ISRO General News and Updates

[Indx TechStyle]

Govt sanctions CISF cover to GRSE Kolkata, Kerala ISRO college

The Union Home Ministry has approved deployment of a heavy contingent of over 400 CISF commandos to secure a strategically important Kolkata-based warship building facility catering to the combat requirements of the Navy and the Coast Guard.

The multi-acre facility of the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) is located right on the banks of the Hooghly river in the West Bengal capital.
Intelligence reports have suggested a potential security threat to the facility, especially after a temporary employee of the company was arrested last year by the Kolkata police's STF for being part of a suspected ISI ring.

Official sources said an armed contingent drawn from the paramilitary will soon take charge at the facility on a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) pattern with AK assault rifles-toting commandos securing the facility round-the-clock and supervising access and exit in the facility.

The GRSE has already created infrastructure like armoury, jawan barracks and control room for the CISF squad that will be headed by a senior Commandant-rank officer.

They said a meeting of central security agencies was recently convened after which the Home Ministry also decided to deploy 100 CISF personnel to guard the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in the Valiamala area of Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.

The premier institute, which functions under the sensitive Department of Space, has also been found to be facing similar threat. Some of the first brains of the country undertake higher studies in space technology and application at IIST, many of whom subsequently join as scientists at the premier Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Sources said effectively securing the facility was important as it is adjacent to the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, a research and development wing under the ISRO.

"The facilities for facilitating the CISF squad are being created at the IIST. Pre-induction formalities are on," they said.
The GRSE in Kolkata has till now built about 100 warships for various roles rendered by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard ranging from frigates, corvettes to fast patrol boats.

The facility, under the administrative control of the Defence Ministry, has been entrusted with building four Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes (ASWCs) for the Navy, of which the first 'INS Kamorta' was commissioned in 2014 by the then Defence Minister Arun Jaitley.

The 'Mini Ratna' company is one of the important firms involved in creating strategically important vessels for the Navy and is also at the forefront of the defence-related 'Make in India' campaign.

GRSE has both wet and dry docks for ship building and trial purposes which open on the river front.
The Special Task Force of the Kolkata Police had busted a suspected ISI module in the city last year and arrested few people including a temporary GRSE employee after pictures of the facility and vessels being constructed there were recovered from their possession.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Live Telecast of PSLV-C33/IRNSS-1G Mission Launch - ISRO

 

[Indx TechStyle]

How NHAI is planning the road ahead with remote help from ISRO

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To start off, the NHAI will initiate a couple of pilot projects with both the organisations to identify and finalise actual use and benefits of both satellite data and spatial technology and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology in highway and infrastructure sector.

The highways sector is progressively looking skywards for solutions. After its bid to tap the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) famed frugal engineering skills to develop a battery prototype than can be retro-fitted into old diesel vehicles for delivering motive power, the roads ministry had reached out to the ISRO again to deploy spatial technology for monitoring and managing national highways.

A collaborative venture involving the satellite data and geospatial technology of the National Remote Sensing Centre (under the ISRO) and assistance from the North East Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR) is to be leveraged by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in preparing detailed project reports of highway and infrastructure projects, determining pre-feasibility status in new road alignments, widening roads, monitoring road segments under construction and road asset management. A pact with ISRO is on the anvil.

To start off, the NHAI will initiate a couple of pilot projects with both the organisations to identify and finalise actual use and benefits of both satellite data and spatial technology and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology in highway and infrastructure sector. “A round-the-clock technical cell would also be set up to provide project-specific data using the technology to project report consultants, engineers, staff and users,” an official overseeing the exercise said.

The use of ISRO-aided satellites and drones to monitor the highways construction programme is aimed at fast-tracking building of roads in the country and oversee the tree plantation drive. Eventually, a Road Asset Management System (RAMS) is likely to be developed for all National Highways in the country and a modern management system that will use ISRO’s GAGAN (GPS aided Geo Augmented Navigation) satellite system and BHUVAN geographic information system (GIS) application to prepare a 360-degree mapping of road assets is being readied. “This will greatly facilitate timely repair of roads, formulation of Detailed Project Reports and such other works,” the official said.

The RAMS is being developed for the entire National Highways network in India for both public funded and private funded roads. The outcome of this project, which is funded by the World Bank, will assist in the accurate and scientific planning and finalising of road projects, maintenance of roads, executing road safety measures and development of the National Highways network in India. Officials indicated that the RAMS software has functionality to interface with the indigenous Bhuvan satellite images.

The data collected will be stored and managed through a web-based application, which will be hosted in the public domain. Information collected from this project will be offered for use by the road transport ministry, state PWDs, police departments, funding agencies and private developers, they indicated.

Electrical battery packs

On the proposal for the development of batteries with the assistance of ISRO, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, who has had at least two meetings with scientists from the space agency on the issue, is learnt to have specifically asked them to develop lithium-ion batteries that can be used in 10-year old diesel cars.

ISRO’s recent Mars mission had a price tag of about $74 million, a fraction of the $671-million cost of NASA’s latest Mars programme. The request to the ISRO for help with low-cost batteries comes at a time when most cities in India find a place in the list of the most polluted urban habitations in the world.

Vehicular pollution in Delhi has reached record levels, with respirable suspended particulate matter at 316 micrograms per cubic metre pegged at almost 16 times of what is normal, which prompted the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in April 2015 to ban 10-year old diesel vehicles from plying in the national capital.

Technically, almost any vehicle — petrol driven or ones with diesel engines — can be converted to electric. There are numerous options for the battery pack, which provides a source of electrical power, with the most commonly available and affordable batteries being the lead-acid flooded type.

Then there are the AGM (Absorption Glass Mat) sealed maintenance free batteries that are a little more powerful and expensive. Batteries such as the Li-ion ones, while being lighter and long lasting, are more expensive.

The conversion requires the mounting of a charger, which restores energy to the batteries, a power controller that regulates the flow of energy between the battery and the electric motor, controlled by an electronic throttle.
One or more electric motors and their mechanical attachment to the driveline can also to be added.

Globally, there are several instances of such conversions. Epic Car Conversions, a Toronto-based design firm, engineers electric drive systems used for converting gasoline cars into 100 per cent electric vehicles. Models include the 1969-1976 Porsche 914, one of the more successful sports car conversions that boasts of better performance in range, acceleration and top speed than most other vehicles.

A number of manufacturers of conversion kits have made a kit specific to the 914. A 1983 Mitsubishi Starion is reported to have been converted to all-electric in 2009 by Carmel Morris and Nathan Bolton in Australia with a battery pack consisting of 45×3.2 volt nominal lithium ion batteries.

In India, Mumbai-based firm EVI claims to have developed an easy installation and reliable line of powertrains ranging from 8kw up to 90kw nominal power, suitable for both automotive and marine applications. The EVI conversion combines motors with an integrated inverter, control electronics and software, with no separate large, heavy and costly inverter needed, according to the company.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

MoU Between Railways and ISRO

Railways have recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for developing applications in the field of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System.

The aims and objectives of the MoU is to develop applications and services in tune with the requirements of Indian Railways such as:- i) Develop an advance warning system at Unmanned Railway Crossings for road users. ii) Mapping of Indian Railway assets through Geospatial technology. iii) Develop paperless unreserved ticketing solution based on geo-fencing of station area. iv)Developing Real Time Train Information System by using Communication Satellite Services. v) Setting up of BHUVAN node in Indian Railways to internalize the use of BHUVAN geospatial solutions by Railways. vi) Meet Indian Railways satellite based communication requirements. vii) The MoU has been signed on March 17th, 2016 and has come into force.

For services being currently provided by BHUVAN or envisaged in future for Government of India, no charges shall be levied. For communication services, satellite assisted Navigation etc. charges would be applicable as per mutual agreement and based on pricing policies of the Government.

A project called Real-time Train Information System (RTIS) to track trains on real time basis alongwith dissemination of train running information to rail users has been sanctioned.

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[Indx TechStyle]

Make your own IRNSS - 1G Model

Related Images​

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Courtesy: ISRO - Government of India

 

[Indx TechStyle]

IRNSS- 1G Update
Countdown operations are progressing normally. Preparations for Mobile Service Tower (MST) withdrawal and Propellant filling operation of second stage (PS2) are in progress.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Stephen Hawking's Space Exploration Program wants India's Participation

Yuri Milner (L) and Stephen Hawking (R) host press conference to announce Breakthrough Starshot, a new space exploration initiative, at One World Observatory on April 12, 2016, in New York City. (Getty Images - File
Photo)

The executive director of Breakthrough StarShot wants India’s participation.

The space exploration program --Breakthrough StarShot -- announced on April 12, 2016, that has world famous cosmologist Stephen hawking, billionaire venture capitalist Yuri Milner and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerbergteaming up, has announced that that they are looking for India’s participation.

"For Breakthrough StarShot, our interstellar probe initiative, we note that India is a leader in space exploration, especially with the recent Mars Orbiter Mission. We hope to explore the possibility of working closely with the Indian Space Research Organisation on our StarShot program," said the executive director of the program and former director of Nasa's Ames Research Centre, Pete Worden in an interview with Times of India.

If successful, the project will see thousands of light-propelled vehicles called nanocraft, moving at 20 percent of the speed of light to Alpha Centauri (the closest star system from ours).

To put things into perspective, an eight or nine-month voyage to Mars, will be covered in just 30 minutes by nanocraft. If that's not amazing enough, the standard 10-year long Pluto journey will be cut to 72 hours.

"We are indeed very interested in working closely with both experts and the public in India. Indeed, last August, I visited the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru and spoke with the scientists there about our projects. We plan a return visit to India in the next few months for more discussions. There are a number of areas we hope to involve Indian participation. India is a global leader in information technology and processing," said Worden.
Even though this all seems every intriguing, the technology should take a couple of years to develop and once completed scientists estimate that the ‘nanocrafts’ will take about 20 years to reach their destination.

 

[Gessler]

A video from August last year about all the materials & technologies developed/in-development at that time, during the 31st Prof. Brahm Prakash Memorial Lecture. Published on Indian Institute of Science website - main presentation starts at 11mins.


All slides from presentation available here : https://imgur.com/a/BXfds/all

Some interesting ones;

SCE-200 Semi-Cryo Engine

PSLV Materials

...and what appears to be a proposed combination for GSLV Mk-IV...upto 9 tons to GTO

Thanks to ohsin at the NASASpaceFlight Forum for the slides!

@Indx TechStyle @Illusive @PARIKRAMA

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Countdown to Launch of Isro's Navigation Satellite Progressing Smoothly

The 51 hour, 30 minute countdown for the launch of an Indian rocket with the country's seventh navigation satellite scheduled for Thursday is proceeding normally, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said on Wednesday.
According to the Isro, the progressing status of the countdown for the launch of 44.4 metre, 320 tonne Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carrying Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-IRNSS-1G is expected to blast off at 12:50pm on Thursday.

Just over 20 minutes into the flight, the rocket is expected to put into orbit the 1,425-kg IRNSS-1G satellite at an altitude of 497.8km.

The PSLV rocket is a four stage/engine rocket powered by solid and liquid fuel

alternatively.

The satellite with a design life span of 12 years has two payloads for navigation and ranging.

The navigation payload of IRNSS-1G will transmit navigation service signals to the users. This payload will be operating in L5-band and S-band. A highly accurate rubidium atomic clock is part of the navigation payload of the satellite.

The ranging payload of IRNSS-1G consists of a C-band transponder (automatic receivers and transmitters of radio signals) which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite.

According to Isro the applications of IRNSS are: terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, vehicle tracking and fleet management, terrestrial navigation for hikers and travellers, disaster management, integration with mobile phones, mapping and geodetic data capture and visual and voice navigation for drivers.
Apart from the civilian usage, the IRNSS will be used for defence purposes as well.

Till date, India has launched six regional navigational satellites (IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, ID,1E and 1F) as part of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km.

Though the full system comprises nine satellites - seven in orbit and two on the ground as stand-by, the navigation services could be made operational with four satellites, Isro officials had said earlier.

Each satellite costs about Rs. 150 crores and the PSLV-XL version rocket costs about Rs. 130 crores. The seven rockets would entail an outlay of about Rs. 910 crores.

If everything goes successful then the entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites will be completed on Thursday.

The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the second IRNSS-1B in April 2014, the third on October 2014, the fourth in March 2015, and the fifth and sixth on January 20 and March 10, 2016.
Once the regional navigation system is in place, India need not be dependent on other platforms.

According to Isro, with the operationalisation of six IRNSS satellites, the proof of concept of an independent regional navigation satellite system over India has been demonstrated for the targeted position accuracy of better than 20 metres over 24 hours of the day.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

...and what appears to be a proposed combination for GSLV Mk-IV...upto 9 tons to GTO

Thanks to ohsin at the NASASpaceFlight Forum for the slides!

@Indx TechStyle @Illusive @PARIKRAMA

Absolutely misleading.
1. There is nothing like GSLV Mk4.
It can lift upto 5 tonnes to GTO and 10 tonnes LEO. Next family is ULV (more efficient) to replace entire family and it's largest rocket will be lifting 6-6.5 tonnes to GTO and 15 tonnes to LEO.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Launch_Vehicle
2.Capacity of given rocket is told to be around 9 tonnes to GTO which is a Heavy Lift Cargo Rocket.
But we know GSLV family will have no Cargo Rocket.
Because Cargo Rockets are from a different family called HLV with around 10 tonnes to GTO and 20-25 tonnes to LEO.
http://www.vssc.gov.in/VSSC_V4/index.php/technology/heavy-lift-launch-vehicles
(Not to be confused with 100 tonnes capacity HLV(moon rocket). That's a different thing.
http://indianspaceweb.blogspot.in/2010/02/indian-lunar-rockets.html?m=1
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_launch_system_designs
3. Some friends believe that adding two more boosters to GSLV Mk3 will make it more powerful.

This image is utter bull$h1t.
:
Adding two boosters doesn't increase capacity. You have to work on Geometry.

ULVs.
Don't expect any HLV before Human Spaceflight. Because it's mainly for cargo. Even if it was developed before, it will be kept in archives till we send humans in space. unmanned Missions can be carried out by Current systems too. HLV is for Cargo and Space station.

Here's that,
Concept 1: 10 tonnes to GTO, 25 tonnes to LEO

Concept 2: 31 tonnes to LEO
Concept 3: 67 tonnes to LEO
(Probably moon mission)

Concept 4: 100 tonnes to LEO
(Will kill concepts 2 and 3 feasible)

Ask for more information. I'm watching launch of PSLV live on TV.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

IRNSS -1G successfully placed in orbit.

Source: My Ears and eyes watching DD National.

@Cadian @Blackwater @garg_bharat @Navnit Kundu
Our own regional GPS complete.
Next target must be global.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

@pmaitra @LETHALFORCE @Kunal Biswas @sayareakd @cobra commando
Few minutes ago, India has joined club of US, Russia, EU and PRC to have own navigation system.
PM Modi is lauding scientists success on TV.
Armed forces will get better, accurate and own navigation system for them, same goes for civilian.

I will post about methods or applications and devices to use IRNSS as soon as possible.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

@Zebra @Kshatriya87 @Bornubus @indiatester @salute
Breaking News:
Modi renamed IRNSS as "Navik" Navigation System.
Source: Again DD National


Modi always surprises in a minute.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

@roma @Gessler @Superdefender @rock127 @rockey 71

 

[Navnit Kundu]

@pmaitra @LETHALFORCE @Kunal Biswas @sayareakd @cobra commando
Few minutes ago, India has joined club of US, Russia, EU and PRC to have own navigation system.
PM Modi is lauding scientists success on TV.
Armed forces will get better, accurate and own navigation system for them, same goes for civilian.

I will post about methods or applications and devices to use IRNSS as soon as possible.

I think the resolution has been improved from 0.8 m to 0.65 m, that's all I know.

Can you give some quick pointers? how many satellites in the constellation? how many dedicated satellites for military use? what is the breakup of military satellites into its constituent departments (army, navy, airforce)? I believe navy already had its own dedicated satellite which was a separate project? will this Navik constellation offer commercial bandwidth to desi navigation consumer products in India, and in neighboring countries? details, details!

 

[Indx TechStyle]

I think the resolution has been improved from 0.8 m to 0.65 m, that's all I know.

Yep, ISRO is working on two more next generation satellites for better navigation.

Can you give some quick pointers? how many satellites in the constellation?

7,
May be increased to 9 very soon.
A global system will be created in due course of time.

how many dedicated satellites for military use?

All, both for military and civilian.
No satellite works individually, they work like a hockey team.

what is the breakup of military satellites into its constituent departments (army, navy, airforce)?

All,
For aircrafts,
For warships,
For police
For RAW(intelligence)
For BSF
For Army
All for all

I believe navy already had its own dedicated satellite which was a separate project?

This constellation is much larger than a single satellite.
It will make us independent of GPS in Indian Ocean Region and will help to control missiles better.
Submarine navigation to take out enemies and second strike capabilities are key advantages.

will this Navik constellation offer commercial bandwidth to desi navigation consumer products in India, and in neighboring countries?

Yes, whoever wants we will give it.
But in wartime, this system will only work for India and not any other country.
Just like US, Russia, China and EU, we can off our system and deprive rebellion countries from navigation with no explanation.

details, details!

Pinaka 2(not to be confused with Mk2) artillery system will use IRNSS to have 100km range..
I will post further info but first let me post pics.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Official confirmation:
PSLV-C33 successfully launches IRNSS-1G
Now, Our Navigation System Navik(formerly known as IRNSS) is ready.

 

[salute]

modi just named the system as navic,

honoring the ancient and historical navigation and exploration navik culture of india.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

In Media:
India's own GPS is ready with seventh navigation satellite launch

ISRO’s workhorse PSLV C33, carrying India's seventh navigation satellite IRNSS-1G, soars into the sky after its launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota near Chennai on Thursday. Photo: K. Pichumani | The Hindu

A view of the PSLV C33 at the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Tuesday. The 35th PSLV flight in the last two decades will deliver India its own navigation system. Photo: Special Arrangement
__________________________________________________
A regional navigation satellite system with just seven spacecraft and in civil domain is unique to India.

ISRO's PSLV-C33, carrying India's seventh navigation satellite IRNSS-1G, blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 12.50 p.m.on Thursday. The satellite was successfully placed in sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

The countdown for the launch of the 1,425-kg satellite began at 9.20 a.m. on Tuesday. The integration of the rocket on the launch pad and the propellant filling operations were taken up at different stages during the 51.30-hours countdown.

A regional navigation satellite system with just seven spacecraft and in civil domain is unique to India. The three global versions of other countries offer worldwide commercial coverage and are operated by their respective militaries.

IRNSS will be to the subcontinent what the GPS is to its users worldwide, but with far greater precision and in Indian control, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation. It is expected to provide position accuracy of better than 20 m over Indian region and also an area extending up to 1,500 sq. km around India.

The well-known GPS is owned by the U.S. Air Force; Russia has GLONASS and China is expanding its regional BeiDou into a global system, also operated by its military. Europe’s GALILEO is a civil global system. They each have between 28 and 35 satellites.

IRNSS will drive both everyday uses as a 24/7 standard service for air, sea, ship transport among others. It will also be used for military and missile-related applications as an encrypted and restricted service.

Over the next three to six months, all the IRNSS satellites would be stabilised as a constellation, their signals and performance verified and later put to use, an ISRO official had said.

The fleet has two spare satellites kept ready on ground to be flown in an emergency. A full-fledged ground control centre in Bengaluru and tracking stations across the country have been put in place.

The constellation has been in the making since July 2013 when IRNSS-1A, was launched. ISRO placed IRNSS-1E and IRNSS-1F in January and March this year, each with a designed life of 12 years.

They are identical, with each carrying a navigation payload and a ranging payload in different bands, according to ISRO.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO on Twitter:
From PMO (retweeted by ISRO):