Indian Space Capabilities

[Malang]

India to launch remote sensing satellite this month

India will later this month launch a remote sensing satellite equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced scientific instruments, space agency officials said here Friday.

Cartosat-2A, as the all-weather, reconnaissance satellite is called, will be used to plan urban and rural development projects. It can also be used for intelligence gathering, the officials said.

"The tentative launch date is April 28," Indian Space Research Organisation chairman G. Madhavan Nair told reporters in Bangalore where the agency is based.

"The exact date and time will be finalised in a fortnight after factoring weather and other relevant data," he added.

Identical to the mapping satellite Cartosat-2, which was launched in January 2007, the 680-kilogram (1,500-pound) Cartosat-2A will be placed in a polar orbit at an altitude of 630 kilometres (391 miles).

The satellite will be launched by the Indian-developed rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, from the Sriharikota space station in southern India.

India started its space programme in 1963, and has since developed and put several of its own satellites into space. It has also designed and built launch rockets to reduce its dependence on overseas space agencies.

Space agency chairman Nair said the body has finalised a project report concerning a manned mission by 2014-15.

"The report is being submitted to the government for approval and budgetary allocation," he said. "The Space Commission, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will meet next week or so to review the report and take a decision."

AFP: India to launch remote sensing satellite this month

 

[Titanium]

ISRO's licensing role comes under US scrutiny

New Delhi (PTI): The role of India Space Research Organisation in influencing the licensing policy for hiring foreign satellites by telecom and broadcasting firms, has come the scanner of the US Department of Commerce.

An annual review, completed under an American law identifying barriers facing the US telecom and equipment suppliers, has found a conflict of interest between ISRO's "unofficial" role as a regulator and service provider for renting capacity on its satellites.

The Office of the US Trade Representative has said it would "continue to monitor all of these issues and encourage countries to address these concerns in ongoing engagement over the following year".

It said although India's Department of Telecommunications and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry act as licensing authorities for companies interested in utilising foreign satellite capacity, ISRO seems to greatly influence the licensing process.

ISRO "appears to exert enormous influence over the licensing process and prevents companies from contracting directly with foreign satellite operator," the review done under Section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 said.

Thus, the organisation plays an "unofficial policy role" and at the same time acts as a competitor to the foreign satellite operators, since it owns and operates India's domestic satellite system INSAT.

"This presents a serious conflict of interest that is likely to put foreign satellite operators at a competitive disadvantage and also limit the number of choices available to Indian telecommunications and broadcast companies in need of satellite capacity," the review said.

 

[bhangra12345]

ISRO's licensing role comes under US scrutiny


"This presents a serious conflict of interest that is likely to put foreign satellite operators at a competitive disadvantage and also limit the number of choices available to Indian telecommunications and broadcast companies in need of satellite capacity," the review said.

Oho! so these people are worried about business from indian broadcast companies, so that they can share a pie.

get lost

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

April 28: ISRO to launch 10 satellites
23 Apr 2008, 1420 hrs IST,PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch ten satellites, including eight from abroad, which will be carried by PSLV-C9 on April 28 from Sriharikota.

The cluster of satellites to be lifted included Indian satellite Cartosat-2A weighing 690 kg. The vehicle would also carry eight nano satellites of 16 to 27 kg from Canada, Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, an ISRO official told agencies.

The satellites would be ejected into 635 km orbit. Cartosat-2A, which is of one metre resolution, would be used for mapping purposes and management of natural resources.

The second Indian satellite of the cluster, weighing 85 kg, was an experimental remote sensing satellite. It would also be used as a platform for trying out advanced technology in the coming launches, the official said.

The launch is scheduled at 0920 hrs from ISRO's launch port Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on April 28.

"All launches are important. But, this is for the first time that ISRO is launching ten satellites together," the ISRo official said.

Of the eight nano satellites, six form a cluster called NLS-4. These satellites were built to test nano technologies for use in satellites.

ISRO considers the launch very important as it was a major step forward in its commercial launch operations. Technically also, it is an important mission, as satellites have to be put at the right time in precise orbit one by one, he said.

Antrix Corporation, marketing agency of the ISRO, is charging for launching the eight satellites, he said.

April 28: ISRO to launch 10 satellites-India-The Times of India

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

PSLV-C9 to Launch CARTOSAT-2A on April 28, 2008

Next launch of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C9, is scheduled to carry India’s latest Remote Sensing satellite, CARTOSAT-2A along with Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nanosatellites from abroad around 9.20 am on Monday, April 28, 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. This will be the thirteenth flight of PSLV and third flight with ‘core-alone’ configuration.

CARTOSAT-2A weighing about 690 kg carries a state-of-the-art Panchromatic camera (PAN) that is capable of taking black-and-white pictures in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The imagery will have a spatial resolution of about one metre. The camera covers a swath (geographical strip of land) of about 9.6 km. The highly agile CARTOSAT-2A is steerable along as well as across the direction of its movement to facilitate imaging of any area more frequently. CARTOSAT-2A will form a pair with CARTOSAT-2 launched on January 10, 2007 providing more frequent revisit.

Indian Mini Satellite-1 (IMS-1) is developed by ISRO. Weighing 83 kg at lift-off, IMS-1 incorporates many new technologies and has miniaturised subsystems. IMS-1 carries two optical payloads – a Multispectral camera (Mx Payload) and a Hyperspectral camera (HySI Payload). Both Mx and HySI payloads operate in the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The resolution of Mx camera is 37 metre with a swath of 151 km while that of HySI is about 506 metre with a swath of 129.5km. The data from this mission will be made available to developing countries.

Eight nanosatellites built by universities and research institutions in Canada and Germany are also being launched under a commercial agreement with Antrix Corporation. The weight of these Nanosatellites vary from 3 to 16 kg with a total weight of about 50 kg.

The launch campaign is progressing satisfactorily at SDSC SHAR. The satellite has already been integrated with the launch vehicle and on April 18, 2008, the launch vehicle was moved to the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

PSLV-C9 to Launch CARTOSAT-2A on April 28, 2008

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

Some Nice Pictures of PSLV-C9

PSLV - C9

 

[JEFF]

India creates space history with 10-in-1 successful satellite launch
Zeenews Bureau

Sriharikota, April 28: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) created history on Monday when it successfully launched 10 satellites into near-Earth orbit off a single launcher, PSLV-C9. All the 10 satellites – two of which were Indian and the rest foreign – were successfully put into orbit. It was for the first time in the world that as many as 10 satellites as payload were launched in a single mission. Earlier, Russia had launched eight satellites together.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C9) blasted off from the world-class second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh at 09:23 hrs.

It carried India`s latest Remote Sensing satellite, the 690-kg CARTOSAT-2A, along with the 83-kg Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nanosatellites, all put together weighing 50 kg. Six of the eight nanosatellites were clustered together and have the collective name NLS-4. The other two nanosatellites were NLS-5, built by University of Toronto, and RUBIN-8, built in Germany.

The launch vehicle injected the main payload CARTOSAT-2A in the Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit at a height of 635 km with an inclination of 97.94 degree with respect to the equator, about 885 seconds after lift off and after separation from the fourth stage. It was followed by the separation and injection of IMS-1 about 930 secs after the launch. Eight nanosatellites then got separated from the vehicle and were placed in the intended orbit in sequence.

The main passenger abroad the launcher, the indigenous CARTOSAT-2A will offer close views of objects less than one metre, from a height of 630 km.

CARTOSAT-2A, with a life of five years, is the third in the ‘carto’ or mapping series. CARTOSAT-1 (launched in May 2005) and CARTOSAT-2 (January 2007) are beaming pictures that are used by urban planning and infrastructure agencies.

According to ISRO, CARTOSAT-2A will form a pair with CARTOSAT-2, providing more frequent revisit of a location.

The IMS-1 has been specifically developed by ISRO for remote sensing purposes and to carry different payloads in future without significant change in it. Weighing 83 kg at lift-off, IMS-1, which was flown as an auxiliary payload, incorporates many new technologies and had miniaturised sub-systems.

NLS-4 developed by University of Toronto, Canada, consists of six nanosatellites developed by various universities. Two of them, CUTE 1.7 and SEEDS, were built in Japan, while the other four – CAN-X2, AAUSAT-II, COMPASS-1 AND DELPHI-C3 – were built in Canada, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands respectively.

The eight nanosatellites have been built to develop nanotechnologies for use in satellites as well as for the development of technologies for satellite applications. These tiny satellites were launched under a commercial agreement with Antrix Corporation.

This was the 13th flight of PSLV, the workhorse launch vehicle of the ISRO, and third flight with `core-alone` configuration.

Zee News - ISRO history satellite

 

[JEFF]

India's PSLV-C9 launched

India's PSLV-C9 blasted off into space, carrying ten satellites including the country's latest remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2A, from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Monday.

Scientists cheered as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its thirteenth flight, soared into the clear sky in a perfect lift off at 9.23 am from the second launch pad.



Besides the 690 kg CARTOSAT-2A, the PSLV is also carrying ISRO's Indian Mini Satellite-1 (IMS-1), weighing 83kg, and eight nano satellites built by universities and research institutes in Canada and Germany.



While the CARTOSAT-2A, carrying state-of-the-art panchromatic camera (PAN), will be used for mapping purposes and management of natural resources, the IMS-1 will be used as a platform for trying out advanced technology in future

launches.



The Rs 700 million PSLV-C9 will be second to a Russian rocket that delivered 16 in the outer space in April last year.



But the Russian launch vehicle carried a lesser payload of only around 300 kg.

This will be the thirteenth flight of PSLV and the third flight with 'core-alone' configuration, which means the main/core PSLV rocket will be without the hugging six strap-on booster motors that powers the first stage.

The highly agile remote sensing satellite can be manoeuvred to facilitate imaging of any area more frequently.

The 83 kg-Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) developed by ISRO incorporated many new technologies and has miniaturised subsystems.



Date from it will be shared with other developing countries.

All the 10 satellites will be fired 635 km into the respective polar sun synchronous orbit (SSO) within 16 minutes after blast off, officials said.

The two earlier core alone PSLVs carried foreign satellites with a payload of 352 kg and 535 kg, they said.

The two foreigh nano satellites, which together weigh just 51 kg, belong to research institutions in Germany and Canada and are being launched under a commercial arrangement with Antrix corporation.

All the satellites have already been integrated with the launch vehicle.



On 18th April 2008, the Polar rocket was moved to the second launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre

India's PSLV-C9 launched - www.ddinews.com



Here is a video of that launch

India creates space history-News-Broadband - Indiatimes.com

Congratulations to ISRO's Scientist and Support Staff.

 

[Flintlock]

Finally!! The thing had been delayed repeatedly. Apparently they were having a hard time figuring out the technicalities.

 

[Neo]

Congrats!

 

[Contrarian]

ISRO sets world record with 10 launches

India's PSLV-C9 has successfully injected ten satellites into orbit.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), set up 35 years ago, may be a baby among the world's space faring nations. But, it is competing with the other biggies to set world records.

And the mission, which has given ISRO an edge over other competitors, is the launch of India's latest Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

The launch vehicle took off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and has launched 10 satellites - a feat which has created a world record.

PSLV weighs 230 tons - the weight of almost 50 elephants - and is as high as a 12-storey building.

The launch vehicle has put two Indian and eight foreign satellites into orbit, it has beaten the current world record of hoisting eight satellites at one go accomplished by Russia almost a year ago.

At lift-off, the first stage of the rocket ignited. Three minutes after the flight, the massive heat shield peeled off. And then, one after the other, the third and fourth stages ignited taking the rocket higher.

Almost 15 minutes after the flight, India's mapping satellite called CARTOSAT 2-A was the first one to be put into orbit and 45 seconds later, the experimental remote sensing satellite, called the Indian Mini Satellite, was put into orbit.

After a gap of 100 seconds, all the babies on board were sequentially dropped off one by one, with a gap of 20 seconds each with the mission ending almost 20 minutes after lift-off.

The first foreign satellite to be dropped off was CUTE from Japan and the last to be ejected was RUBIN from Germany.

The high-resolution mapping satellite CARTOSAT 2-A, which, while placed at a height of over 600 kilometres, can identify objects as small as a car.
NDTV.com: ISRO sets world record with 10 launches

 

[Contrarian]

ISRO sets world record with 10 launches

India's PSLV-C9 has successfully injected ten satellites into orbit.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), set up 35 years ago, may be a baby among the world's space faring nations. But, it is competing with the other biggies to set world records.

And the mission, which has given ISRO an edge over other competitors, is the launch of India's latest Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

The launch vehicle took off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and has launched 10 satellites - a feat which has created a world record.

PSLV weighs 230 tons - the weight of almost 50 elephants - and is as high as a 12-storey building.

The launch vehicle has put two Indian and eight foreign satellites into orbit, it has beaten the current world record of hoisting eight satellites at one go accomplished by Russia almost a year ago.

At lift-off, the first stage of the rocket ignited. Three minutes after the flight, the massive heat shield peeled off. And then, one after the other, the third and fourth stages ignited taking the rocket higher.

Almost 15 minutes after the flight, India's mapping satellite called CARTOSAT 2-A was the first one to be put into orbit and 45 seconds later, the experimental remote sensing satellite, called the Indian Mini Satellite, was put into orbit.

After a gap of 100 seconds, all the babies on board were sequentially dropped off one by one, with a gap of 20 seconds each with the mission ending almost 20 minutes after lift-off.

The first foreign satellite to be dropped off was CUTE from Japan and the last to be ejected was RUBIN from Germany.

The high-resolution mapping satellite CARTOSAT 2-A, which, while placed at a height of over 600 kilometres, can identify objects as small as a car.
NDTV.com: ISRO sets world record with 10 launches

 

[Bushroda]

Congrats to ISRO & all the scientists involved in the successful mission.

Malay, could you tell me if the same process can be adopted by DRDO to MIRV Agni-III? I am not a defence buff but I guess the technical aspect involved should be same in launching 10 satellites & 10 warheads apart from the re-entry part. If I am not mistaken ISRO has already worked on the re-entry technology.

 

[PakiJane]

Hi everyone..

I am a civilian who is curious about how the Pak army works..

Therefore, brave jawans, could you please tell me:
1) Do you guys follow a 'BCT' [Basic Combat Training] schedule for 9 weeks at the beginning of your recruitment?
2) Is there a 'Victory Forge' in Pakistan too?

Basically, if there are any soldiers on this forum, please just tell me what life in the army is like...What's a typical day for you like, and how does that change once you start getting promotions and stuff..

Thanks
PakiJane

 

[Contrarian]

Congrats to ISRO & all the scientists involved in the successful mission.

Malay, could you tell me if the same process can be adopted by DRDO to MIRV Agni-III? I am not a defence buff but I guess the technical aspect involved should be same in launching 10 satellites & 10 warheads apart from the re-entry part. If I am not mistaken ISRO has already worked on the re-entry technology.

I will have to read about it mate. I dont have any off hand knowledge on this.

Yes, ISRO has worked on reentry technology. Last year they sent up a RV(reentry vehicle). You will find a report in this forum itself.