Public​

BY: Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Voluminous scientific data, including rare images of the moon, from India’s maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 will be made public by the year-end.

“People will have free access to the huge data obtained from our first moon mission on a web portal that will be launched by this year-end,” a senior scientist of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said here.

“The data has been split into two seasons, with the first dealing from November 2008 to February 2009 and the second from March to August 2009. The first season data will be archived by year-end and the second by mid-2011,” said ISRO’s space application centre director B Gopala Krishna.

A total of 26 gigabytes of data and images will be uploaded after archiving the first season.

The archives will include chemical and mineral mapping, high resolution three-dimensional mapping and topographical features.

The state-run ISRO launched the 514 kg mooncraft onboard the polar satellite launch vehicle on October 22, 2008 from its spaceport Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km northeast of Chennai.

The Rs 3.9-billion Chandrayaan was the first mooncraft to have confirmed the presence of water on the moon.

After a 10-month rendezvous with the earth’s only natural satellite, the mission was terminated Aug 30, 2009 when the space agency’s Deep Space Network (DSN) at Bylalu, about 40 km from here, lost radio contact with Chandrayaan after computers onboard became non-functional.

“Though the dedicated portal will have a catalogue of the data, specific information will be made available for students and scholars pursuing research in space exploration,” Krishna said.

Indian space scientists are currently reviewing the voluminous data, including about 70,000 images relayed to DSN by the 10 scientific instruments Chandrayaan carried to the lunar orbit, about 100 km from the moon’s surface and over 400,000 km from the earth.

“Our scientists from various planetary groups are beginning to peer review the data from 10 of the 11 payloads. The same will be made accessible to the public as the lock-in period for the principal investigators of the mission to analyse will end by December,” Krishna said.

Of the 11 instruments, five were Indian and six were from the US and Europe.

ISRO scientists have used the planetary data system, developed by the US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for preservation and utilisation of the archived information.

“We are also in the process of generating a topographical atlas and a mineralogical atlas of the moon from the data,” Krishna noted.

Detailed mapping of moon’s mineralogy and topography will pave way for further research possibilities.

“We will prepare an atlas of the moon with latitude, longitude, colours of areas, ice water, minerals and terrain from the sheets of topography in the data,” Krishna added.

Chandrayaan accomplished 95 percent of its scientific and technological objectives before its mission was called off prematurely. It had been programmed to orbit the moon for nearly two years.

 

[RPK]

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : ISRO successfully conducts static testing of new age rocket

GSLV-Mk III, which is currently under advanced stage of development, uses two solid strap-on boosters (S200), L110 liquid stage and a cryogenic upper stage C-25

Six months after a failed test, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the second static testing of its liquid core stage (L110) of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk -III), according to a press release.

The test lasted 200 seconds at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) test facility at Mahendragiri today (September 8, 2010) at 15:50 hrs.

L110 is one of the heaviest earth storable liquid stages ever developed by ISRO. L110 stage had two high pressure Vikas engines in a clustered configuration. Nearly 500 health parameters were monitored during the test and the initial data acquired indicates its normal performance.

Today’s successful test of L110 for its full flight duration of 200 seconds, is a major milestone in the earth storable liquid rocket programme of ISRO and a significant step forward in the development of GSLV-Mk III launch vehicle.

ISRO conducted the test for 150 seconds at LPSC test facility on March 5 this year. While the test was originally targeted for 200 seconds it was stopped at 150 seconds since a deviation in one of the parameters - minor leakage in the command system - was observed.

It may be recalled that GSLV-Mk III, which is currently under advanced stage of development, uses two solid strap-on boosters (S200), L110 liquid stage and a cryogenic upper stage C-25

 

[rajgoynar]

ISRO successfully tests propellants system of GSLV-M III



The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully tested the propellant system of the body's soon-to-be launch mega vehicle, in the Tamil Nadu's Mahendragiri district on Thursday.

In a landmark experiment, a team of eminent scientists and experts from ISRO carried out the static testing of the liquid core stage of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-M III).

Lasting for 200 seconds, the test was deemed a 'success' by the ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan.

Radhakrishnan said there was just one other test that was required to be undertaken before giving the green signal for the final launch of the satellite carrier into space.

"The GSLV-M III, has three propulsion elements that give power to the rocket. The first one is solid motor...solid means solid propellants used in the rocket motors. Two such rocket motors have been used. Then the second stage is the liquid stage that will be tested today, and the third stage is the cryogenic stage which we are developing," explained Radhakrishnan.

The ISRO is using indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) for the first time since the launch of the mega shuttle, GSLV-D3, in April this year.

"We are developing GSLV-M III vehicle to put heavier communications satellites, that is, satellites with mass of four tons into a geostationary transfer orbit," said Radhakrishnan.

The ISRO chief also informed that the indigenous complex cryogenic rocket technology was a remarkable scientific advancement and could revolutionize space vehicles in the future.

The GSLV-M III, which is currently under advanced stage of development, uses two solid strap-on boosters (S200), L110 liquid stage and a cryogenic upper stage C-25.



ISRO successfully tests propellants system of GSLV-M III

 

[redpearl75]

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

 

[rajgoynar]

ISRO felicitates Youth Olympics silver medallist Prannoy



Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 9 (PTI) Youth Olympics silver medallist shuttler H S Prannoy was today felicitated by ISRO for the glory he brought to the country through his sterling performance in Singapore. ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan presented cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a memento on behalf of the Sports Council of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to Prannoy. Radhakrishnan said he was all the more happy that the young achiever was part of Indian Space Research Organisation fraternity since his father is an employee of VSSC. Prannoy, who has to his credit many laurels like bronze medal at Junior World Championship in 2010 at Mexico, said he considered it as a rare privilege being honoured at VSSC. He said his ultimate aim is to bring glory to the country in the Summer Olympics. "Winning the Olympic medal is a dream of any athlete. But it is a realistic dream for me. I will work hard to achieve it," he said. VSSC Director P S Veeraraghavan, K M Nair, Controller of VSSC and C R Thomas, VSSC Sports Council President, spoke on the occasion.



ISRO felicitates Youth Olympics silver medallist Prannoy, IBN Live News

 

[rajgoynar]

ISRO felicitates Youth Olympics silver medallist Prannoy



Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 9 (PTI) Youth Olympics silver medallist shuttler H S Prannoy was today felicitated by ISRO for the glory he brought to the country through his sterling performance in Singapore. ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan presented cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a memento on behalf of the Sports Council of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to Prannoy. Radhakrishnan said he was all the more happy that the young achiever was part of Indian Space Research Organisation fraternity since his father is an employee of VSSC. Prannoy, who has to his credit many laurels like bronze medal at Junior World Championship in 2010 at Mexico, said he considered it as a rare privilege being honoured at VSSC. He said his ultimate aim is to bring glory to the country in the Summer Olympics. "Winning the Olympic medal is a dream of any athlete. But it is a realistic dream for me. I will work hard to achieve it," he said. VSSC Director P S Veeraraghavan, K M Nair, Controller of VSSC and C R Thomas, VSSC Sports Council President, spoke on the occasion.



ISRO felicitates Youth Olympics silver medallist Prannoy, IBN Live News

 

[rajgoynar]

Peenya centre of Isro to develop space cameras



Three years after former Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Chairman Madhavan Nair announced that India is seriously pursuing a space flight mission – Human Space Programme – Isro’s LEOS facility in Peenya is gearing up to develop some of the vital parts.


Laboratory for Electro-Optical System (LEOS) centre in Bangalore is in the final stages of getting the specifications for these products approved before it could formally begin development.

The Indian Human Space Flight Programme is a proposal by Isro to develop and launch the Orbital Vehicle to carry a two-member crew by 2015, which has got a green signal from the Government of India in February last year. The spaceship, once developed, would be launched by India’s GSLV-Mk II launcher, Nair had said.

LEOS Director V Koteswara Rao told Deccan Herald that his team would be developing the vision cameras and port glass panels for the orbit vehicle. He said his team has been doing research on the products and have made a final proposal which is subject to the approval from the head office and authorities concerned.

The port glass panels will be similar to panels used in present-day aircrafts, with some additional applications as the objective of the usage is different. Sources in the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) said it would be equipped with several sensors and nano instrument and could be applied to measure various parameters of temperature and identify spots.

The vision cameras, he said, will have multiple applications on the vehicle. While it would help in collecting images, which would be compiled and studied, it would also help the crew collect information of the vehicle itself, thereby helping in monitoring it.

“Given that it will be only a two-member crew, the cameras will aid them in monitoring the vehicle from all positions. For instance, if they are in one module, they will be able to view the status of other modules and positions within the vehicle with the help of these.”



Peenya centre of Isro to develop space cameras

 

[rajgoynar]

ISRO gearing up to launch eight spacecraft annually



Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch eight spacecraft annually to increase revenue and meet global technology demand, a top official of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) said today.

"Right now, we have four launches including GSLVs and PSLVs per year. The process is on to launch eight spacecraft a year to meet global demand," VSSC director PS Veeraraghavan told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Chennai.

On steps taken by ISRO to double the number of launches, he said, "We need to increase throughout in getting various subsystems from industries and then increase our own internal work."

On the commercial aspect, he said India currently earns about Rs1,000 crore through commercial satellite launches.

"Through Indian remote sensing satellite and through other satellite launches, we are getting revenue of Rs1,000 crore per year. This is growing at the rate of 20 to 30% every year," Veeraraghavan said.

Noting that India has become sixth in the world in space technology, he said ISRO proposed to launch a GSLV and PSLV rocket simultaneously this December within a one week span.

"Schedule launch is going to be in December. Currently, the rocket is getting assembled. PSLV will carry three satellites and GSLV will carry INSAT 5C," he said.

On Chandrayaan-2 mission, he said it would be launched by GLSV instead of PSLV. "We have already started the process and various payloads have been identified. In Chandrayaan-2 there would be a orbiter, lander and a rover," he said.

Veeraraghavan said ISRO is also developing GSLV Mk III to launch a four tonne satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

He also said that ISRO planned to set up its third launch pad for human space mission.

Veeraraghavan was here to receive 'PSOM-XL Motorcase', a device used in the launch of PSLV and Chandrayaan missions, from Chennai-based Ramakrishna Engineering Company.



ISRO gearing up to launch eight spacecraft annually - India - DNA

 

[rajgoynar]

ISRO to launch four satellites in December



Chennai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch four satellites within a span of one week in December, a top space scientist said Tuesday.

'We will be launching the satellites this December. Currently the two rockets are being assembled,' Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director P.S. Veeraghavan told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The two rockets that will fly towards the heavens are the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the heavier Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

According to Veeraghavan, the PSLV will carry three payloads -Resourcesat and two small satellites each weighing around 90 kg made in Singapore and Russia.

The GSLV will launch the INSAT series communication satellite.



ISRO to launch four satellites in December

 

[rajgoynar]

World keenly watching ISRO's achievements, says scientist

Foreign countries are keenly watching the development of launch vehicle technology in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which has made notable achievements in aerospace technology, S. Ananthanarayanan, Director, National Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), has said.

Inaugurating the seventh national seminar on ‘‘Aerospace and Related Mechanisms (ARMS 2010)'' hosted by the Thiruvananthapuram chapter of the Indian National Society for Aerospace and Related Mechanisms (INSARM) here on Friday, Mr. Ananthanarayanan said that precision and reliability should be the buzz words of research and development activities. These are the absolute necessities for aerospace operations. Setting up of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) was a welcome step in this score. The institute would help to hone the skills of young scientists to work with precision, he said.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Director P.S. Veeraraghavan, in his presidential address, said after the launch of sounding rockets in the sixties, great strides had been made during the past four decades. A lot more challenges were awaiting aerospace technology. Aerospace engineers were perfect designers and high reliability was the key to all developments, he said.

VSSC Associate Director (Projects) N. Narayanamoorthy in his address on ‘‘Advances in aerospace mechanisms and mechatronics'' said limited opportunity for maintenance, difficult environment for rectification and testing on ground were some of the challenges faced in the designing process. Ensuring control of projects and identifying potential hazards were some of the options to overcome the challenges. He stressed the need for developing highly reliable systems by combining mechanical, electronics computer science and all other allied fields of engineering. INSARM founder president M.K. Abdul Majeed traced the evolution of society. IIST director B.N. Suresh released the seminar proceedings. John P. Zachariah, Associate Director (Projects), VSSC, released the souvenir.

INSARM president George Koshy welcomed the gathering and organising secretary B. Sivasubramonian proposed a vote of thanks. The seminar will conclude on Saturday. The next seminar will be held in Hyderabad.