Indian Space Capabilities

[Odysseus]

Isro all set to test the `desi space shuttle' on May 23​

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first-of-its-kind indigenous space mission, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is all set for the launch of Re-usable Satellite Launch VehicleTechnology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) on May 23. It is cheered as a baby step towards the historic launch of the advanced RLV by 2020.

After a series of tests at the sub-system level such as actuator and flight control tests, followed by integration of the shuttle parts with electronic tests in March this year, RLV-TD was sent to National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru for acoustics testing. Now, the space shuttle is at Sriharikota spaceport and the final mission readiness tests are being conducted for its launch, which is tentatively scheduled for May 23, VSSC director K Sivan said.

"RLV-TD is a baby step towards the launch of the advanced RLV with air breathing propulsion system (ABPS) and reusable launch vehicle technology. The purpose of developing advanced RLV with ABPS is to reduce the cost of space launches, if engines and structures are recovered and re-used. Current RLV-TD has no recovery plans," he said.

Current RLV-TD incurs a project cost of Rs 95 crore. The advanced RLV with ABPS uses atmospheric air as oxidizer for combustion, with vehicle fuel to propel the rocket, and it can bring down space travel cost by 110th and eventually by 1100th later.

"With the first-of-its-kind delta wings that makes supersonic flights feasible, this space shuttle RLV-TD that weighs about 1.75 tonnes will be propelled into the atmosphere on a special rocket booster, all built indigenously," said project director of this mission Shyam Mohan.

After the spacecraft manoeuvres, which includes booster rocket separation when the vehicle ascends and then makes a hypersonic entry which is at five times the speed of sound, it enters a descent phase and glides onto a designated virtual runway in the Bay of Bengal some 500km from the coast.
"A key technology developed by scientists here is the re-usable thermal protection system (TPS) to make materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, that the exterior of the space shuttle will have to bear, when it returns into the dense atmosphere after its journey through near vacuum in space," he said.
It involved developing lightweight heat resistant silica tiles, that are plastered on the underbelly of the spacecraft, that can withstand temperatures up to 7,000 degrees celsius. The first of its kind indigenously developed carbon-carbon nose cap can resist high temperatures up to 2,000 degree celsius, when the vehicle reaches hypersonic speed, added Mohan.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ce-shuttle-on-May-23/articleshow/52346584.cms

 

[gslv mk3]

2015-2016 annual report is out.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

RLVTD

Hypersonic Flight Experiment (HEX)

 

[Bhasad Singh Mundi]

 

[Local_Legend]

Just a question ..... are we developing any ASAT ?????

any clue or conclusion ?

 

[kali]

What is status of India's ULV program and when ADITYA will launch ?

 

[Local_Legend]

Deferred GSAT-18 awaits October launch at Kourou

GSAT-18, the country’s upcoming communication satellite, has to wait until October in Kourou in French Guiana for launch after its Japanese co-passenger was found damaged days ahead of the launch planned this month.

The 3.4-tonne satellite would have flown into its orbit on July 12 on a European Ariane 5 rocket along with the Japanese spacecraft.

The launch company, Arianespace, deferred the scheduled double-launch after Japan’s Superbird-8 spacecraft reportedly sustained damage.

Arianespace, which ISRO has contracted to put GSAT-18 into space, now has to find a suitable riding mate for the Indian spacecraft from among its other customers.

A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of the ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space, said: “Originally, the GSAT-18 was scheduled to be launched on July 12. The launch date is now changed because of the co-passenger developing an issue. We will now have the launch more or less in the first week of October.”

Next GSAT-17

The three-month gap would not affect the available national satellite capacity. The next one, GSAT-17, also by Arianespace, is getting ready for blast-off in the first quarter of 2017, Mr. Kumar told The Hindu.

ISRO is developing its own four-tonne launcher, GSLV-Mk3 or LVM-3, to launch communications satellites like GSAT-18.

Health monitoring

Meanwhile, GSAT-18 remains at the Guiana Space Centre while most of the satellite’s engineering support team that accompanied it from Bengaluru has returned. A small team has stayed back to monitor the health of the spacecraft.

Post-launch, GSAT-18 will be positioned at 74 degrees East longitude, where the older INSAT 4CR (launched in 2007) and INSAT-3C (of 2002) are functioning.

According to ISRO officials, it is not uncommon for launch agencies, including ISRO that launches smaller commercial satellites on its PSLV rocket, to reschedule flights when they are putting more than one spacecraft on a single rocket. All satellites flying together must be compatible in many ways beyond size and shape.


Arianespace now has to find a suitable riding mate for the Indian spacecraft from its customers


http://www.thehindu.com/todays-pape...s-october-launch-at-kourou/article8829906.ece

 

[gslv mk3]

@kurup @Water Car Engineer did you folks miss this interesting ISRO HLV- concept ?

Sivan said: “As regards heavy-lift vehicles, we are in the process of discussion. It will be a TSTO vehicle whose first stage, like SpaceX’s, will be a five-engine semi-cryo cluster. This will have a modular structure. With one core semi-cryo stage, we can simply go on adding any number of strap-ons, and different payload requirements can be met. The second stage will be a cryo-stage. After the first stage is separated, it can be recovered in sea, like SpaceX has done. Though we have the technology to recover the cryogenic second stage, it is not very cost-effective. The first stage will not be a winged structure. We can manoeuvre it and bring it back to SHAR [in Sriharikota] also. But this will have a tremendous loss of payload. Because you have to retro-fire the rocket and have a controlled descent, you have to carry double the amount of propellants.”

I had seen this concept a few months before, when I was still doing by B.Tech in mechanical engineering. We had a visiting faculty from LPSC, Trivandrum, and the topic was liquid propulsion systems. And in that presentation, there was a slide about this prospective design of HLV- though he didn't give out any info about it. The slide said it could launch 12/13 tonnes to GTO

BTW ISRO's semi-cryogenic engine is expected to be ready by 2018.

LPSC is now developing SC200 stage (and not SC160,as contemplated earlier) to replace the L110 on LVM3. The payload to GTO would now be 7.5 tonnes & not 6 tonnes as earlier thought .This could also mean that we would have a common liquid core to be shared between the LVM3-SC (ULV?) & HLV. But now there seems to be no clarity wrt HLV plans.

In the meantime, they're tweaking the design of LVM3- Ogival payload fairings & inclined strap on nose-cone ala Ariane V (pic from NAL)

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b...load%2520Fairing%2520-%2520New%255B3%255D.jpg

Modification of the overall vehicle configuration to bring down the aerodynamic sensitivity, reduce loads and improving the payload capability to 4,000 kg are already on the anvil. The heat shield will be changed from conical to ogive shape and a new S200 booster with improved thrust time profile will be used for LVM-3-D1

From Outcome budget 2016-17

1(c).4 Major configuration changes recommended for LVM3-D1 mission are the change of payload fairing to Ogive shaped nose cone with reduced cylinder length in lieu of 200 straight nose cone and inclined S200 strapon nose cone in lieu of axi symmetric nose cone. Closure of C25 inter tank structure is also recommended.

 

[gslv mk3]

In the area of Launch Vehicle technology development, critical technology initiatives such as composite segmented booster case for large solid motors, elastic memory composites and carbon-carbon technology demonstrators including optimization studies of carbon-carbon processing through
CVI furnace, Robotics for planetary missions, Nano materials and composite, lunar soft lander etc., shall be pursued. Similarly, in the area of Satellite Technology development of Green House Gases and Trace gases sensors using hyperfine and ultrafine spectrometers, Field based multi-frequency microwave Ground Penetrating Radar, Reflective Optics with large diameter mirrors, Advance SiC Mirror technology for 2 to 2.5 M Optics, CFRP and composite based telescope/antenna structures, higher capacity Lithium ion batteries, Electric propulsion along with chemical propulsion, miniaturization – MMICs, ASICs, FPGAs, HMCs, BGAs based systems, I-6K Unified bus with modular design, multi EV panels and scalable structure (Bus module & payload module), Inter-satellite communication links, Multi channel Waveguide Rotary Joint, Development of Portable Ku-band Tele-medicine Terminal, Satcom based Automatic Identification System (AIS), development of Indigenous Space qualified atomic clocks & On-board time synchronization technology shall be initiated.

From ISRO Outcome budget 2016-17

 

[fsayed]

ISRO Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV) To Carry Satellites Weighing ~10 Tonnes
By Kaustubh Katdare in 'Other Engineering Trades', May 30, 2015.
The Indian Space Research Organisation is developing new heavy lift launch vehicle (HLV) to carry future satellites, weighing up to 10 tonnes. Dr. M.C. Dathan, the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram informed that the upcoming scheduled test flight of GSLV MK3 in 2016 will be able to carry satellites up to 4 tonnes. However, the future satellites will weigh a minimum of about six tonnes and it's become necessary to design and develop heavy lift launch vehicle.

Dr. Dathan further informed that ISRO is taking a modular approach to develop the HLV. One of the ideas is to add a semi-cryogenic engine stage to the GSLV MK3 which will generate a total lift of about 6 tonnes. A more powerful upper cryo-stage will be required to generate an overall lift of about 10 tonnes. ISRO engineers are considering need-based, progressive development of the MK3 variants instead of a new rocket altogether every time.


The innovation in technology related to circuit design and miniaturisation is leading to lighter weight satellites which require lesser lift to put them into orbit. This is why ISRO's adopting a modular approach. Dr. Dathan further informed that ISRO's also developing an orbiter, lander and rover for the upcoming Chandrayaan-2 mission. India second mission to the moon is planned in 2017.

We've seen a lot of action at ISRO in the recent times. We ISRO's talented engineers and scientists all the best for all the upcoming missions. We promise to keep our readers updated with the latest and the best from ISRO.
http://www.crazyengineers.com/threa...to-carry-satellites-weighing-10-tonnes.80909/

@gslv mk3

 

[egodoc222]

ISRO Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV) To Carry Satellites Weighing ~10 Tonnes
By Kaustubh Katdare in 'Other Engineering Trades', May 30, 2015.
The Indian Space Research Organisation is developing new heavy lift launch vehicle (HLV) to carry future satellites, weighing up to 10 tonnes. Dr. M.C. Dathan, the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram informed that the upcoming scheduled test flight of GSLV MK3 in 2016 will be able to carry satellites up to 4 tonnes. However, the future satellites will weigh a minimum of about six tonnes and it's become necessary to design and develop heavy lift launch vehicle.

Dr. Dathan further informed that ISRO is taking a modular approach to develop the HLV. One of the ideas is to add a semi-cryogenic engine stage to the GSLV MK3 which will generate a total lift of about 6 tonnes. A more powerful upper cryo-stage will be required to generate an overall lift of about 10 tonnes. ISRO engineers are considering need-based, progressive development of the MK3 variants instead of a new rocket altogether every time.


The innovation in technology related to circuit design and miniaturisation is leading to lighter weight satellites which require lesser lift to put them into orbit. This is why ISRO's adopting a modular approach. Dr. Dathan further informed that ISRO's also developing an orbiter, lander and rover for the upcoming Chandrayaan-2 mission. India second mission to the moon is planned in 2017.

We've seen a lot of action at ISRO in the recent times. We ISRO's talented engineers and scientists all the best for all the upcoming missions. We promise to keep our readers updated with the latest and the best from ISRO.
http://www.crazyengineers.com/threa...to-carry-satellites-weighing-10-tonnes.80909/

@gslv mk3

Any update on semicryo engine development?

 

[nik141993]

@kurup @Water Car Engineer did you folks miss this interesting ISRO HLV- concept ?

Sivan said: “As regards heavy-lift vehicles, we are in the process of discussion. It will be a TSTO vehicle whose first stage, like SpaceX’s, will be a five-engine semi-cryo cluster. This will have a modular structure. With one core semi-cryo stage, we can simply go on adding any number of strap-ons, and different payload requirements can be met. The second stage will be a cryo-stage. After the first stage is separated, it can be recovered in sea, like SpaceX has done. Though we have the technology to recover the cryogenic second stage, it is not very cost-effective. The first stage will not be a winged structure. We can manoeuvre it and bring it back to SHAR [in Sriharikota] also. But this will have a tremendous loss of payload. Because you have to retro-fire the rocket and have a controlled descent, you have to carry double the amount of propellants.”

I had seen this concept a few months before, when I was still doing by B.Tech in mechanical engineering. We had a visiting faculty from LPSC, Trivandrum, and the topic was liquid propulsion systems. And in that presentation, there was a slide about this prospective design of HLV- though he didn't give out any info about it. The slide said it could launch 12/13 tonnes to GTO

BTW ISRO's semi-cryogenic engine is expected to be ready by 2018.

LPSC is now developing SC200 stage (and not SC160,as contemplated earlier) to replace the L110 on LVM3. The payload to GTO would now be 7.5 tonnes & not 6 tonnes as earlier thought .This could also mean that we would have a common liquid core to be shared between the LVM3-SC (ULV?) & HLV. But now there seems to be no clarity wrt HLV plans.

In the meantime, they're tweaking the design of LVM3- Ogival payload fairings & inclined strap on nose-cone ala Ariane V (pic from NAL)

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bC7wzIXruQI/VgaNUctSIzI/AAAAAAAAMTc/CdG-3jvUqCM/s1600-h/LVM3%2520-%2520Payload%2520Fairing%2520-%2520New%255B3%255D.jpg

Modification of the overall vehicle configuration to bring down the aerodynamic sensitivity, reduce loads and improving the payload capability to 4,000 kg are already on the anvil. The heat shield will be changed from conical to ogive shape and a new S200 booster with improved thrust time profile will be used for LVM-3-D1

From Outcome budget 2016-17

1(c).4 Major configuration changes recommended for LVM3-D1 mission are the change of payload fairing to Ogive shaped nose cone with reduced cylinder length in lieu of 200 straight nose cone and inclined S200 strapon nose cone in lieu of axi symmetric nose cone. Closure of C25 inter tank structure is also recommended.

awseome news brother is this concept he is talking about

 

[gslv mk3]

awseome news brother is this concept he is talking about

Yes, this look similar in configuration. Though as far as I remember, the first stage had a larger diameter than second.

 

[fsayed]

Any update on semicryo engine development?

http://www.aame.in/2015/08/first-prototype-of-isro-semi-cryogenic.html?m=1
http://m.thehindu.com/news/cities/M...-for-gslv-mkiii-by-yearend/article8149771.ece

http://www.isro.gov.in/new-brazing-process-semi-cryo-engine-established-isro

 

[Ankit Kumar 002]

ISRO's Share in global space business .
PIB Release

India’s share in International Satellite Market

According to the published reports available in the public domain on the international satellite market, the average annual revenue over the last three years, is approximately $200 billion (Rs. 13 Lakh Crore), which includes the launch services market (Rs. 0.37 Lakh Crore), satellite manufacturing (Rs. 1.07 Lakh Crore), ground equipment (Rs.3.85 Lakh Crore) and satellite services (Rs. 8.17 Lakh Crore). ISRO is providing the launch capacity, when available, for launching satellites on a commercial basis through Antrix Corporation Limited. During the last year (2015-16), Antrix earned a revenue of approximately Rs. 230 Crore through commercial launch services, which is about 0.6% of the global launch services market.

In order to meet the enhanced national requirements for launching satellites for earth observation, communication & navigation, ISRO is taking steps to increase the launch capacity. ISRO will continue to provide the launch capacity, when available, for commercial launch services. Towards stepping up the launch capacity, ISRO is in the process of exploring the possibility of enhanced involvement of Indian industry. Besides meeting the national demand, the industry can explore the opportunities for commercial launch services.

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 a reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today.

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KSD/NK/PK
(Release ID :147441)

Scramjet Engine Test !

Department of Space21-July, 2016 15:55 IST
Test Flight of Indigenously Developed Scramjet Engine

The testing of sub-scale demonstrator scramjet engine is envisaged as a part of technology demonstration, by mounting it on a two stage solid rocket. This test intends to demonstrate supersonic combustion in flight and evaluate the integrated functioning of the engine. The preparations for carrying out the test are underway and the test is likely to be conducted in the third quarter of 2016.

Scramjet engine technology is a complex technology which is yet to be fully proven worldwide. It is envisaged for use in launch vehicle, once the technology attains sufficient maturity. The technology will be useful only during the atmospheric phase of the flight of launch vehicle and will benefit in bringing down the cost of access to space, by reducing the amount of the oxidizer to be carried along with the fuel.

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 a reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today.

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KSD/NK/PK
(Release ID :147439)

MTCR AND INDIAN SPACE PROGRAM

Benefits from MTCR for Space Programme

India joining MTCR would benefit our space development programme in:-

(i) Strengthening our international cooperation activities in high technology areas with other space faring nations.

(ii) Easing the procurements & supplies of export controlled high/ advanced technology items, components, materials, and equipment from other countries, especially MTCR partner states.

(iii) Enhancing our commercial ventures in terms of export of sub-systems, satellites and commercial launch services etc.

India as a major space faring nation and as a partner state in MTCR could play critical roles in various international fora such as UNCOPUOS, UN Conference on Disarmament (CD) and other space related international fora in major policy decisions relating to space applications, space security topics. India, as a Partner State of MTCR, can take part in the decision making process in ensuring non-proliferation of sensitive space technology related items, which are controlled through a list (called Technical Annex) and reviewed & revised annually through Technical Experts Meetings.

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 a reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today.

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KSD/NK/PK
(Release ID :147438)

**********************************
Joint Project of NASA and ISRO

Development of Data Satellite by NASA and ISRO

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).

In this joint mission, JPL/ NASA will be responsible for design & development of L-band SAR, 12m unfurlable antenna & its deployment elements, GPS system and data recorder. ISRO will be responsible for design & development of S-band SAR, Spacecraft Bus, data transmission system, Spacecraft integration & testing, launch using GSLV and on-orbit operations. The L & S band microwave data obtained from this satellite will be useful for variety of applications, 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 and variation of winds in coastal waters; assessment of mangroves; surface deformation studies etc.

ISRO and JPL/ NASA are working towards realisation of this mission by 2021. Both agencies have obtained necessary approvals from respective governments. The joint science observation plan has been documented with the participation of Indian and American scientists. The core science teams of India and USA meet every six months to discuss various observation requirements and strategies of science observation. The technical teams of both the agencies are working towards building the necessary systems.

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 a reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today.

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KSD/NK/PK
(Release ID :147437)

@PARIKRAMA @Water Car Engineer @Abingdonboy @anant_s @gslv mk3

PIB releases based on questions asked / answered related to ISRO in parliament today.