SSLV from ISRO ..... first launch expected next year ........ credits to @Indranil of BRF
The Witch’s Broom in the sky
The technology transfer will enable BHEL to produce space grade Li-Ion cells to meet the country's space programme requirements.
BHEL to make space grade cells for ISRO
IANS|
Mar 23, 2018, 01.47 PM IST
BENGALURU: State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHELBSE -0.31 %) would make space grade lithium-ion (Li-Ion) cells for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under technology transfer, the space agency said on Friday.
"We have entered into a technology transfer agreement with BHEL to make space grade Li-Ion cells," it said in a statement here.
The agreement was signed on Thursday in the presence of ISRO Chairman K. Sivan and BHEL Managing Director Atul Sobti at the
at the space agency headquarters here.
"The Li-Ion batteries are used as power sources for our satellite and launch vehicle applications due to their high energy density, reliability and long cycle life," noted the statement.
The ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has developed the technology to produce space grade Li-Ion cells, demonstrated its performance under testing conditions and established its cycle life characteristics in accelerated mode.
The cells are being used for various satellite and launch vehicle applications.
Isro tests Payload based on Origami, the Japanese paper-folding art
First payload operation on Jan 16 was successful, is providing excellent images. Data is useful for topographical mapping, vegetation monitoring, aerosol scattering
T E Narasimhan | Chennai Last Updated at March 21, 2018 01:05 IST
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has tested the Indigenously Developed Metal-based Origami Payload in Indian Nano Satellite-1C (INS-1C).
INS-1C is an experimental satellite launched by PSLV-C40 on January 12, 2018 as a co-passenger payload. It is the third vehicle in the Indian Nano Satellite (INS) series.
The first two satellites, INS-1A and INS-1B, of this series were carried as co-passenger payloads by PSLV-C37 in February 2017. INS-1C carries Miniature Multi-spectral Technology Demonstration (MMX-TD) Payload from the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Isro Ahmedabad.
Compact imaging systems with reduced weight and size offer tremendous opportunities for their use in space-borne micro/nano satellites and planetary missions where size and weight are at a premium. Although miniature cameras such as those found in cell-phones are now available commonly, their resolution and light collection are poor compared with their full size counterparts. The Robust Technology Development Programme of SAC/Isro has developed an innovative satellite payload using the concept of Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper.
The Isro Nano Satellite (INS-1C) payload team has used the concept of multi-fold reflective optics to design imagers of significantly reduced thickness compared with conventional refractive cameras. This multi-fold optical configuration is known as Origami optics.
Reflective optics is based on the use of metal mirrors, instead of the usual glass-based Origami lens.
This makes the camera potentially much more versatile in terms of spectral coverage. The mirrors and the optical assembly were developed indigenously. The optics is fabricated using single-point diamond turning machine with a fast-tool servo.
Utilising the capability of the optics, a compact MMX-TD payload was configured for the INS-1C nanosatellite. The camera provides RGB snaps of 29 km x 29 km area with 23 m ground sampling from polar sun-synchronous orbit of 505 km altitude.
The first payload operation was carried out successfully on January 16, 2018 and the payload is providing excellent images since. Data sent by this camera is useful for topographical mapping, vegetation monitoring, aerosol scattering studies and cloud studies, said Isro.
First Published: Wed, March 21 2018. 01:05 IST
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Isro defers Chandrayaan-2 launch
E T B Sivapriyan, DH News Service, Chennai, Mar 23 2018, 18:17 IST
In picture: ISRO logo. File photo for representation.
Isro has postponed the launch of the Chandrayaan-2, the country's second mission to the moon, to October this year after experts suggested more tests during a review of the ambitious mission.
"Initially, we had planned an April launch for Chandrayaan-2, but in the review meeting held a few days ago with experts from the across the country, it was decided that more tests are needed before the mission is launched. Hence, the mission cannot be launched in April. We have fixed the launch for October," Isro chief K Sivan told reporters at the Chennai Airport on Friday.
The Chandrayaan-2 satellite would comprise an orbiter, lander and six-wheeled rover which would move around the landing site and instruments on it would send back data that would be useful in analysing the lunar soil.
After reaching the lunar orbit, the Lander housing the rover will separate from the orbiter. After a controlled descent, the lander will soft land on the lunar surface at a specified site and deploy the rover. India launched its first unmanned moon mission in October 2008.
The Isro chief also said communication satellite GSAT-6 on-board GSLV-F08 will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, 105 km from here, on March 29. The satellite will be launched at 4.56 pm on Thursday next.
The GSAT-6, which will have a lifespan of nearly 10 years, will be put into orbit by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08), Isro said, adding that the latest satellite will be similar to GSAT-6.
The new satellite would provide a platform for developing technologies like demonstration of 6m S-Band Unfurlable Antenna, hand-held ground terminals and network management techniques. These are useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications.
GSLV-F08/GSAT-6A Mission
GSLV-F08 is the 12th flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and Sixth flight with indigenous Cryogenic Stage. The Launch of GSLV-F08 carrying GSAT-6A is planned from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) in Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota
GSLV -F08 / GSAT-6A Mission is scheduled to be launched on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 16:56 Hrs (IST).