Indian Space Capabilities

[Hindustani78]

Department of Space
23-October, 2017 19:52 IST
India's Space mission to Moon 'Chandrayaan- II' in 2018: Dr Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that India’s Space Mission to Moon, “Chandrayaan-II”, will take place in 2018, most likely in the first quarter of the year.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 5-day Asian Conference on Remote Sensing here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said that India has today emerged as the world's frontline nation in the field of Space Technology. This, he said, is in itself a glorious vindication of the dream seen by the founding fathers of India’s Space Programme, like Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan.

Giving credit to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for giving fresh impetus to Space Research, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it was during the last three years that India could launch a South Asian Satellite which would be also providing inputs and benefits to the neighbouring countries. In addition, he said, the biggest achievement in the last over three years is that the Prime Minister personally intervened to arrange a brainstorming of Space Scientists with each of the different Ministries and Departments in Government of India to promote the application of Space Technology in infrastructure and development works. In this context, he referred to widespread application of Space Technology in carrying out the Urban Development programmes, including Smart City programmes, the use of Space Technology for geo-tagging of MGNREGA and the assistance from ISRO for the manning of Railway crossings.

Chairman ISRO, Shri Kiran Kumar, who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, spoke about the various achievements of India’s Space capability in the field of Disaster Management. Veteran Space Scientist and President of the Indian Association of Remote Sensing, Dr Shailesh Nayak also spoke on the occasion. At the event, awards were presented to outstanding Space scientists under different categories. The 5-day conference is being attended by over 500 eminent foreign delegates and some of the world’s most distinguished faculty in the field of Space Science.

******

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh flanked by the Chairman, ISRO, Dr. Kiran Kumar and eminent Scientist Dr. Shailesh Nayak, releasing a book highlighting Space achievements, at the inaugural session of the 5-day Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, in New Delhi on October 23, 2017.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh addressing the inaugural session of the 5-day Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, in New Delhi on October 23, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

This breathtaking colour photo of the surface of Mars unveiled by NASA is the sharpest photograph ever taken on the surface of Mars. The picture was taken by the panoramic camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit. | Photo Credit: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...m-co2-study/article19905100.ece?homepage=true

Mars has 96% carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, according to researchers

Mars has near ideal conditions for efficiently creating oxygen from atmospheric carbon dioxide in the future using plasma technology, a study has found.

According to researchers from University of Porto in Portugal and Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, Mars has 96 per cent carbon dioxide (CO2) in its atmosphere.

The research, published in the journal Plasma Sources Science and Technology, shows that the pressure and temperature ranges in the Martian atmosphere mean non-thermal plasma can be used to produce oxygen efficiently.

“Sending a manned mission to Mars is one of the next major steps in our exploration of space. Creating a breathable environment, however, is a substantial challenge,” said Vasco Guerra, from the University of Lisbon in Portugal.

“Plasma reforming of CO2 on Earth is a growing field of research, prompted by the problems of climate change and production of solar fuels,” said Guerra.

“Low temperature plasmas are one of the best media for CO2 decomposition — the split-up of the molecule into oxygen and carbon monoxide — both by direct electron impact, and by transferring electron energy into vibrational excitation,” he said.

Mars has excellent conditions for In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) by plasma.

As well as its CO2 atmosphere, the cold surrounding atmosphere may induce a stronger vibrational effect than that achievable on Earth.

The low atmospheric temperature also works to slow the reaction, giving additional time for the separation of molecules.

“The low temperature plasma decomposition method offers a twofold solution for a manned mission to Mars. Not only would it provide a stable, reliable supply of oxygen, but as source of fuel as well, as carbon monoxide has been proposed as to be used as a propellant mixture in rocket vehicles,” said Guerra.

“This ISRU approach could help significantly simplify the logistics of a mission to Mars. It would allow for increased self-sufficiency, reduce the risks to the crew, and reduce costs by requiring fewer vehicles to carry out the mission,” he said.

*************

 

[Hindustani78]

Press Trust of India, Hyderabad, Oct 25 2017, 15:31 IST

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had also established a lunar terrain test facility for conducting lander leg drop tests. PTI File Photo

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/639330/isro-begins-flight-integration-activity.html

The ISRO has started flight integration activity for its next lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 and scientists are currently carrying out tests for the lander and the rover that will explore the moon.

Officials said the spacecraft launch, on board GSLV-Mk II, is planned for March and many new technologies have been developed indigenously to achieve the mission requirements.

Chandrayaan-2, India's second mission to the Moon, is an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission nine years ago. This spacecraft is a composite model consisting of orbiter, lander and rover.

According to the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency, unlike Chandrayaan-1, wherein an impact probe crash-landed on the surface of the moon, Chandrayaan-2 will soft-land its lander with the rover on the lunar surface to conduct the next level of scientific studies.

"Things are going on. The orbiter is getting ready. Flight integration activity is going on, and a series of tests are planned for lander and rover. They are all in progress and we are working towards the first quarter (of 2018) launch of Chandrayaan-2," ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar told PTI.

Officials said rover flight systems test include "soil mixing exercise" and mobility test to evaluate the rover's wheel-soil interaction.

According to them, the lander configuration has been finalised to meet soft and safe landing at the identified site, as also payload configuration and interfaces with the lander.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had also established a lunar terrain test facility for conducting lander leg drop tests.

"It is a totally Indian mission; no other collaboration," Kiran Kumar said.

"It (Chandrayaan-2) differs from the previous one (Chandrayaan-1) in the sense that in the last one, we had moon impact probe that descended on the moon in an uncontrolled manner, whereas this (Chandrayaan-2) will carry a lander, which will descend on the surface of the moon in a controlled manner," he said.

After the lander lands on the moon, the rover will come out and it will do some in-situ observations and we will be able to get these observations through radio contact, Kiran Kumar said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...in-december/story-yQ3rqtbau0b3abpiOwFyfL.html

The mission will be the first PSLV mission after the unsuccessful launch of navigation satellite IRNSS-1H in August.

india Updated: Oct 30, 2017 21:19 IST
Press Trust of India, Bengaluru

On August 31, India’s mission to launch its backup navigation satellite IRNSS-1H onboard PSLV-C39 ended in a failure after a technical fault on the final leg following a perfect launch.(PTI File Photo)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Monday it will launch 30 satellites in a single mission on board its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in December.

The mission, whose main payload would be Cartosat-2 series earth observation satellite, will be the first PSLV mission after the unsuccessful launch of navigation satellite IRNSS-1H in August.

“We are planning our next launch in the second half of December, all things are in place... It will be a satellite of Cartosat-2 series along with other co-passengers,” ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar told reporters here.

PSLV-C40 will be used for the launch from the spaceport in Sriharikota, about 100 kilometres from Chennai.

The mission will be a combination of 25 nano satellites, three micro-satellites and one Cartosat satellite, along with “maybe” one university satellite, ISRO officials said.

They said most of the co-passengers of Cartosat-2 series satellite would commercial satellites from foreign countries, including Finland and the US.

On August 31, India’s mission to launch its backup navigation satellite IRNSS-1H onboard PSLV-C39 ended in a failure after a technical fault on the final leg following a perfect launch.

ISRO had then said the heat shield did not separate on the final leg of the launch sequence, and, as a result, the IRNSS-1H got stuck in the fourth stage of the rocket.

To a question about PSLV-C39 failure, Kumar said when a system, which had worked sixty times, fails because of a particular reason, it should not be a fundamental problem.

“We are trying to improve further on the robustness of this (rocket). It is not a fundamental issue,” he said.

Another big launch in ISRO’s calendar is the next lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, on board GSLV-Mk II, scheduled for March 2018.

On Chandrayaan-2, Kumar said right now the orbiter was getting integrated at Bengaluru and some more tests were going on with regard to the lander and rover, instruments and systems.

“By the first quarter of the next year we expect to put the orbiter, lander, rover - all the things together into the lunar orbit,” he added.

Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to the Moon, would be an advanced version of the Chandrayaan-1 launched nine years ago. This spacecraft is a composite model consisting of orbiter, lander and rover.

On the involvement of industry and academic institutions, Kumar said “what we are trying to see is while we build our capability; we also make sure that whatever excess capacity we have, we are in a position to market it and use.”

He said presently India was having 40-plus satellites in operation for earth observation, remote sensing, communication, navigation and space science.

However, the requirement was significantly higher. “So we are looking at a mechanism where we can increase the pace at which we are doing the work.

“You can visualise if we have to deliver more and bring in more capability in space, what we call as the space infrastructure, we need to increase the number of launches we do, more satellites we have to build and using them more applications,” he added.

Kumar also said ISRO was now looking at a mechanism where the Indian industry actually gets support from it for competing internationally by leveraging on what they have already acquired. There was a huge market available for the supply of sub-systems, he added.

The ISRO chairman was speaking to reporters at the curtain raiser press meet on the “International Seminar on Indian Space Programme - Trends and Opportunities for Industry” scheduled to be held between November 20 and 21 in New Delhi.

The two-day event will have sessions on space industry, public-private partnership for space programmes, capacity building and talent management, role of industry in Indian space programme along with B2B and B2G meeting, officials said. PTI KSU RA VS ABH

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...lobal-space-industry-meet/article19952308.ece

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) are hosting an international seminar on space industry in November to help Indian companies tap the space market in the country and globally.

The seminar, slated for November 20 and 21 in New Delhi, will expose aspiring industries to potential international partners and network with space agencies, policy makers and academia, the organisers said on Monday.

Increasing rate

A.S. Kiran Kumar, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, said at a news conference that the space agency is increasing its own rate of missions — to almost double at 18 missions a year.

There was a growing opportunity as more than 1,000 satellites were planned worldwide in the coming years. ISRO was also allowing private and public Indian industry to assemble its spacecraft and build the first launch vehicle in 2020.

“In the recent past, we have been looking at a mechanism to increase the number of our spacecraft and launches [through] industry and academia. While industry provides our needs, we also want to ensure that it also takes a part of the global market,” he said.

Vivek Pandit, Assistant Secretary General of the FICCI, said industry has started tapping opportunities at ISRO centres.

 

[Hindustani78]

Department of Space
07-November, 2017 11:50 IST
CZT Imager of AstroSat measures first phase resolved X-ray polarisation of Crab pulsar

AstroSat, India’s multi-wavelength space telescope, has successfully accomplished the extremely difficult task of measuring X-ray polarisation. In a paper published in ‘Nature Astronomy’, the team has documented the results of their eighteen-month study of the Crab pulsar in the Taurus Constellation and measured the variations of polarisation as this highly magnetised object spins around 30 times every second. This landmark measurement puts up a strong challenge to prevailing theories of high energy X-ray emission from pulsars.

*****

The CZT Imager (CZTI) instrument derives its name from the detectors that make up its heart, made of a
semiconductor called “Cadmium Zinc Telluride”. It consists of 16384 tiny pixels, essentially independent detectors, to measure X-rays coming from the celestial objects. When high energy X-rays shine on these detectors, an extremely small electric signal is generated, which is further processed to measure the energy of the photon. The incident X-ray photon sometimes leaves a signal in two neighbouring pixels,due to an effect called “Compton scattering”.

 

[lonelyman]

Department of Space
23-October, 2017 19:52 IST
India's Space mission to Moon 'Chandrayaan- II' in 2018: Dr Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that India’s Space Mission to Moon, “Chandrayaan-II”, will take place in 2018, most likely in the first quarter of the year.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 5-day Asian Conference on Remote Sensing here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said that India has today emerged as the world's frontline nation in the field of Space Technology. This, he said, is in itself a glorious vindication of the dream seen by the founding fathers of India’s Space Programme, like Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan.

Giving credit to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for giving fresh impetus to Space Research, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it was during the last three years that India could launch a South Asian Satellite which would be also providing inputs and benefits to the neighbouring countries. In addition, he said, the biggest achievement in the last over three years is that the Prime Minister personally intervened to arrange a brainstorming of Space Scientists with each of the different Ministries and Departments in Government of India to promote the application of Space Technology in infrastructure and development works. In this context, he referred to widespread application of Space Technology in carrying out the Urban Development programmes, including Smart City programmes, the use of Space Technology for geo-tagging of MGNREGA and the assistance from ISRO for the manning of Railway crossings.

Chairman ISRO, Shri Kiran Kumar, who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, spoke about the various achievements of India’s Space capability in the field of Disaster Management. Veteran Space Scientist and President of the Indian Association of Remote Sensing, Dr Shailesh Nayak also spoke on the occasion. At the event, awards were presented to outstanding Space scientists under different categories. The 5-day conference is being attended by over 500 eminent foreign delegates and some of the world’s most distinguished faculty in the field of Space Science.

******

2018? I doubt it, more like 2118

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/643290/isro-announces-indo-japan-joint.html

DH News Service, Bengaluru Nov 17 2017, 19:41 IST

Isro chairman AS Kiran Kumar. File photo.

Isro chairman AS Kiran Kumar on Friday announced a Indo-Japanese joint lunar mission.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 24th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), he said that India and Japan have decided to take up a joint lunar mission.

"We've just now decided to work together in this regard. We will discuss modalities and clarity would emerge in about six months," he said.

Kiran Kumar clarified that there would not be any participation from other countries in the mission.

"We want to study traces of water which Isro established on the soil of the moon. We want to take some samples, bring them to earth for further studies," he said.

On competing with China, he said there was no competition from any country and the fruits of space technology should be utilised for the welfare of the world.

Dr Naoki Okumura, Kiran's Japanese counterpart said Japan would work closely with India to study the impact of climate change and his country would soon ink with Isro for the joint mission.

Kiran Kumar said the APRSAF meeting discussed making space knowledge and information available to various entities.

Developing small satellites, promotion of educational activities and promotion of space application were also discussed in the conference. India is hosting the conference after 10 years.

 

[Hindustani78]

Thiruvananthapuram , November 17, 2017 21:39 IST
Updated: November 18, 2017 08:19 IST

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...slv-by-2020/article20535383.ece?homepage=true

ISRO to outsource launch vehicle production

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to hand over the entire gamut of launch vehicle manufacture to domestic industry by 2020.

“Until now, public and private industries have only supplied devices, components and sub-systems for ISRO’s launch vehicles, including the PSLV and the GSLV. Our effort is to give a push to industry for production of end-to-end systems. By 2020, we hope to have the first completely industry-built PSLV,” Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Director K. Sivan said here on Friday.

Inaugurating the National Aerospace Manufacturing Seminar (NAMS 2017) organised by the Society of Aerospace Manufacturing Engineers, he said efforts were on to set up a consortium of companies for the purpose. “Ultimately, we hope to see industry make the transition from vendors supplying parts, to partners providing integrated systems”.

The theme of the seminar was ‘Aerospace Manufacturing in India-Vision 2030.’

ISRO already has a partnership with private industry to produce satellites. The IRNSS-1H communication satellite aboard the ill-fated PSLV C-39 was the first to be produced by a consortium of six companies.

Dr. Sivan said ISRO had a partnership with about 500 domestic industries for the supply of various components and devices. “About 80% of the cost of launch vehicles and 40% of satellites are handled by these industries”.

He stressed on the need for industry to reduce the manufacturing and material cost without compromising on quality to bring down the launch cost. ISRO, he said, had tightened tolerance to error following the failure of the PSLV- C39 mission.

Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) Director S. Somanath said the industry partnership for satellite production had paved the way for the transition to industry-made launch vehicles. He said automation and the increased use of composites and additives were turning the conventional manufacturing process on its head. “Reusable launch vehicles promise to bring down launch cost but pose a problem for industry due to lower demand. The solution is to create a market for more missions.”

 

[bloo]

India, Japan look at joint moon mission, will bring samples to earth
This is the second time that Japan and India are teaming up for a moon mission
Raghu Krishnan | Bengaluru Last Updated at November 18, 2017 00:45 IST

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe sign an agreement documents during the India-Japan Annual Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

India and Japan will collaborate to send a joint mission to the moon, which includes landing a rover and bringing samples back to the earth, a feat that was last achieved over four decades ago.

Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Chairman A S Kiran Kumar and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President Naoki Okumara said on Friday that an implementation agreement for the collaborative mission will be finalised within the next two months.



"We can do as soon as possible," said Okumara on timelines, but did not elaborate much. Both the countries have increased cooperation due to efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe. The space agencies plan follows the November 2016 agreement signed during PM Modi's visit to Japan, where they agreed on collaborating for deep space explorations.

This is the second time that Japan and India are teaming up for a moon mission. Team Indus, which is aiming by March next will be the first private firm to land a rover on the moon and will carry a Japanese rover by team Hakuto on its spacecraft. This, however, is a private mission.

In the last decade or so, there is a global race to return to the moon and explore the earth's satellite as an energy resource or a potential human settlement. With increased sophistication of instruments, space agencies across the world are looking to send unmanned probes and machinery than send a human that would become prohibitively expensive.

The last man to land on moon was in December 1972, the last of the six manned missions that the United States sent during the space race with Russia. The then Soviet Republic sent a mission in 1970 to bring back samples from the moon.

India's first successful attempt to moon Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 also brought worldwide attention on the country's space proficiency. It also helped discover traces of water on the lunar surface, which subsequent missions will study.

A joint mission to send a rover to the moon with Russia was aborted with Isro planning to go on its own with its Chandrayaan-2. The mission, which will look to create an elevated map of the moon is expected to be launched by March, said Kumar of Isro.

Japan has also had success in the moon. In October, the Lunar Radar Sounder on its Selenological and Engineering Explorer orbiter (SELENE) has found a long and deep tunnel under the moon's surface. It found a 50-km long intact lava tube underground along a lava flow river 'rille' on the "Marius Hills of the Moon”.

Okumara expressed confidence that the two countries could effectively collaborate in utilising the space for societal benefit of the region. His country was also looking forward for collaboration in the fields of remote sensing and climate change.

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...ll-bring-samples-to-earth-117111701151_1.html

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
11-December, 2017 17:43 IST
International Workshop on Physics of Semiconductor Devices: IWPSD 2017

Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), a premier semiconductor research laboratory of DRDO is organising the 19th International Workshop on Physics of Semiconductor Devices (IWPSD 2017) jointly with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi in association with Society for Semiconductor Devices, Semiconductor Society (India) and Society for Information Display. Chairman ISRO and Secretary Department of Space Dr. AS Kiran Kumar will formally inaugurate the event on 12 December 2017 at IIT Delhi in presence of Chairman DRDO & Secretary Department of Defence R&D Dr. S Christopher.

The biennial event IWPSD is considered as a prominent international forum on Advanced Semiconductor Technologies. The event held in India provides an opportunity for Indian researchers to interact with internationally acclaimed experts. Scientists and academicians from international and national educational institutes, government laboratories and leading industries interact to discuss state-of-the-art in advanced semiconductor R&D. The workshop has always received wide international participation and serves as the principal forum for dissemination of semiconductor research in South Asian region.

Semiconductor devices are used in the technological aids related to defence and space applications in addition to day-to-day consumer electronics.

The four day workshop has a strong technical program covering most of the emerging semiconductor R&D fields with five parallel sessions which will cover topics of current interest including VLSI technologies, Sensors, GaN (Gallium Nitrite) Materials and Devices, Opto-electronics, Crystal Growth & Epitaxy, Photovoltaics, Display Technologies, 2D materials & Organic Semiconductors and Semiconductors for Quantum Computing etc. Special emphasis will be given on the role of semiconductor technologies in space, defence and civilian applications.

Many renowned scientists and technologists from USA, Europe, Asia Pacific and other countries are participating in this event. Over 130 internationally acclaimed plenary/invited speakers will deliver talks on research in their field of expertise. In addition about 500 researchers from national Institutes like TIFR, NPL, IISc, IITs, NITs, CEERI etc. and other prominent Central and State universities would be participating in the workshop and over 500 research papers will be presented.

A number of prominent Industries in the area of semiconductor R&D are showcasing their products on the occasion. A special industry session is also being organized to promote Make in India theme. The workshop would also provide a platform for exploring possibility of establishing semiconductor manufacturing in India by Indian and foreign ventures.

***
Ministry of Defence
12-December, 2017 18:33 IST
XIXth International Workshop on Physics of Semiconductor Devices: IWPSD 2017

The four-day 19th International Workshop on Physics of Semiconductor Devices (IWPSD-2017) began here today Chairman ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space Shri AS Kiran Kumar formally inaugurated the event. The main objective of the workshop is to provide an international forum to deliberate and share the emerging semiconductor R&D fields in electronics; VLSI technologies, Sensors, GaN (Galium Nitride) Materials and Devices, Crystal Growth & Epitaxy, Photovoltaics, Organic Semiconductors and Semiconductors for Quantum Computing among other. Special emphasis was given on the role of semiconductor technologies in defence, space and other civilian applications. A number of prominent Industries in the area of semiconductor R&D showcased their products along with a special industry session, mainly organized to promote ‘Make in India’ theme for exploring possibility of establishing semiconductor & electronics chips manufacturing in India.

Shri AS Kiran Kumar in his inaugural address emphasized the need for creating and adopting indigenous technologies. He highlighted that many of the devices used in space missions are being fabricated at GAETEC (A DRDO unit), but the scope is tremendous.

Chairman DRDO & Secretary Department of Defence R&D Dr S Christopher presided over the function. While extending all possible help to establish the semiconductor foundry/chip manufacturing in India, he expressed the hope that the electronics chip manufacturing industries would explore the incentives under ‘Make in India’ and tap the huge Indian Electronics market particularly the solar power and LED lighting.

Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri Dr G Satheesh Reddy stressed the need for development of navigation grade sensors, MEMs pressure sensors & accelerometers, T/R modules based on GaN technology, large format & low pitch IR detectors.

Director IIT, Delhi Prof. V Ramgopal Rao mentioned that IWPSD is the oldest international conference held in India in the area of semiconductor technology.

Renowned scientists and technologists from USA, Europe, Asia Pacific and other countries and over 130 internationally acclaimed plenary speakers were invited on the occasion.

MJPS/NM/RP
(Release ID :174279)


The Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar lighting the lamp to inaugurate the XIX International Workshop on the Physics of Semiconductor Devices 2017, at IIT Delhi, in New Delhi on December 12, 2017. The Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy is also seen.

The Chairman DRDO & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr. S. Christopher addressing the gathering at the XIX International Workshop on the Physics of Semiconductor Devices 2017, at IIT Delhi, in New Delhi on December 12, 2017.

The Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy addressing the gathering at the XIX International Workshop on the Physics of Semiconductor Devices 2017, at IIT Delhi, in New Delhi on December 12, 2017.

The Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar presenting a memento to the Director, IIT, Delhi, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao at the XIX International Workshop on the Physics of Semiconductor Devices 2017, at IIT Delhi, in New Delhi on December 12, 2017. The Chairman DRDO & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr. S. Christopher is also seen.

 

[jamahir]

This breathtaking colour photo of the surface of Mars unveiled by NASA is the sharpest photograph ever taken on the surface of Mars. The picture was taken by the panoramic camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit. | Photo Credit: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...m-co2-study/article19905100.ece?homepage=true

Mars has 96% carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, according to researchers

Mars has near ideal conditions for efficiently creating oxygen from atmospheric carbon dioxide in the future using plasma technology, a study has found.

According to researchers from University of Porto in Portugal and Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, Mars has 96 per cent carbon dioxide (CO2) in its atmosphere.

The research, published in the journal Plasma Sources Science and Technology, shows that the pressure and temperature ranges in the Martian atmosphere mean non-thermal plasma can be used to produce oxygen efficiently.

“Sending a manned mission to Mars is one of the next major steps in our exploration of space. Creating a breathable environment, however, is a substantial challenge,” said Vasco Guerra, from the University of Lisbon in Portugal.

“Plasma reforming of CO2 on Earth is a growing field of research, prompted by the problems of climate change and production of solar fuels,” said Guerra.

“Low temperature plasmas are one of the best media for CO2 decomposition — the split-up of the molecule into oxygen and carbon monoxide — both by direct electron impact, and by transferring electron energy into vibrational excitation,” he said.

Mars has excellent conditions for In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) by plasma.

As well as its CO2 atmosphere, the cold surrounding atmosphere may induce a stronger vibrational effect than that achievable on Earth.

The low atmospheric temperature also works to slow the reaction, giving additional time for the separation of molecules.

“The low temperature plasma decomposition method offers a twofold solution for a manned mission to Mars. Not only would it provide a stable, reliable supply of oxygen, but as source of fuel as well, as carbon monoxide has been proposed as to be used as a propellant mixture in rocket vehicles,” said Guerra.

“This ISRU approach could help significantly simplify the logistics of a mission to Mars. It would allow for increased self-sufficiency, reduce the risks to the crew, and reduce costs by requiring fewer vehicles to carry out the mission,” he said.

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@Levina @django @Hamartia Antidote - a nice photo and article.

 

[Hindustani78]

Department of Space
20-December, 2017 14:04 IST
Building of PSLV

ISRO has been pursuing a conscious approach of building up and nurturing the industrial capabilities in the country to maximally support the Indian Space Programme. In order to step up the launch capacity within the country, ISRO is in the process of involving Indian industry in a greater role to meet the increased national requirements and enable commercial launch services in order to enhance the capacity and capability of managing the PSLV programme on an end-to-end basis. This is proposed to be carried out through the formulation of a plan to empower Indian Industry including the quality assurance and safety procedures.

ISRO has been utilising the Indian industry in both the public and private sector for the development of space technology since 1976. In order to ensure the smooth supply chain of hardware, components and sub-systems to the Indian Space Programme, ISRO has been continuously engaged in technology development and hand-holding several industries within the country. This has enabled ISRO to realise the majority of the manufacturing requirements of the ISRO’s launch vehicles and satellites through industry. The industry participation has shown continuing growth both in addressing technological complexity and quantum of work.

The relevant process documents and safety documents for carrying out the various activities are in place and are being followed meticulously, which will be utilised along with training, in the event of the industry undertaking these activities.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

****

Department of Space
20-December, 2017 14:02 IST
ISRO and NASA Collaboration

ISRO and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)/ NASA are jointly working on the development of Dual Frequency (L&S band) Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging Satellite named as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR). The L-band SAR is being developed by JPL/NASA, while ISRO is developing S-band SAR. The L & S band microwave data obtained from this satellite will be useful for variety of application, which include natural resources mapping & monitoring; estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle; assessing soil moisture; monitoring of floods and oil slicks; coastal erosion, coastline changes & variation of winds in coastal waters; assessment of mangroves; surface deformation studies, ice sheet collapses & dynamics etc.

The data obtained from NISAR mission is not meant for building climate resilience. However, the data acquired from this mission will be useful in developing certain applications, which include - (i) identifying crevasses in the glaciers hidden by fresh snow, where human movement takes place, (ii) identifying the snowpack parameters as an input in Avalanche forecasts, (iii) studying Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) hazards, and (iv) identifying inundated area due to floods/ cyclones. These applications could help in taking measures to minimise loss of human lives.

As per the information received, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has been working in tandem with National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, USA) for development of high resolution seasonal and long-term climate forecasts through Monsoon Mission and Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR) Programmes. During 2010 to 2015, IITM and NOAA together developed high resolution models for seasonal predictions of Indian Summer Monsoon and long term climate forecasts under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU, concerning the study of “Dynamical Short range, Extended Range and seasonal Prediction of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall”, has been extended till 2020, within the framework of the MoES-NOAA Partnership.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Department of Space
20-December, 2017 14:01 IST
Indigenous GPS

India has deployed its own regional navigational system, namely NavIC comprising of a constellation of seven navigational satellites and associated ground segment for providing position, navigation and timing services to Indian region.

The IRNSS (NavIC) enables providing position, navigation and timing information that could be utilised for a large range of civil and strategic applications and services that include terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation; precise timing; disaster management and alert messages; mapping and Geodetic data capture; vehicle tracking and fleet management; visual & voice navigation for drivers, etc.

Seven satellites of NavIC constellation are currently in orbit, the realization of IRNSS-1I, by DOS/ISRO is under progress using a contract to a consortium of private companies for carrying out assembly, integration and testing of this satellite. The satellite is planned for launch during first quarter of 2018.

NavIC provides signals in a space covering India and its surroundings, this could be utilised by using receivers on ground to determine position and time accurately. Signal in space is provided globally by GPS of USA, GLONASS of Russia, Galileo of Europe and Beiden of China. Current global trend is to make use of ground receivers which utilise as many signals as available for providing timing and position solutions.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Department of Space
20-December, 2017 14:00 IST
Solar Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch the first solar mission, Aditya-L1.

Aditya-L1 mission is aimed at studying the Sun from an orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point 1 (L1) which is about 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth. It would carry seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun, the corona in different wavebands.

Aditya-L1 is a fully indigenous effort with the participation of national institutions. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru is the lead institute for the development of Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) and Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune is developing the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUIT) payload for Aditya-L1 mission.

Aditya-L1 can provide observations on the corona and in addition can provide observations on the solar Chromosphere using the UV payload and on the flares using the X-ray payloads. The particle detectors and the magnetometer payload can provide information on charged particles and the magnetic field reaching the halo orbit around L1.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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