Indian Space Program: News & Discussions

LPSC celebrates Pearl Jubilee: Video

https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/videos/lpsc_3min_mpeg1.mp4.mp4

Also:

NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation is working on the design of a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) which would be a compact launcher exclusively for smaller satellites, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. The small launch vehicle is likely to reduce the cost for launching satellites in the competitive space technology market. When ISRO launched a record 104 satellites in February last year, except the Cartosat-2, all were small satellites.

"ISRO is working on the design of a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), that is a compact launcher for small satellites," minister of state in the PMO, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question. In reply to another question, minister of state for science and technology and earth sciences YS Chowdary said: "A project for setting up of a total of 32 new seismological observatories is under implementation and is likely to be completed by the end of financial year 2017-18".

After the installation of 32 new observatories, the strength of the National Seismological Network (NSN) shall be assessed and accordingly plan for setting new observatories in gap areas shall be planned, he added.

Isro working on design of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle: Govt - Times of India

Information from other sources indicates that the SSLV might be tested for the first time sometime in the first half of 2019.
 
Last edited:
  • Informative
Reactions: GuardianRED
End of Team Indus Mission Moon? Contract with ISRO cancelled: Report
Lack of funding, lack of technological progress and managerial issues led to the downfall of the much-hyped Mission Moon, reports The Ken.


TeamIndus%20Moon%20Mission%20750x500_0.jpg


The much-hyped and much-talked about Bengaluru-based space tech startup TeamIndus, which was launching a mission to the moon in pursuit of the $30-million Google Lunar XPRIZE, seems to have hit a major roadblock. According to a report by The Ken, the launch contract that TeamIndus signed with Antrix Corporation, which the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in December 2016, has been cancelled.

Team Indus was the only Indian team among the five finalists competing for the $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE and the deadline for the completion of the lunar mission is March 31, 2018.

Ken reports that with the contract for a chartered launch on ISRO’s rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), being called off, ‘it’s virtually impossible for TeamIndus to secure another contract on any other rocket and launch before the deadline’.

This means that it is an end to the startup’s pursuit of the GLXP.

One of the main reasons for the downfall of TeamIndus pursuit has been a lack of funds. As per the guidelines of GLXP, of the total money that needed to be raised, a maximum of 10% could be raised from the government.

It was reported in October that TeamIndus was scouting for funds. "The total budget of the moon mission is about Rs 450 crore, out of which we have raised more than half (Rs 225 crore) and have spent. We're trying to accumulate the rest through sponsors and others interested in this mission," Team Indus Fleet Commander Rahul Narayan was quoted as saying.

Then were issues with procuring hardware. As per the Ken report, While a lot of critical hardware didn’t arrive for testing until late last year, some of them still haven’t arrived.

Management issues were an other reason. Ken reports that there were steady exits from the startup as salaries and payments became erratic. “The leadership team disintegrated on the issues of PR [public relations], funding and lack of technological progress,” Ken quotes a source as saying.

When contacted by The News Minute, TeamIndus declined to comment, neither confirming or declining the news.

Interestingly, TeamIndus had tied up with another GLXP finalist Team Hakuto from Japan to transport Hakuto’s rover as well as its own to the moon using its own spacecraft. What happens to this collaboration now is unknown.

However, its not just TeamIndus that is struggling. According to a report by Space.com, the team from Israel ‘SpaceII’ too, needed to raise $7.5 million by December 20, failing which, it would have to drop out of the challenge.

It now remains to be seen if failing to launch a moon mission as part of GLXP will mean the end of the road for TeamIndus, or the startup can salvage something to stay put and commercialize in the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ashwin
End of Team Indus Mission Moon? Contract with ISRO cancelled: Report
Lack of funding, lack of technological progress and managerial issues led to the downfall of the much-hyped Mission Moon, reports The Ken.


TeamIndus%20Moon%20Mission%20750x500_0.jpg


The much-hyped and much-talked about Bengaluru-based space tech startup TeamIndus, which was launching a mission to the moon in pursuit of the $30-million Google Lunar XPRIZE, seems to have hit a major roadblock. According to a report by The Ken, the launch contract that TeamIndus signed with Antrix Corporation, which the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in December 2016, has been cancelled.

Team Indus was the only Indian team among the five finalists competing for the $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE and the deadline for the completion of the lunar mission is March 31, 2018.

Ken reports that with the contract for a chartered launch on ISRO’s rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), being called off, ‘it’s virtually impossible for TeamIndus to secure another contract on any other rocket and launch before the deadline’.

This means that it is an end to the startup’s pursuit of the GLXP.

One of the main reasons for the downfall of TeamIndus pursuit has been a lack of funds. As per the guidelines of GLXP, of the total money that needed to be raised, a maximum of 10% could be raised from the government.

It was reported in October that TeamIndus was scouting for funds. "The total budget of the moon mission is about Rs 450 crore, out of which we have raised more than half (Rs 225 crore) and have spent. We're trying to accumulate the rest through sponsors and others interested in this mission," Team Indus Fleet Commander Rahul Narayan was quoted as saying.

Then were issues with procuring hardware. As per the Ken report, While a lot of critical hardware didn’t arrive for testing until late last year, some of them still haven’t arrived.

Management issues were an other reason. Ken reports that there were steady exits from the startup as salaries and payments became erratic. “The leadership team disintegrated on the issues of PR [public relations], funding and lack of technological progress,” Ken quotes a source as saying.

When contacted by The News Minute, TeamIndus declined to comment, neither confirming or declining the news.

Interestingly, TeamIndus had tied up with another GLXP finalist Team Hakuto from Japan to transport Hakuto’s rover as well as its own to the moon using its own spacecraft. What happens to this collaboration now is unknown.

However, its not just TeamIndus that is struggling. According to a report by Space.com, the team from Israel ‘SpaceII’ too, needed to raise $7.5 million by December 20, failing which, it would have to drop out of the challenge.

It now remains to be seen if failing to launch a moon mission as part of GLXP will mean the end of the road for TeamIndus, or the startup can salvage something to stay put and commercialize in the future.

WHAT THE HELL? I WAS WAITING FOR THIS LAUNCH!!!
 
  • Agree
Reactions: GuardianRED
Team Indus is pulling out due to lack of funds.

This project has become a great prestige symbol for India. Plus, winning the Lunar X Prize will add to ISRO's future business. I think ISRO should step in with the cash. Members please give your opinions.

TeamIndus, The First Indian Space Start-Up, Drops Out Of Moon Race


From above article.

One of the main reasons for the downfall of TeamIndus pursuit has been a lack of funds. As per the guidelines of GLXP, of the total money that needed to be raised, a maximum of 10% could be raised from the government.
 
From above article.

One of the main reasons for the downfall of TeamIndus pursuit has been a lack of funds. As per the guidelines of GLXP, of the total money that needed to be raised, a maximum of 10% could be raised from the government.

yes but current stop is because they were not able to pay installments for ISRO. I think the prestige they will get by finishing this project will more than compensate with publicity earned- 3 rovers in 2 months man! (incl CY 2)
 
ISRO to put its 100th satellite into orbit on January 12

1504205287-gettyimages-506157606.jpg


The 100th satellite produced by the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Satellite Centre will be put into orbit aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), scheduled for launch on January 12.

Director of the Centre M Annadurai said that a total of 31 satellites will be launched via the PSLV. "We will have different families of satellites - such as microsats and nanosats - put into orbit. Of the 31 satellites, 28 are from foreign nations and three are from India," he said.

On the failure of the recent launch, he said that scientists at ISRO have understood the problem and have done repeated testing to ensure that the problem does not repeat in the near future.

According to a release by the ISRO, PSLV - which is in its forty-second flight - will launch the 710 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for earth observation and 30 co-passenger satellites which have a combined weight of 613 kgs. The launch will be from Satish Dhawam Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Apart from Cartosat-2, the payload will consist of one microsatellite and one nanosatellite from India, and three micro and 25 nanosatellites from six countries — Canada, Finland, France, Republic of Korea, UK and USA.

Annadurai said that Chandrayaan-2 was in its final stages of testing and integration and is expected to be launched in March this year. On Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), he said that following the failure of IRNSS-1H last August, IRNSS-1I will be put into space. Full integration of the satellite is being done by private industry in collaboration with ISRO, he added.

ISRO to put its 100th satellite into orbit on January 12
 
  • Like
Reactions: Guynextdoor
  • Like
Reactions: Levina
ISRO's mission, the first carried out by the space agency this year, comes four months after it failed to launch IRNSS-1H onboard PSLV-39.

1515742350781.png


The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C40), carrying weather observation satellite Cartosat-2 series and 29 other satellites, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission, the first carried out by the space agency this year, comes four months after it failed to launch IRNSS-1H onboard PSLV-39.

Announcing the success of the launch, outgoing ISRO chief A S Kiran Kumar dedicated it as a new year’s gift to the country. This is his final mission as chief of the agency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists at ISRO for the success, and added that it signifies the bright future for India’s space programme. “This success in the New Year will bring benefits of the country’s rapid strides in space technology to our citizens, farmers, fishermen etc. The launch of the 100th satellite by @isro signifies both its glorious achievements, and also the bright future of India’s space programme,” Modi tweeted. “Benefits of India’s success are available to our partners! Out of the 31 Satellites, 28 belonging to 6 other countries are carried by today’s launch,” he added.

Follow LIVE UPDATES on ISRO’s satellite launch here

The co-passengers on the PSLV-C40 comprised one micro and nano satellite each from India and three micro and 25 nanosatellites from six countries — Canada, Finland, France, Korea, UK and US.

President Ram Nath Kovind hailed the team of “exceptional scientists” at ISRO, calling the launch a moment of pride for every Indian and a milestone for the country. Meanwhile, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu took to Twitter to congratulate the ISRO team as well.

ISRO chief designate K Sivan, who will take over from Kumar today, credited ISRO’s scientists across the country for their innovation in making the launch of PSLV-C40 a success. “This success is a green flag for our other missions in 2018. I am sure that the ISRO community will rise to the occassion and meet expectations,” he said. Sivan, the brain behind India’s PSLV project, has worked on its since 1982.

A string of reactions and congratulatory messages came from political leaders as well. BJP president Amit Shah said the launch takes India “far ahead in space research and technology,” while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said ISRO has achieved a great feat and made the country proud. Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The scientists at ISRO have made the nation proud with their successes on several occasions. They have done it again by hitting a century,” he tweeted.

The weather observation Cartosat-2 series satellite will provide high-resolution scene specific spot imageries. The images will be used for cartographic applications, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation, road network monitoring, water distribution, creation of land use maps among other things.
 
As ISRO creates history, Pakistan raises objections over the launch of 100th satellite
Friday, January 12, 2018
By: Times Now News

Source Link: CLICK HERE

Ahead of the historic launch of the 100th satellite by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Pakistan raised objections over the launch of the satellite, claiming that its dual nature, both military and civilian, could pose a "negative impact on the regional strategic stability".

Addressing reporters, spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Dr Mohammad Faisal stated that since all space technologies are "inherently dual use" and hence could be employed for military purposes as well, the Times of India reported.

"According to media reports, India is set to launch 31 satellites including the earth observation spacecraft Cartosat, on 12th January 2018. All space technologies, including earth observation satellites, are inherently dual use and can be employed for both civilian and military purposes," Faisal said.

He further said that the dual nature of the satellite could result in a a build-up of destabilizing military capabilities", the daily reported.
He reportedly added, "All states have a legitimate right to pursue peaceful uses of space technologies. However, given the dual-use nature of such technologies, it is essential that such pursuits are not directed towards a build-up of destabilizing military capabilities, which can negatively impact the regional strategic stability."

The Indian Space Research Organisation launched its first satellite of 2018, the PSLV-C40 carrying Cartosat-2 series satellite on Friday.

As ISRO creates history, Pakistan raises objections over the launch of 100th satellite

:LOL::LOL::LOL::ROFLMAO:
 
NASA Shows Interest in 'Made in India' Tech for Spacecrafts
A new thermal spray coating technology used for gas turbine engine in spacecrafts developed by a Rajasthan-based researcher has caught the attention of a NASA scientist, an official said.

Expressing his interest in the research, James L Smialek, a scientist from NASA wrote to Dr Satish Tailor after it was published in the journal Ceramics International and Thermal Spray Bulletin, said SC Modi, the chairman of a Jodhpur-based Metallizing Equipment Company (MEC).

While working at MEC as a chief scientist, Research and Development, (R&D), Dr Tailor developed the controlled segmented Yttria Stabilised Zirconia (YSZ)-Plasma sprayed coating technology, which according to him could reduce the thermal spray coating cost by almost 50 per cent.

"In simple language, vertical cracks (segmentation) in the coating are beneficial for gas turbine engine application used in spacecrafts," Dr Tailor said.

"At present, researchers are developing such cracks through very expensive processes (in several crore) and cracks are generated during the coating deposition process, and crack generation is not controllable," he told PTI.

He said he has shared his research papers with the NASA scientist who had written him an email regarding this. Scientists working at the country's leading research organisations - the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO)- are equally impressed with the new technology.

Dr RM Mohanty, the chief scientist at the CSIR headquarters in New Delhi, said that indeed the outcome of the reported R&D presents an inexpensive solution for superior survival of current YSZ thermal barrier coatings produced by atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) technique, and has a potential of wider industrial/strategic acceptability.

Mohanty said this novel APS linked process has an advantage over current, costly techniques such as SPS or EB-PVD deposited coatings which came into picture gradually, as the reported advantage in the research was not possible with convectional APS techniques.

He said the innovators shouldpatent the process/equipment or both internationally for bringing benefits to the APS based business.

Another scientist at the DRDO, Dr RK Satpathy said the generation of vertical cracks holds great promise, if the research process can be industrially adopted in making a strain tolerant coating then it will definitely be more economical compared to its expensive counterparts techniques. Dr Tailor is the deputy editor-in-chief of the Journal of Materials Science and Surface Engineering, and chief editor of the Journal of Thermal Spray and Engineering.

He is associated with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Russia as a visiting young scientist. Hailing from Jaipur, Dr Tailor completed his PhD in metallurgical engineering with specialisation in plasma spray coatings from the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur.

He has published over 25 national and international research papers in reputed journals on thermal spray technology.
NASA Shows Interest in 'Made in India' Tech for Spacecrafts
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shashank
NASA-ISRO Satellite’s Antenna Reflector Passes CDR

NISAR-900x506.jpg


Northrop Grumman’s Astro Aerospace has successfully completed a Critical Design Review (CDR) of the AstroMesh radar antenna reflector for the NASA–Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite. NISAR will make global integrated measurements, providing a detailed view of Earth. The radar imaging satellite will use dual L-band and S-band frequencies to measure the causes and consequences of land surface changes. Post CDR, the program will move into the “build” phase of the AstroMesh radar antenna reflector in preparation for the scheduled 2021 launch date. Northrop Grumman will use its proprietary AstroMesh deployable mesh reflector for NISAR’s large aperture antenna, building an ultralight and extremely stiff reflector suited for high frequency communications and radar applications. The data collected by the NISAR satellite will provide information to better manage resources and global change. NISAR is a partnership between NASA and the ISRO. NASA’s contribution to NISAR is being managed and implemented by the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

**** .Read more at India No 1 Defence News Website NASA-ISRO Satellite’s Antenna Reflector Passes CDR - Indian Defence Research Wing .
 
  • Like
Reactions: ni8mare