Indian Space Capabilities

[Shaurya]

ISRO sets ball rolling for Indian ‘GPS' / navigation system

The first of India's own little regional positioning satellites to better the US military-owned GPS may be put up in sky this year.

The seven-satellite constellation, called the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System, when fully in place over the coming years, will be far more accurate than the GPS that the world depends on. It would be available to users in the sub-continent all the time come rain or shine, according to ISRO.

The space agency along with its other government partners on Wednesday briefed 250 current and potential users, planners, industry and scientists on the uses of navigational systems. The Airports Authority of India co-sponsored the first Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) meet. ISRO's Director, Publicity and PR, Mr S.Satish, said GPS signals and position data received in the country are often wide of the mark. “When we have our own IRNSS, it will be equal to, if not better than, the GPS.”

An ISRO release said, “The regional navigational satellite system over the Indian region will provide the user a position accuracy that is better than 20 meters on a 24/7 all-weather basis.”

250 USERS AT MEET

It said, “The user meet aims to link industry, users and service providers enabling them to share information to promote navigation and positioning satellite systems for transportation, disaster management, environment and agriculture.

“The meet provides industry an exposure to the infinite possibilities of using navigation signals and its spin-offs.”

“Navigation has become an integral part of human activity. The space-based navigation system has emerged as a forerunner in providing the position, velocity and timing services. ISRO has identified satellite navigation as an important thrust area by planning GAGAN (GPS-Aided GEO-Augmented Navigation) and the upcoming IRNSS,” the release said.

Dr T.K.Alex, Member, Space Commission, and Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, inaugurated a technical meet on sat-nav opportunities and an exhibition of related products by Indian industry. Mr E.K.Bharat Bhushan, Director-General of Civil Aviation, and Mr S.K.Shiva Kumar, Associate Director, ISAC, were present.

Mr A.S.Ganeshan, Project Director, Navigation Systems, ISAC, presented the ISRO-AAI GAGAN project and the IRNSS. The users were told about the use of navigational signals for accurate positioning - as in civil aviation, transportation and other services.

GAGAN is a joint project of ISRO and AAI to augment or fine-tune the not-too-accurate GPS data obtained from the US. It will mainly benefit airlines over the country's airspace. GSAT-8, the first satellite carrying GAGAN payload or antenna, has been beaming signals since December 15, 2011.

Business Line : Industry & Economy / Economy : ISRO sets ball rolling for Indian

 

[Shaurya]

ISRO to fund Nuclear Fuel Complex's niobium facility


Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), the main supplier of fuel for India's nuclear power programme, will now set up an exclusive facility to produce niobium, a key material with critical applications in space and nuclear industry. The Rs 30-crore facility will be funded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

To be located in its campus in Hyderabad, the centre will have a capacity to produce a minimum of 3 tonnes a year of niobium and supply it to the ISRO, said Mr R.N. Jayaraj, Chairman and chief executive of NFC.

NFC signed a memorandum of understanding with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (part of ISRO), Thiruvananthapuram, recently. ISRO has given the financial sanction.A consultant was appointed and the detailed project report completed. Work will begin this month and the project would be ready for commissioning in the next 12-18 months, Mr Jayaraj told Business Line.

Niobium when combined with hafnium gives us niobhat. This alloy can withstand very high temperatures. It is used in the nozzles of spaceships, which need to be in space for long time. Hence, the critical nature of the product, explained Mr Jayaraj.

NFC has developed the technology to make both niobium and zirconium. The alloy of niobium and zirconium is used to fabricate coolant channels of nuclear power reactors.These coolant channels (about 306) in the core of the pressurised heavy water reactor carry the fuel rods, whose burn-up results in the generation of power.

NFC has also partnered C-Met and Midhani in getting the final product, niobhat, ready. NFC will make niobium thermite, and C-Met, Hyderabad, will produce hafnium thermite. Finally, Midhani, the defence public sector undertaking, here will manufacture the alloy.

Business Line : Industry & Economy News : ISRO to fund Nuclear Fuel Complex's niobium facility

 

[BoB's]

DRDO lab to develop spacesuits for Indian vyomanauts

The Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (Debel), a laboratory of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), will be designing and producing spacesuits for vyomanauts, as the Indian astronauts will be called.

The Bangalore-based Debel has previously created flight clothing for air crew as well as nuclear biological and chemical (NBC) protection suits. It has now been assigned to develop the highly complex suits to be used by vyomanauts in India’s first human space mission likely to be launched in 2015-16.

Dr. W Selvamurthy, DS & CC, R&D (Life Sciences & International Cooperation) with DRDO, told fibre2fashion, “Debel will design and produce spacesuits for the first vyomanauts of India.”

Explaining the unique properties that the spacesuits will have, he says, “The spacesuit is primarily meant for extra-vehicular activities (EVA) in the open space. Hence, it has to protect the wearer from the harsh environments encountered in open space in the form of enhanced radiation, extreme variations in temperature and orbiting micrometeroid particles.”

Continuing further, he says, “Also, the spacesuit should have a dedicated life support system that provides the inescapable and highly essential liveable atmosphere for the wearer encapsulated in the spacesuit. The suit will also have (a) the waste management system to support the wearer involved in long hours of EVA, (b) communication system, and (c) the inbuilt physiological health monitoring system to monitor the health of the wearer.”

Talking about the materials that will be used to make these spacesuits, he says, “Materials that are used in the making of spacesuits are similar to the ones that are used in the making of the protective systems, but the materials are specifically made to meet stringent specifications in order to ensure protection to the wearer in outer space. Materials that are used include but not necessarily limited to the following: nylon, spandex, nomex, Kevlar, Dacron, Teflon, neoprene coated nylon fabric, polyurethane coated nylon fabric, aluminized Mylar, polycarbonate, and fibreglass composite.”

Informing about Debel’s experience in designing protection suits, he says, “Debel has designed and developed Life Support Systems and Protection equipment (a) for the fighter pilots, (b) paratroopers, (c) to facilitate escape of the crew from the grounded submarine, (d) for personnel exposed to contaminated environments and (e) for cold conditions. All of these systems utilize one or the many materials that will be used in making spacesuits. However, all the protection suits designed so far have been meant for applications other than space, and hence their testing has not been carried out in space.”

Giving an idea about the cost and time factors for making the spacesuits, he says, “No estimate of the cost has been made for the indigenous development. It may take anywhere between 5-10 years for the indigenous development. Approximate cost of the imported spacesuit is few million dollars and it takes about 5000 man hours or roughly about three months if all the sub-systems are available.”

India : DRDO lab to develop spacesuits for Indian vyomanauts - Apparel News India

 

[IndianArmy]

A good development indeed. The Vyomanauts will have Indigenous Space suits.. Hope the DRDO takes Expert Advise from The obvious or the Govt funds a simulated environment to test the Space suit. Overall an Important development.

 

[Shaurya]

^^^ A little confused, is it a recycled news or a completely new one?? I read the same news about a month ago, in mid Feb. , hope started in mid Feb

 

[Yeti]

India ready with all-weather imaging satellite: ISRO

Bangalore: India is set to launch an indigenous satellite with the "unique" capability to capture images in all-weather conditions that will facilitate agriculture and disaster management, ISRO said today.

India currently depends on images from a Canadian satellite as domestic remote sensing spacecraft cannot take pictures of the ground during cloud cover.

After nearly 10 years of effort, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed -- with a lot of participation from Indian industries -- a microwave satellite that has the unique capability of imaging during day and night and in all weather conditions, it said.

"This (Radar Imaging Satellite or RISAT-1) is about 1,850 kg. So, this will be heaviest satellite lifted by a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)," ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said.

"It's most likely to be launched on April 26 at 5.45 am," he said. "It has taken about 10 years of efforts in developing this (RISAT-1)". The approved cost of RISAT-1, including its development, is Rs 378 crore, while Rs 120 crore has been spent to build the rocket (PSLV-C19), making it a Rs 498-crore mission.

RISAT-1 is a "complex satellite", Radhakrishnan said.


The satellite would be particularly useful in Kharif season when cloud-covered atmosphere is frequent. Images taken from the spacecraft of agricultural crops would enable planners with regard to production estimation and forecast, the space agency said.

During floods, aerial pictures would give a clear idea on the affected region and water level. In addition, this satellite can even "penetrate" the ground and throw light on soil moisture up to a few centimeters, Radhakrishnan said.

RISAT-1 would be launched into a 536-km orbit by PSLV, which is India's workhorse rocket.

The satellite carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, operating in a multi-polarisation and multi-resolution mode to provide images with coarse, fine and high spatial resolutions.

Radhakrishnan said ISRO had built two SARs in the past but these had been flown on aircraft.



India ready with all-weather imaging satellite: ISRO

 

[Bobby]

Great news....

 

[angeldemon_007]

India ready with all-weather imaging satellite: ISRO

Then launch it...i never thought ISRO will cause delays...the sat is already delayed atleast 2-3 years.

 

[sudhir007]

INSAT-2E completes 13 years of successful operation | idrw.org

After 13 years of operation, INSAT-2E, the last of the five satellites in the INSAT-2 series, has successfully completed its mission life.INSAT-2E was built with a planned mission life of 12 years and continued to function beyond that, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement here today.

Launched on April 3, 1999 by the European Ariane-5 launcher, INSAT-2E was positioned at 830 East longitude in the geostationary orbit.

INSAT-2E carried 14 C-band and 5 lower extended C-band transponders for various communication services. The satellite also carried a Very High Resolution Radiometer and a Charge Coupled Device camera for meteorological observation.

The 11 communication transponders of 36 MHz bandwidth onboard INSAT-2E were leased to International Telecommunication Satellite Organisation (INTELSAT), the first such lease from an Indian satellite. INSAT-2E was controlled from Master Control Facility at Hassan.

 

[Thundersword]

SELF RELIANCE IS ‘FREEDOM FROM CONTROLS AND DENIALS’

DRDO Press Release Dated March 31, 2012

DRDO pavilion setup with “Self-reliance” as the theme was visited by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri AK Antony, who earlier in the day, inaugurated the four day exhibition on 29 March 2012 at Pragati maidan. At DRDO pavilion, he took keen interest in various DRDO products and interacted with DRDO scientists and encouraged them. Other prominent dignitaries to the DRDO Pavilion included hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Dr. MM Pallam Raju and hon’ble Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence Shri Satpalji Maharaj.

An important part of DRDO participation in the event was the DRDO press conference held on 31 March 2012 during the DefExpo 2012. The press conference was addressed by Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Secretary, Deptt of Defence R&D and DG DRDO.

“Self reliance is freedom from controls and denials” stated Dr Saraswat during his opening remarks. He elaborated that self-reliance didn’t mean that everything have to be indigenous. Dr Saraswat informed that the production value of DRDO developed items was close to Rs One Lakh Forty Thousand Crores and the figure will go up substantially as many items are in advanced stages of acceptance.

Answering questions seeking details of Agni 5 long range surface to surface ballistic missile, he said “Agni 5 ka launch mid April main hoga, Iski range 5000 km se jyada hogi. Yah ek ballistic missile hai. Iska subse achchha feature yeh hai ki Isme composite motors hain jo sabse achchhi hoti hain”. (Agni 5 will be lauchned in mid April, its range is over 5000 km. It has composite motors which are considered the best). He also informed that A5 has highly accurate inertial navigation system and has built-in redundancies in its control systems that make it highly reliable. Comparing Agni 5 with missiles of this range available with other countries, he stated that India was far ahead of other countries, with few exceptions like US, “we are quite close to them” (referring to DRDO technology vs their technology in this area. This is because the missiles available with most such countries are very old).

When questioned on DRDO’s efforts in building technologies for securing our space based assets, Dr Saraswat stated, “We are giving major emphasis on space security. We are putting our efforts in building capabilities for ensuring that we can protect against an incoming missile (i.e. coming towards our satellite)”, He informed that technologies are being built to protect our satellites from attempts to cause damage, both, electronically and physically. For the later, the capability to destroy hostile missile in space had been demonstrated by the successful ‘ballistic missile defence program’. “We are also having anti-satellite capability in terms of technologies that we have developed in ‘ballistic missile defence’ system” mentioned Dr Saraswat. “Engagement of a satellite is a much easier task as compared to the task of engaging a ballistic missile because of the fact that trajectories, timings and altitudes of the satellites are very well defined. What you need is the capability to reach those altitudes and those velocities. After the launch of Agni 4, we have built those capabilities. After the launch of ballistic missile defence, we have the kill vehicles that can take the payload to within few meters of the target. This gives us great advantage”, he stated. He also elaborated ‘Launch (of satellite) on Demand’, as another kind of capability that DRDO was working on, that will provide support to our armed forces (e.g. communication, navigation and guidance) in case access to our regular satellites is denied. “This capability will be based on Agni 4 and Agni 5 missiles and give us capability to launch mini- and micro- satellites within few hours of demand”.

When questioned about Arihant, the indigenous nuclear powered submarine, he said, “Arihant is in advanced stage of integration and I am sure within few months, we will see its operation”. On a question related to progress of K-15 program, he mentioned about recent successful trials and informed that the missile was getting ready for final phase of induction.

Dispelling any concern about the performance of MBT Arjun, he said, “Arjun tank has performed very well. There is no ambiguity as far as performance is concerned. In comparative trials with T-90, Arjun tank came out with much better performance. He further stated that maintenance infrastructure in the Army (for the Arjun tank regiments already inducted in army) was getting consolidated, once the consolidation was completed, problem, if any, related to availability of spares from the factory to the units, will also get resolved.

On a question about LCA Tejas, he said, “Tejas (program) is in good shape. all the observations made by the Air force during IOC trials have been attended to”. On “LCA Navy”, he informed that its taxi runs have been completed it was about to enter the flight trial phase. Since it has to operate from the deck of the ship, the Naval version incorporates many new features as compared to the air force version.

Replying to a question on DRDO’s experience with Tatra vehicles, Dr Saraswat stated “Our choice of vehicles is purely based upon what vehicles have been inducted in the armed forces, so that they don’t have to have a separate inventory and maintenance infrastructure”. “We have used them extensively during the past over twenty years on all kind of terrains and we would say that it is one of the very good vehicles already inducted by the armed forces.”

Series of meetings were held at DRDO pavilion with high level delegations from leading countries of the world, and resulted in fruitful discussions. The discussions will further enhance DRDO’s collaboration with global leaders in the areas of advanced technologies.

Another highlight was the launch of two of DRDO technologies that are among twenty six such technologies developed for defence applications and released for commercialization exploitation under the DRDO-FICCI ATAC (Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialization) program. The Explosive Detection Kit (EDK), and The Swine Flu diagnostic kit were launched by Dr Saraswat during a Launch Function on Saturday 31 March 2012. The Explosive Detection Kit (EDK), developed by Pune based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, can quickly detect and identify even traces of explosives. The handy kit is ideally suited to be carried and used everywhere. The Swine Flu diagnostic kit, developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, can detect H1N1 virus within an hour. The kit does not need sophisticated instruments and can even be used in villages where electricity is not available.

 

[Yeti]

NEW DELHI: Is there life out there? This is what India wants to find out by joining a global search for alien life forms.

As part of a new project called 'Detection of Life Forms in Other Planets', India will soon build a near human robotic system - a robonaut -- with capability "for analysis and assessment of air, water and soil and detection of possible life forms".

The Department of Atomic Energy's working group for the 12th five year plan says the quest for detection of life forms existing in other planets than earth will be an interesting and challenging project that India will push to become part of.

"It would be worthwhile to explore partnerships with one of the five space agencies for development of suitable software and hardware for the robotic operations in outer space. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has already expressed its interest in joining the International Space Station programme at the International Astronautical Congress," the group said.

The International Space Station is operated as a joint programme by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of US, Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency ( ESA).

According to the department, the operational costs for development of a robonaut "may require considerable investments. The contribution from India for the robotic operations will depend on the tasks assigned and agreed to upon by all the partner nations."

It further says that the costs of development and participation for design, modelling of software and hardware for robotic operations for detection of life forms in outer space and for initial studies, simulation, laboratory trials of critical components is expected to be around Rs 500 crore during the 12th five year plan.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center recently unveiled a gold-helmeted robot Robonaut 2 - the first humanoid robot in space that took over 15 years to create. R2 was developed jointly by NASA and General Motors under a cooperative agreement to develop a robotic assistant that can work alongside humans, whether they are astronauts in space or workers at GM manufacturing plants on Earth.

The 300-pound R2 consisted of a head and a torso with two arms and two hands.

"This project exemplifies the promise that a future generation of robots can have both in space and on earth, not as replacements for humans but as companions that can carry out key supporting roles," said John Olson, director of NASA's Exploration Systems Integration Office in Washington while unveiling R2.

He added, "The combined potential of humans and robots is a perfect example of the sum equaling more than the parts. It will allow us to go farther and achieve more than we can probably even imagine today."

Experts say in the future, the greatest benefits of humanoid robots in space may be as assistants or stand-in for astronauts during spacewalks or for tasks too difficult or dangerous for humans. For now, R2 is still a prototype and does not have adequate protection needed to exist outside the space station in the extreme temperatures of space.

Soon, India’s robonaut to hunt for aliens - The Times of India

 

[i am the knight]

After the success story of Chandrayan-1, Bangalore headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is now gearing up for its prestigious mission to Mars. A source in the Isro told The Pioneer that a formal approval from the Government for the Mars mission is expected soon. According to Isro, the Mars Mission will be in 2013 and space scientists are working in this direction to make it possible well within the time frame after the formal approval from the Government.



Isro spokesperson S Satish told The Pioneer that the proposal is awaiting approval from the Government and the Mars mission is targeted for November 2013 which the earliest opportunity is considering earth mars geometry.



The recent annual report of Isro has mentioned that the Mars mission will look at climate, geology, origin from evolution and sustainability of life on the plant. The Mars mission envisages launching an orbiter around Mars using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL). The orbiter will be placed in an orbit of 500x80,000 km around Mars and will have a provision for carrying nearly 25 kg of scientific payloads onboard.



According to the annual report the scientific payloads have been shortlisted by the Isro’s Advisory Committee for Space Sciences (ADCOS) review committee. Baseline, solar array and reflector configuration of the satellite have been finalised. Frequency filing for communication subsystem is under progress.



In another development Isro has signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bangalore for development and delivery of solar coronagraph payload for its ADITYA-1 project while mechanical configuration of the satellite is in progress. ADITYA-1 is the first space-based solar coronagraph intended to study the outermost region of the sun called corona. ADITYA-1 in the visible and near IR bands will study the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) such as the coronal magnetic field structures and evolution of the coronal magnetic field and consequently the crucial physical parameters for space weather.

Meanwhile Isro is gearing up to launch its RISAT -1, Radar Imaging Satellite, on April 26 early morning from Sriharikota.



According to Satish, the preparations were on for the launch of this indigenously built satellite which has the capacity to take images of the earth during the day and night as well in any condition.



India had launched RISAT-2, which it bought from Israel for $110 million, on April 20, 2009, and Resourcesat-2 mission took place on the same day last year. Both were successful ventures.

RISAT-1, weighing around 1850 kg, is slated for launch by Isro’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C19 (XL)) into a 536 km orbit. The RISAT-1 will be useful for monitoring of agriculture and water resources management, among other applications. RISAT-1 carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, operating in a multi-polarisation and multi-resolution mode to provide images with coarse, fine and high spatial resolutions respectively.

http://http://dailypioneer.com/nation/59047-isro-flying-high-all-set-for-mars-mission.html

 

[Ammyy]

What about RISAT-1 launch ???

No news for this launch on net ....

 

[Bharthi]

Sriharikota readying for PSLV launch on Thursday | Deccan Chronicle


Sriharikota readying for PSLV launch on Thursday

As the nation is celebrating its Agni-V launch, the Space scientists in Kerala are looking forward to repeat the nation’s success on April 26, when PSLV- C19 satellite will be launched from Sriharikota.

“This is the first time we are going to launch a microwave remote-sensing satellite into the orbit carrying a synthetic aperture radar (SAR)”, Dr. P.S. Veeraraghavan, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), told DC here.

PSLV-C19 will be carrying Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-1), a microwave remote-sensing satellite weighing around 1,850 kg.

Veeraraghavan said PSLV- C19 will be launched into a 536 km orbit with 25 days’ “repetitivity” with an added advantage of 12 days’ inner cycle for receiving images on scan mode. Veeraraghavan is known for his contributions to the launch vehicle technology, specially in the areas of integration and checkout of Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) launch vehicles.

The outstanding feature of PSLV – C19 is that it can provide images of the Earth for all 24 hours in all weather conditions. Previous satellites could not provide optical images in cloudy conditions. When launched, this would be the heaviest satellite so far. Around 3,000 people from different centres of VSSC, ISRO and National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) are working for the successful launch.

Dr. V. Adimurthy, Dean of Indian Institute of Space, Science and Technology in Valiyamala said, “Whenever there’s a launch, we keep documenting all the procedures, and do repeated safety checks.”

Both Dr. Adimurthy and Dr. Veeraraghavan were on their way to Sriharikotta to celebrate the victory of Agni-V launch.

 

[Abingdonboy]

^^ should give a great boost to intelligence services of RAW/NRTO and shall serve as a great compliment to RISAT-2 which is already serving the nation.