Indian Space Capabilities
- Thread starter joey
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The link towards China or superpower is wrong. Putting a man in the space is far more difficult then crashing a probe on the moon... That is not my opinion but the reality.
India lands on the moon. Wow.
17 November 2008, 13:05 GMT + 2
THE rise of the world’s new superpower was underscored by Saturday’s moon landing by a probe painted in the saffron, white and green of the Indian flag.
The probe’s landing represents the first major space achievement by a developing country.
India’s top newspapers heralded the event with banner headlines, the best of which came from the Asian Age which put it simply: “India is big cheese.”
“This momentous achievement shall be etched in the history of India as a grateful tribute to our scientific community,” said Sonia Gandhi.
Here is the Times of India editorial on the accomplishment:
As planned, at exactly 8.06 p.m. IST on Friday the indigenously built Moon Impact Probe (MIP) detached itself from the spacecraft Chandrayaan-1
as it flew over the Malarpet mountain on the Moon. Twenty-five minutes later and revolving like a top to stabilise its descent, the instrument console about the size of a large television set with the tricolour painted on it hard-landed in a place called the Shackleton crater in the south polar region. With this India becomes only the fifth country in the world after the US, Russia, EU and Japan to have successfully sent an artefact to the Moon’s surface.
Yes, to an extent, the whole mission is also symbolic. For instance, it’s a great shot in the arm for national pride to know that even China hasn’t done something like this as yet. More importantly, though, it’s a symbol of India’s growing presence in space both in near-Earth remote sensing and communication satellite orbits to nearly 4,00,000 kilometres away in deep space using workhorse launchers like the PSLV which now have an enviable record of flawless lift-offs, including the latest one.
But Chandrayaan-1 and its impact probe aren’t merely technical demos. The MIP is actually the forerunner of a lunar rover vehicle to be soft-landed by Chandrayaan-2 sometime in 2012 or 2013 and, as such, had to test critical technologies and functions necessary for such an operation. It also had to demonstrate the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) capability of sending a probe at a pre-planned time and precise location on the Moon for scientific exploration and sampling at ground level. Chandrayaan-1 will meanwhile be preparing a high resolution three-dimensional atlas of both near and far side of the Moon and conducting chemical and mineralogical mapping of the entire lunar surface, including looking for water.
The fact that India can achieve all this at a fraction of the cost that space agencies of other countries incur means that in the future it would make sense for them to outsource at least a part of their own exploratory ventures to India as indeed they’ve already started doing for some time now with satellites that ride piggyback on PSLVs. As soon as the economics of this business start working out, ISRO can be minting money. How many other government R&D organisations who have been floundering on their own antediluvian development schemes for decades can boast of such success?
India lands on the moon. Wow.
17 November 2008, 13:05 GMT + 2
THE rise of the world’s new superpower was underscored by Saturday’s moon landing by a probe painted in the saffron, white and green of the Indian flag.
The probe’s landing represents the first major space achievement by a developing country.
India’s top newspapers heralded the event with banner headlines, the best of which came from the Asian Age which put it simply: “India is big cheese.”
“This momentous achievement shall be etched in the history of India as a grateful tribute to our scientific community,” said Sonia Gandhi.
Here is the Times of India editorial on the accomplishment:
As planned, at exactly 8.06 p.m. IST on Friday the indigenously built Moon Impact Probe (MIP) detached itself from the spacecraft Chandrayaan-1
as it flew over the Malarpet mountain on the Moon. Twenty-five minutes later and revolving like a top to stabilise its descent, the instrument console about the size of a large television set with the tricolour painted on it hard-landed in a place called the Shackleton crater in the south polar region. With this India becomes only the fifth country in the world after the US, Russia, EU and Japan to have successfully sent an artefact to the Moon’s surface.
Yes, to an extent, the whole mission is also symbolic. For instance, it’s a great shot in the arm for national pride to know that even China hasn’t done something like this as yet. More importantly, though, it’s a symbol of India’s growing presence in space both in near-Earth remote sensing and communication satellite orbits to nearly 4,00,000 kilometres away in deep space using workhorse launchers like the PSLV which now have an enviable record of flawless lift-offs, including the latest one.
But Chandrayaan-1 and its impact probe aren’t merely technical demos. The MIP is actually the forerunner of a lunar rover vehicle to be soft-landed by Chandrayaan-2 sometime in 2012 or 2013 and, as such, had to test critical technologies and functions necessary for such an operation. It also had to demonstrate the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) capability of sending a probe at a pre-planned time and precise location on the Moon for scientific exploration and sampling at ground level. Chandrayaan-1 will meanwhile be preparing a high resolution three-dimensional atlas of both near and far side of the Moon and conducting chemical and mineralogical mapping of the entire lunar surface, including looking for water.
The fact that India can achieve all this at a fraction of the cost that space agencies of other countries incur means that in the future it would make sense for them to outsource at least a part of their own exploratory ventures to India as indeed they’ve already started doing for some time now with satellites that ride piggyback on PSLVs. As soon as the economics of this business start working out, ISRO can be minting money. How many other government R&D organisations who have been floundering on their own antediluvian development schemes for decades can boast of such success?
Well, So they crashed on the moon with Russian technology... 
GSLV
In the 1980's India began designing the GSLV, a Delta-II class medium launch vehicle, with an objective of placing 2.5 metric ton payloads into GTO. The development and launch of the GSLV rocket is a priority item in the 20-year Indian national space programme aimed at creating a dense satellite network to meet the country's requirements for telecommunications, Earth sounding, environmental monitoring and other systems, as well as India's entrance to the international market of space. The task set for Indian designers for the near future is to ensure launching at least one satellite a year.
Drawing heavily on the PSLV, early concepts for the GSLV borrowed the six strap-on boosters and first two stages of the PSLV's core vehicle. A later design suggested replacing the solid strap-on boosters with four liquid units similar to the second stage of the core vehicle. The third stage was to incorporate an indigenous liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engine with a thrust of approximately 12 metric tons. Component development for this engine was already underway in the late 1980's, and subscale development was still on-going in 1992 (References 70, 81, and 82).
However, in an attempt to maintain the GSLV development schedule which called for a first flight as early as 1997, India in 1992 contracted with Russia to buy a liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engine (KVD-1/KVD-7.5) developed in the 1970's for the heavy-lift N-1 launch vehicle. The plan, which had been in negotiations since 1988 came under fire from the US which considered the transfer of such technology a violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime. Eventually, a compromise was reached which allowed the Russian Federation to supply a limited number of engines to India (seven) without the transfer of critical technologies. The first engine was delivered in 1996 for the planned inaugural GSLV mission in late 1997 or early 1998. Test firings of lower stage GSLV motors were underway in 1994 (References 83-96).
The GSLV is a three stage vehicle. The first stage is a 129 tonne solid propellant core motor with four liquid propellant strap-ons with 40 tonne propellant each. The second stage is a liquid propulsion system with 37.5 tonnes of propellant. The cryogenic upper stage has 12 tonnes of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
The first flight of the GSLV in mid-2000 will carry the experimental GSAT-1, that is aimed at demonstrating advanced communication technologies. Even though the initial flight of the GSLV would be using a Russian cryogenic engine, the second or the third flight in 2001 or in 2002 would use the Indian-built CUSP (Cryogenic Upper Stage Project) engine.
The delivery to India of Russian cryogenic acceleration blocks (CAB) (the so-called cryogenic engines) and preparations for launching a GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) equipped with a CAB is a major joint project between India and Russia. It is expected in India that with the help of CABs they would be able to launch into a geosynchronous orbit effective loads of up to 2.5 tons and thereby join the narrow group of states (Russia, the US, France and China) with a similar potential in this field.
Under the initial contract signed in January 1991 the Soviet Union was not only to supply CAB to India as ready-made units, but also the know-how for their production in India. The second Russian-Indian contract concerning the GSLV project, signed in April 1992, provides for the delivery of equipment, assembly and testing of CAB ground support systems by Russia.
However, at the end of 1993, as Russia joined the Missile Technology Control Regime, the terms of the contract were revised and now it provides for the delivery to India of 7 operating CAB specimens without transferring the know-how for their production.
The contracts signed by the Russian State Committee for Space Exploration and the Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO] were to be performed on the Russian side by the Salyut Design Bureau of the Khrunichev Research and Production Centre. Salyut opened its representative office in Madras, 100 km from the SHAR space launch grounds (Sriharikota Peninsula, Andhra-Pradesh), because the assembly, autonomous systems tests and comprehensive tests of CAB demanded permanent presence of Russian specialists, from 6 to 50 persons at a time.
For this project, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and other compressed gases supply systems, an automated control system for the preparation and fuelling of CABs were developed and made in Russia. More than 80 railway freight cars of equipment were delivered to the SHAR Centre space-launch grounds by sea. In 1996 a CAB model was delivered; its transportation of which by air (AN-124) cost to India US$200,000. In 1998 the fuelling CAB model and the first of the seven flying blocks were delivered. Compressed gases supply and hydrogen purification systems were adjusted and subjected to autonomous testing, as well as fuelling and other automated control systems were adjusted both at the launching grounds and at the Centre for Liquid-Propelled Engine Systems (Mahendraghiri, Tamilnadu). For this purpose almost 160 Russian specialists were sent to India during 1998 for a term of up to 2 months and some 50 specialists for shorter terms.
At the SHAR launching grounds, autonomous systems tests were completed and the automated control system was adjusted. Comprehensive tests in mid-1999 were the final stage of preparatory work.
The repeatedly postponed launching of the GSLV with a cryogenic accelerating block was scheduled for September 1999. The launch was delayed through the fault of both parties: the Indians were unable to fulfil their part of work in time, while the Russian side had to face financial and economic difficulties.
Ground equipment delivered to the SHAR space center will be maintained for 20 years under the designer's supervision to be exercised by Salyut which is to provide additional supplies of units and systems under new contracts.
For the purpose of expanding satellite launch potentiality the Indian leadership resolved to build another launching complex on Sriharikota Peninsula which would cost several billion dollars. Leading Indian companies are competing to obtain a contract under this state order. The degree of possible participation of Russian enterprises in this project has not yet been defined and will depend on the success of the CAB contracts.
India would not be able to develop their own cryogenic engine before 2005. In the opinion of Indian scientists, necessary conditions for the successful implementation of the project are available. According to the director of the Centre for Liquid-Propelled Engine Systems (Indian CAB development head organisation), they have completed design of a 7.5 ton engine and signed a contract for its manufacture with Indian companies, Godrej and Machine Tools and Reconditioning (MTAR).
In addition, the work is in progress on the creation of an infrastructure for servicing cryogenic engine-propelled rocket launches. For instance, since August 1996, ISRO has been producing cryogenic rocket fuel at a plant built with the assistance of Germany in Mahendraghiri (Tamilnadu), with a capacity of up to 8,000 litres of liquid oxygen, 5,500 litres of hydrogen and 2,500 litres of nitrogen; construction of testing grounds has been started there also. Furthermore, India has already built basic facilities for testing the turbine pump and engine control system. In the opinion of ISRO specialists, their CAB will be similar to Russian engines in terms of technical characteristics, but will be lighter and more powerful.
At the same time, CAB manufacturers faced certain difficulties. In particular, the low quality and insufficient supplies of the necessary aluminum and scandium alloys and of other special alloys will bring the engine's load capacity down to 1,000 kg instead of the planned 2,500 kg. In the absence of know-how for the so-called "wafer structure" and special equipment for large-diameter casing welding, the Indian side has to purchase containers for CABs from the French company Arianespace.
GSLV
In the 1980's India began designing the GSLV, a Delta-II class medium launch vehicle, with an objective of placing 2.5 metric ton payloads into GTO. The development and launch of the GSLV rocket is a priority item in the 20-year Indian national space programme aimed at creating a dense satellite network to meet the country's requirements for telecommunications, Earth sounding, environmental monitoring and other systems, as well as India's entrance to the international market of space. The task set for Indian designers for the near future is to ensure launching at least one satellite a year.
Drawing heavily on the PSLV, early concepts for the GSLV borrowed the six strap-on boosters and first two stages of the PSLV's core vehicle. A later design suggested replacing the solid strap-on boosters with four liquid units similar to the second stage of the core vehicle. The third stage was to incorporate an indigenous liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engine with a thrust of approximately 12 metric tons. Component development for this engine was already underway in the late 1980's, and subscale development was still on-going in 1992 (References 70, 81, and 82).
However, in an attempt to maintain the GSLV development schedule which called for a first flight as early as 1997, India in 1992 contracted with Russia to buy a liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engine (KVD-1/KVD-7.5) developed in the 1970's for the heavy-lift N-1 launch vehicle. The plan, which had been in negotiations since 1988 came under fire from the US which considered the transfer of such technology a violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime. Eventually, a compromise was reached which allowed the Russian Federation to supply a limited number of engines to India (seven) without the transfer of critical technologies. The first engine was delivered in 1996 for the planned inaugural GSLV mission in late 1997 or early 1998. Test firings of lower stage GSLV motors were underway in 1994 (References 83-96).
The GSLV is a three stage vehicle. The first stage is a 129 tonne solid propellant core motor with four liquid propellant strap-ons with 40 tonne propellant each. The second stage is a liquid propulsion system with 37.5 tonnes of propellant. The cryogenic upper stage has 12 tonnes of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
The first flight of the GSLV in mid-2000 will carry the experimental GSAT-1, that is aimed at demonstrating advanced communication technologies. Even though the initial flight of the GSLV would be using a Russian cryogenic engine, the second or the third flight in 2001 or in 2002 would use the Indian-built CUSP (Cryogenic Upper Stage Project) engine.
The delivery to India of Russian cryogenic acceleration blocks (CAB) (the so-called cryogenic engines) and preparations for launching a GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) equipped with a CAB is a major joint project between India and Russia. It is expected in India that with the help of CABs they would be able to launch into a geosynchronous orbit effective loads of up to 2.5 tons and thereby join the narrow group of states (Russia, the US, France and China) with a similar potential in this field.
Under the initial contract signed in January 1991 the Soviet Union was not only to supply CAB to India as ready-made units, but also the know-how for their production in India. The second Russian-Indian contract concerning the GSLV project, signed in April 1992, provides for the delivery of equipment, assembly and testing of CAB ground support systems by Russia.
However, at the end of 1993, as Russia joined the Missile Technology Control Regime, the terms of the contract were revised and now it provides for the delivery to India of 7 operating CAB specimens without transferring the know-how for their production.
The contracts signed by the Russian State Committee for Space Exploration and the Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO] were to be performed on the Russian side by the Salyut Design Bureau of the Khrunichev Research and Production Centre. Salyut opened its representative office in Madras, 100 km from the SHAR space launch grounds (Sriharikota Peninsula, Andhra-Pradesh), because the assembly, autonomous systems tests and comprehensive tests of CAB demanded permanent presence of Russian specialists, from 6 to 50 persons at a time.
For this project, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and other compressed gases supply systems, an automated control system for the preparation and fuelling of CABs were developed and made in Russia. More than 80 railway freight cars of equipment were delivered to the SHAR Centre space-launch grounds by sea. In 1996 a CAB model was delivered; its transportation of which by air (AN-124) cost to India US$200,000. In 1998 the fuelling CAB model and the first of the seven flying blocks were delivered. Compressed gases supply and hydrogen purification systems were adjusted and subjected to autonomous testing, as well as fuelling and other automated control systems were adjusted both at the launching grounds and at the Centre for Liquid-Propelled Engine Systems (Mahendraghiri, Tamilnadu). For this purpose almost 160 Russian specialists were sent to India during 1998 for a term of up to 2 months and some 50 specialists for shorter terms.
At the SHAR launching grounds, autonomous systems tests were completed and the automated control system was adjusted. Comprehensive tests in mid-1999 were the final stage of preparatory work.
The repeatedly postponed launching of the GSLV with a cryogenic accelerating block was scheduled for September 1999. The launch was delayed through the fault of both parties: the Indians were unable to fulfil their part of work in time, while the Russian side had to face financial and economic difficulties.
Ground equipment delivered to the SHAR space center will be maintained for 20 years under the designer's supervision to be exercised by Salyut which is to provide additional supplies of units and systems under new contracts.
For the purpose of expanding satellite launch potentiality the Indian leadership resolved to build another launching complex on Sriharikota Peninsula which would cost several billion dollars. Leading Indian companies are competing to obtain a contract under this state order. The degree of possible participation of Russian enterprises in this project has not yet been defined and will depend on the success of the CAB contracts.
India would not be able to develop their own cryogenic engine before 2005. In the opinion of Indian scientists, necessary conditions for the successful implementation of the project are available. According to the director of the Centre for Liquid-Propelled Engine Systems (Indian CAB development head organisation), they have completed design of a 7.5 ton engine and signed a contract for its manufacture with Indian companies, Godrej and Machine Tools and Reconditioning (MTAR).
In addition, the work is in progress on the creation of an infrastructure for servicing cryogenic engine-propelled rocket launches. For instance, since August 1996, ISRO has been producing cryogenic rocket fuel at a plant built with the assistance of Germany in Mahendraghiri (Tamilnadu), with a capacity of up to 8,000 litres of liquid oxygen, 5,500 litres of hydrogen and 2,500 litres of nitrogen; construction of testing grounds has been started there also. Furthermore, India has already built basic facilities for testing the turbine pump and engine control system. In the opinion of ISRO specialists, their CAB will be similar to Russian engines in terms of technical characteristics, but will be lighter and more powerful.
At the same time, CAB manufacturers faced certain difficulties. In particular, the low quality and insufficient supplies of the necessary aluminum and scandium alloys and of other special alloys will bring the engine's load capacity down to 1,000 kg instead of the planned 2,500 kg. In the absence of know-how for the so-called "wafer structure" and special equipment for large-diameter casing welding, the Indian side has to purchase containers for CABs from the French company Arianespace.
Vinod2070
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Well it is a journey. Some significant steps have been taken and some significant ones remain.
ISRO has been experimenting with recovery modules and I think it is on course for a human space visit on an Indian craft in the next 5-6 years time and after that a visit by an Indian to the moon on an Indian craft in another few years.
The first step is always the most difficult and India is well on the way.
ISRO has been experimenting with recovery modules and I think it is on course for a human space visit on an Indian craft in the next 5-6 years time and after that a visit by an Indian to the moon on an Indian craft in another few years.
The first step is always the most difficult and India is well on the way.
If India complained about Pakistan copying stolen US cruisemisile and help from China then why are they so filled up with their crashing on the moon and painting it as Indian achievement? I do not get it. You guys are posting so much in this topic yet none of you was able to enlighten us about your presidents actrivities in Russia and the real background of the engine... Just tell me, did I open up wrong info or is the truth? You guys can handle the truth, don't you ?
I really want to hear the definition of the word HOMEGROWN...
I really want to hear the definition of the word HOMEGROWN...
Vinod2070
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If India complained about Pakistan copying stolen US cruisemisile and help from China then why are they so filled up with their crashing on the moon and painting it as Indian achievement? I do not get it. You guys are posting so much in this topic yet none of you was able to enlighten us about your presidents actrivities in Russia and the real background of the engine... Just tell me, did I open up wrong info or is the truth? You guys can handle the truth, don't you ?
I really want to hear the definition of the word HOMEGROWN...
I don't know of India complaining! Where did it complain? UNSC!
The crashing on the moon is a major achievement, that is why it is so rare. It is the first step to soft landing and human landing.
It is well known that Russia supplied a number of Cryogenic Engines but not the technology. So it was developed by India and it is being improved as we speak. The next version of GSLV is going to be bigger and better. Then India is also working on the Air Breathing Rockets and Reusable Launch Vehicles which threaten to dramatically lower the cost of space launches.
You may know very well that in the space arena no nation will share technology with you. Not even your best friend. That is the nature of the beast.
Try getting it from China and you will know what I am talking of. They may sell you the satellites and launch it for you, they will never share the technology. Its not a market where any country wants competition, not if they can help it.
Vinod2070
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And BTW, I think you failed to notice that the MIP was just one of the 11 scientific instruments on board the Chandrayan-1 which will orbit the moon for 2 years.
Though it seems to have captured the most imagination as it was meant to be. India is now physically there and that means a lot to a lot of people.
You will know it when you do it. I saw NEO mentioning on this thread that he will not be able to control himself if ever Pakistan achieved such a feat and I can understand what he meant. Guess you may be able to at least try to understand the feelings if not experience them.
Though it seems to have captured the most imagination as it was meant to be. India is now physically there and that means a lot to a lot of people.
You will know it when you do it. I saw NEO mentioning on this thread that he will not be able to control himself if ever Pakistan achieved such a feat and I can understand what he meant. Guess you may be able to at least try to understand the feelings if not experience them.
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ISRO plans manned space mission ahead of manned moon mission-India-The Times of India
ISRO plans manned space mission ahead of manned moon mission
23 Nov 2008, 2023 hrs IST, PTI
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the success of Chandrayaan-1, the country's first moon mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning a manned space mission as a first step to manned moon mission.
"Sending man to moon is a very complicated mission. So, as a first step, we plan to develop an Indian spacecraft that will take astronauts across the earth and bring them back," ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said delivering a lecture on 'India's Recent Space Achievements' here on Sunday.
The government approval for the mission was yet to be received and ISRO was planning the programme by 2015, Nair said.
ISRO was also in the process of developing technologies for a manned moon mission and it would take more than six to seven years to develop those technologies, he said adding our effort is to achieve the milestone by the time the proposed next manned moon mission of USA and China materialise in 2020".
On the next Space programme of ISRO, Nair said government has accorded sanction for the Chandrayaan-II mission that would be launched in 2012. The work on Chandrayaan-II had started, he said. Under the programme, a robotic lunar rover would smooth land on the moon and conduct experiments, he said.
'Adithya', was the another space programme in the pipeline, he said. Under this programme, effort would be made to study the Solar System by launching a satellite and the same would be stationed within the earth orbit, he said.
"There was no plan to send any satellite to Sun," he said referring to media reports that ISRO was planning a Sun Mission.
ISRO plans manned space mission ahead of manned moon mission
23 Nov 2008, 2023 hrs IST, PTI
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the success of Chandrayaan-1, the country's first moon mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning a manned space mission as a first step to manned moon mission.
"Sending man to moon is a very complicated mission. So, as a first step, we plan to develop an Indian spacecraft that will take astronauts across the earth and bring them back," ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said delivering a lecture on 'India's Recent Space Achievements' here on Sunday.
The government approval for the mission was yet to be received and ISRO was planning the programme by 2015, Nair said.
ISRO was also in the process of developing technologies for a manned moon mission and it would take more than six to seven years to develop those technologies, he said adding our effort is to achieve the milestone by the time the proposed next manned moon mission of USA and China materialise in 2020".
On the next Space programme of ISRO, Nair said government has accorded sanction for the Chandrayaan-II mission that would be launched in 2012. The work on Chandrayaan-II had started, he said. Under the programme, a robotic lunar rover would smooth land on the moon and conduct experiments, he said.
'Adithya', was the another space programme in the pipeline, he said. Under this programme, effort would be made to study the Solar System by launching a satellite and the same would be stationed within the earth orbit, he said.
"There was no plan to send any satellite to Sun," he said referring to media reports that ISRO was planning a Sun Mission.
nitesh
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Committed people made Chandrayaan possible: Prof Menon
Committed people made Chandrayaan possible: Prof Menon
Chandigarh, November 23 : “Chandrayaan was made by ordinary people who were committed to its cause,” said Professor MGK Menon, renowned scientist and distinguished professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was addressing the Children Science Congress, 2008, at the Panjab University today. Menon talked about ISRO’s journey from its first satellite Aryabhatta to its latest accomplishment — Chandrayaan.
Briefing the students about the beginning of research on the universe, he said 1957 was the dawn of space age as there was increased solar activity during the year. The same year was celebrated as the International Geophysical Year all over the world.
He talked of the difficulties, landmarks and knowledge that his team acquired during the period which spanned over four decades. “In 1962, when ISRO started working on space, developing a satellite like Chandrayaan was unimaginable. During the early stages of our research, we lacked capabilities of building a satellite. Aryabhatta was built in a shed of tin. This made me believe that great institutes have small beginnings,” said Menon.
Also credited to be the man behind Chandrayaan, India’s first unmanned mission to moon, Menon said that the satellite is one of the many landmarks the country has achieved. “The route to Chandrayaan was based completely on self-reliance and it was Indians who made it happen. We developed the capabilities of instrumentation, design and building the satellite ourselves and we pride in this fact,” averred Menon.
“Those associated with this mission are common persons like us. The only difference is that they have remained dedicated to their task. Each one of us has the capability of achieving such an impossible sounding goal provided we are focused, diligent and have the interest of the nation in mind,” Menon summed up.
Committed people made Chandrayaan possible: Prof Menon
Chandigarh, November 23 : “Chandrayaan was made by ordinary people who were committed to its cause,” said Professor MGK Menon, renowned scientist and distinguished professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was addressing the Children Science Congress, 2008, at the Panjab University today. Menon talked about ISRO’s journey from its first satellite Aryabhatta to its latest accomplishment — Chandrayaan.
Briefing the students about the beginning of research on the universe, he said 1957 was the dawn of space age as there was increased solar activity during the year. The same year was celebrated as the International Geophysical Year all over the world.
He talked of the difficulties, landmarks and knowledge that his team acquired during the period which spanned over four decades. “In 1962, when ISRO started working on space, developing a satellite like Chandrayaan was unimaginable. During the early stages of our research, we lacked capabilities of building a satellite. Aryabhatta was built in a shed of tin. This made me believe that great institutes have small beginnings,” said Menon.
Also credited to be the man behind Chandrayaan, India’s first unmanned mission to moon, Menon said that the satellite is one of the many landmarks the country has achieved. “The route to Chandrayaan was based completely on self-reliance and it was Indians who made it happen. We developed the capabilities of instrumentation, design and building the satellite ourselves and we pride in this fact,” averred Menon.
“Those associated with this mission are common persons like us. The only difference is that they have remained dedicated to their task. Each one of us has the capability of achieving such an impossible sounding goal provided we are focused, diligent and have the interest of the nation in mind,” Menon summed up.
nitesh
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Munir,
Crashland is a shallow term that the Media cannot understand simply because they are too dumb or their readers wouldn't understand.
Along with the satellite, ISRO sent out a 29kg payload called MIP(Moon Impact Probe). This device ejects itself from the "mother ship"(the satellite) and enters the moon's atmosphere and falls under gravity, during which time the instruments generate data regarding moons' atmosphere and gravity. Abdul Kalam forced this on ISRO. The MIP is equipped with a 2 instruments for ranging and also a camera.
The Hindu Business Line : Moon impact probe device sends vital videos
Crashland is a shallow term that the Media cannot understand simply because they are too dumb or their readers wouldn't understand.
Along with the satellite, ISRO sent out a 29kg payload called MIP(Moon Impact Probe). This device ejects itself from the "mother ship"(the satellite) and enters the moon's atmosphere and falls under gravity, during which time the instruments generate data regarding moons' atmosphere and gravity. Abdul Kalam forced this on ISRO. The MIP is equipped with a 2 instruments for ranging and also a camera.
The Hindu Business Line : Moon impact probe device sends vital videos
My friend,
If it was a totally unknown moon with no knowledge of the environment then we might crash to test. The moon is extremely well documented. They could start with a decent touchdown if they did some more research. I think it is more about throwing something on the moon before China could do it. ou do remember US and USSR? While the Russians where clearly the first with a sat (sputnik), animal (nice dog) Laika, astronoaut (Yuri), space walk or space sex... The US wanted to put something on the moon just to show... Whether it contributed anything? I doubt that. Now India and China seems to do the same...
nitesh
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Munir, everything has a beginning. Whatever dta needs to be generated from the future mission ISRO has got it. The article has explained it. For the manned mission the space recovery capsule has already been tested in 2007.
Munir, mean while check this one: http://isro.org/Chandrayaan/htmls/objective_scientific.htm
This will tell u what exactly this mission want to achieve
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jeypore
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Competition does breed advancement, so what is throwing something to moon, as you have put it.
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