ISRO General News and Updates

[Indx TechStyle]

Satish Dhawan Wind Tunnel Complex Commissioned at VSSC

In the quest to reduce the cost of access to space and to extend the frontiers of space exploration, ISRO has ventured into Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) and Re-entry missions, Air-breathing propulsion technology demonstration and Interplanetary missions. These missions encounter design criticalities at Hypersonic Mach number regime and need rigorous aero-thermodynamic characterisation at these Mach numbers. In order to cater to the above need, Industrial type Hypersonic Wind Tunnel and Shock Tunnel have been established at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

The first phase of the facility, commissioned in 2012, with Mach 6 system and Shock Tunnel, has been extensively utilised and tests are being carried out for the current programs of ISRO.

The second phase of Hypersonic Wind tunnel consists of the realisation of Mach 8, 10 and 12 nozzles, Heater-II system, Hot Shut-off Valves, Cooling system and associated subsystems. Realisation of these systems involved intricate design and analysis, high precision machining, heavy engineering hardware realisation, fabrication of high temperature performance materials, high temperature and high pressure valves realisation, development of state of the art Cored Bricks as heat storage media, realisation of massive 15-5 PH forgings and high temperature heating modules. Integration of these systems was carried out meticulously, performance assessment was made and trial runs were conducted to calibrate and validate the tunnel systems.

With capability up to Mach 12 operation, Hypersonic Wind Tunnel is the third largest in the world in terms of hypersonic flow simulation capability over a wide spectrum. The tunnel has the capability to simulate flow field conditions at Mach 6, 8, 10 and 12 of nominal nozzle exit diameter of 1 metre with Reynolds number ranging from 1 to 80 million per metre. The tunnel is pressure-vacuum driven with high pressure storage system of 300 bar and vacuum system of 10-2 mbar capacity. Regenerative storage heater system is used to preheat the compressed air up to 1550 K before it is expanded through the nozzle to Hypersonic Mach number. The state-of-the-art technology is used for data acquisition and control of the tunnel system. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based system works on Dual redundant Hot Standby concept and monitors more than 100 input parameters and controls more than 60 events. The shock tunnel uses combustion driver and has the capability to simulate free stream velocities up to 4.5 km/s and a maximum Reynolds number of 3.3 million per metre.

The realisation of the above facilities paved the way for the indigenous development of technologies, in the area of Cored Bricks, Hot Shut off Valves and massive 15-5 PH forgings. Hot Shut-off Valves, the most critical valve in the tunnel circuit with simultaneous application of high pressure and high temperature of 110 bar and 1550 K respectively, have been indigenously developed. High temperature Heater system demanded high purity Alumina Cored Bricks, of low dust characteristics and high temperature thermal shock resistance, as heat storage media. These were jointly developed by ISRO and Indian industries. Massive 15-5 PH forgings with integral flanges are realised for the high pressure shock tubes designed to withstand 1000 bar and associated fatigue cycles.

The major systems of the tunnel are designed to meet the requirement of five blow downs per day. It consists of 500 valves, 2 km pipelines, 40 numbers of electric motors and 35 fluid pumps. These facilities have been indigenously designed, developed and made with the support of Indian Industries.

This Integrated Hypersonic Wind Tunnels facility has been commissioned by Chairman, ISRO / Secretary, DOS, recently during March 2017. The entire complex, consisting one metre Hypersonic Wind Tunnel, one metre Shock Tunnel and Plasma Tunnel was named as “Satish Dhawan Wind Tunnel Complex” as a tribute to Prof. Satish Dhawan, who has made very significant contributions in the field of wind tunnels and aerodynamics.

1 m Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at VSSC

Commissioning of Integrated Hypersonic Wind Tunnels at Satish Dhawan Wind Tunnel Complex, VSSC
Story of the Week - Archive
Apr 17, 2017 : Satish Dhawan Wind Tunnel Complex Commissioned at VSSC
Apr 10, 2017 : ISRO Organises Smart India Hackathon-2017 Grand Finale
Apr 03, 2017 : ISRO signs Three MoUs with Government of Andhra Pradesh for use of Geo-spatial Technology
Mar 27, 2017 : Observation of Suprathermal Argon in Mars Exosphere
Mar 21, 2017 : ISRO Joins 36th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica
Mar 13, 2017 : CME Programme of DECU- A Social Research Perspective
Mar 06, 2017 : NARL Celebrates Silver Jubilee of Establishment of MST Radar

• 1 of 14
  
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[Indx TechStyle]

SCATSAT-1 Operational Products
Apr 19, 2017

SCATSAT-1 satellite carrying Ku-band Scatterometer was launched on September 26, 2016. This provides Back-Scattering coefficient (Sigma – 0) over whole globe and wind vector over ocean surface. This data is useful for various Atmospheric, Oceanographic as well as Land applications. ISRO is happy to announce the release of operational Sigma – 0 and Wind Products to all users from April 24, 2017 onwards. All old data sets (from October 12, 2016 to April 23, 2017) are planned to be reprocessed and will be made available shortly. These products will be available in 25 km and 50 km grids in HDF5 format.

For further details Click here
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[Indx TechStyle]

More Images...
PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1

• SCATSAT-1
• Post Launch Updates
  • SCATSAT-1 Operational Products
  • SCATSAT-1 Other Products
• PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1 Brochure
• PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1 Gallery
• PSLV-C35 Tracking Video
• PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1 Mission Curtain raiser Video
• PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1 Integration Video
• PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1 Mission

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

ISRO to increase frequency of launches to 12 per year
PTI | Apr 23, 2017, 02.02 PM IST
HIGHLIGHTS

• ISRO trying to increase its capacity to deliver by scaling up the frequency of launches by building more satellites.
• ISRO plans to undertake the Chandrayaan-2 mission in the first quarter of the next calendar year

ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar

HYDERABAD: The Indian Space Research Organisation is trying to increase its capacity to deliver by scaling up the frequency of launches to 12 per year from the seven at present by building more satellites and lowering the cost of access to space.

"Earlier, we were doing 2-3 (launches) per year, then we increased it to 4-5, last few years we have been doing seven launches," space agency Chairman AS Kiran Kumar told PTI.

"Now, we are trying to go up to 8-9 PSLV per year, two GSLV-Mk II and one GSLV-Mk III. Total about 12 per year," he said.

ISRO is trying to increase its capacity to deliver by scaling up the frequency of launches by building more satellites, lowering the cost of access to space and also to do heavier satellite launches, the Chairman said.

The space agency is in the process of constructing a second vehicle assembly building to improve the turnaround time and throughput for the PSLV so that with the same launch pad ISRO can do more launches, he said.

Kiran Kumar said approval for a proposal to build a space station was yet to come.

ISRO plans to undertake the Chandrayaan-2 mission in the first quarter of the next calendar year, he said.

"It (Chandrayaan-2) is a fully Indian affair. There is no Russian participation in that," Kiran Kumar said.

"All the developments required for that, all the variable thrust engines, lander, rover....all that work is going on and we are getting ready for this launch," he said.

"Another Mars mission, Venus mission or Asteroids mission...all these possibilities we are working on; study teams are looking at it, and then we will finalise at some point of time and start getting approvals for them," he said.

On reusable launch vehicle, he said ISRO has identified its next steps in terms of air-breathing propulsion system.
"We are now trying to do an experiment where it will demonstrate that the thrust generated is more than the friction so that you have a net positive thrust.
"What we have (already) demonstrated is combustion happening with oxygen and hydrogen. The next step is the thrust whatever is generated should be more than the friction that's going to come up because of the surfaces involved," Kiran Kumar explained.

"Once that is done, then it's a big capability. So we are working towards that now and in terms of reusable launch vehicle I think landing gear system to that and conducting some experiments that is the next step and beyond that we are looking to scale up the model and do the next set of activities," he said.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO to increase frequency of launches to 12 per year
PTI | Apr 23, 2017, 02.02 PM IST
HIGHLIGHTS

• ISRO trying to increase its capacity to deliver by scaling up the frequency of launches by building more satellites.
• ISRO plans to undertake the Chandrayaan-2 mission in the first quarter of the next calendar year

ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar

HYDERABAD: The Indian Space Research Organisation is trying to increase its capacity to deliver by scaling up the frequency of launches to 12 per year from the seven at present by building more satellites and lowering the cost of access to space.

"Earlier, we were doing 2-3 (launches) per year, then we increased it to 4-5, last few years we have been doing seven launches," space agency Chairman AS Kiran Kumar told PTI.

"Now, we are trying to go up to 8-9 PSLV per year, two GSLV-Mk II and one GSLV-Mk III. Total about 12 per year," he said.

ISRO is trying to increase its capacity to deliver by scaling up the frequency of launches by building more satellites, lowering the cost of access to space and also to do heavier satellite launches, the Chairman said.

The space agency is in the process of constructing a second vehicle assembly building to improve the turnaround time and throughput for the PSLV so that with the same launch pad ISRO can do more launches, he said.

Kiran Kumar said approval for a proposal to build a space station was yet to come.

ISRO plans to undertake the Chandrayaan-2 mission in the first quarter of the next calendar year, he said.

"It (Chandrayaan-2) is a fully Indian affair. There is no Russian participation in that," Kiran Kumar said.

"All the developments required for that, all the variable thrust engines, lander, rover....all that work is going on and we are getting ready for this launch," he said.

"Another Mars mission, Venus mission or Asteroids mission...all these possibilities we are working on; study teams are looking at it, and then we will finalise at some point of time and start getting approvals for them," he said.

On reusable launch vehicle, he said ISRO has identified its next steps in terms of air-breathing propulsion system.
"We are now trying to do an experiment where it will demonstrate that the thrust generated is more than the friction so that you have a net positive thrust.
"What we have (already) demonstrated is combustion happening with oxygen and hydrogen. The next step is the thrust whatever is generated should be more than the friction that's going to come up because of the surfaces involved," Kiran Kumar explained.

"Once that is done, then it's a big capability. So we are working towards that now and in terms of reusable launch vehicle I think landing gear system to that and conducting some experiments that is the next step and beyond that we are looking to scale up the model and do the next set of activities," he said.

The launch vehicle team & LPSC in last two months seemed to well positioned to conduct 2-3 additional launches but the prolonged delay by ISAC ruined the party!

 

[Trinetra]

Venus mission: Isro invites proposals for space experiments

HIGHLIGHTS

• The exploration of Venus began in the early 1960s.
• The focus of the Venus mission will be atmospheric and surface studies, Sun-Venus interaction, biology experiments and technology demonstration.

Residents waves a India National Flag at the launch of PSLV-C37, carrying CARTOSAT-2 along with 104 nano satel... Isro inviting proposals for space-based experiments from scientists across the country.

According to Isro, the payload capability of the Venus-bound satellite is expected to be 175 kg with 500W of power. The orbit will be 500 X 60,000km around Venus, which will gradually reduce over several months.

The focus of the mission will be atmospheric and surface studies, Sun-Venus interaction, biology experiments and technology demonstration. An Isro official told TOI that though it is an approved mission, the date of the launch is yet to be firmed up. The Indian mission to Venus has been listed as part of the department of space's demand for grants.

Explaining the importance of this flight, Isro said that Venus is described as the twin sister of the earth because of the similarities in size, mass, density, bulk composition and gravity. "It is believed that both planets were formed at the same time around 4.5 billion years ago," Isro stated.

According to Isro, the exploration of Venus began in the early 1960s with fly by and lander missions and atmospheric probes.

"In spite of great progress made in exploring Venus, there still exist gaps in our understanding about surface, sub-surface features and processes, and super rotation of the Venusian atmosphere, its evolution and interaction with solar radiation solar wind," Isro stated.

 

[A chauhan]

ISRO offers space tech to electric vehicle makers in India

Indian Space Research Organization could soon help Indian e-bikes overcome their biggest drawbacks — low mileage per charge and limited speed.

Costing between Rs 35,000-50,000, most of these bikes have a top speed of 25 km per hour and a range of 30 to 50 km per charge.

That could change soon, thanks to the incorporation of space technology from ISRO.

IT’S ALL IN THE BATTERY

The primary reason for the limited speed and range of electric two-wheelers in India is poor battery capacity.

Most of these bikes come with 1000 watt-hour batteries. That means the bike’s motor can consume 1,000 watts for one hour before the battery is completely drained.

However, to achieve a speed of 50-60 km/hour — which is required to flow along with petrol-fueled traffic — you need a motor that consumes about 1,650-2,500 watts — depending on the weight of the bike.

However, if the motor consumed 2.5 kW, the battery will be exhausted in 24 minutes. So even if you are traveling at 60 km per hour, you would have traveled only 24 km by the time the battery runs out.

In practice, due to braking, inclines and speed variations, the effective range will be about 20 km on highways, which is too less for most users.

As such, manufactures do not put 2.5 kW motors on such e-bikes.

Instead, they go with much smaller motors in the 250 to 500 watt range — which have only one-tenth to one-fifth of the required power need to travel at a speed of 60 km per hour.

While this helps in regulating power consumption and improving the range slightly, the maximum speed drops to 20-30 km per hour because of the weak motor.

BIGGER BATTERY

The obvious solution to this problem is to increase the battery capacity, but this creates a different problem.

With the widely used lead-acid batteries, each 50 watt-hour of battery capacity adds 1 kg to the weight of the battery.

So, if you want a 2,500 watt-hour battery which would power a 2,500 watt motor for 1 hour and give you a top-speed of 60 kmph and a range of 60 km, you end up with a battery that weighs 50 kg.

This is a significant problem for the industry as the electric scooter itself weighs only around 50 kg and putting a battery weighing 50 kg on such a vehicle creates various structural problems.

Besides, the speed and the range of the vehicle will be noticeably impacted by the weight of the battery.

ISRO TO THE RESCUE

This is where ISRO is pitching its in-house battery technology.

Since the weight of the battery has to be kept minimum for space applications such as rockets and satellites, India’s space agency has spent considerable amount of time thinking about ways to reduce the weight of power units.

It has developed its own light-weight batteries — based in lithium-ion technology — that deliver far more capacity compared to the lead-acid batteries in use today.

To demonstrate, the agency, along with Automobile Research Association of India, has created a test bike with a 2,400 watt-hour battery inside it.

While a lead-acid battery of this capacity would have weighed about 48 kg, ISRO uses lithium-ion technology to keep the weight down to about 12 kg.

The bike is powered by a motor of around 1,500 watts and can achieve top speed of 50 km per hour. Instead of the usual maximum range of 30-50 km per charge, the test vehicle delivers a range (mileage) of 98 km under optimum conditions.

Both the speed and the range can be improved with further optimization.

The closest competitor to the test vehicle is Hero MotorCorp’s Photon. It also comes with 1,500 watt motor, but can achieve a top speed of only 45 km/hour because of the heavy lead-acid battery inside it.

It is powered by a 1,584 watt-hour battery, which alone should weigh close to 32 kg, going by the traditional weight to capacity ratio.

Due to the heavy battery, the Photon travels only 31.57 meters for each watt-hour capacity contained in its battery. In comparison, ISRO’s bike travels 40.83 meters for each watt-hour capacity inside its battery.

In other words, if it was ISRO’s battery inside the bike, chances are that the bike would have a range of 65 km instead of 50 km and the top speed too would have been 5-10 km/h more than 45 km/hour.

PRICE IMPEDIMENT

However, ISRO’s technology alone may not be enough to enable companies like Hero MotoCorp to make the switch from lead-acid batteries to lithium ion.

While ISRO can license its manufacturing technology for very low rates to Indian manufacturers, there is a second factor at play — the cost of lithium, the key ingredient.

At present, due to high prices for the metal, the cost of producing lithium ion batteries is about Rs 11,000 ($165) per 1000 watt-hour — and that too at a large scale.

As such, the 2,400 watt-hour battery found inside ISRO’s test bike would cost about Rs 26,000 if made today at a large scale.

Assuming that the overall cost of the bike has remain in the Rs 50,000 bracket, that leaves only Rs 24,000 for the rest of the bike.

In comparison, traditional lead acid batteries of the same capacity can be purchased for just Rs 12,000.

CHEAPER IN THE LONG TERM

Despite this, for regular bike users, a lithium ion unit is still far more economical.

A traditional lead-acid battery can only be charged and discharged about 200-250 times, which means they will have to be changed every 10 months or so for daily users.

However, lithium ion batteries can be recharged 1,000 to 5,000 times depending on their quality, which means that they can last 5 to 15 times as long as a lead acid battery.

As a result, if the vehicle is used for 5-10 years, a lithium ion battery would require a one-time investment of Rs 26,000, while the other one will involve a cost of Rs 60,000 to 1,20,000 for buying 5 to 10 units during the bike’s lifetime.

Another promising development is the huge investments being made by Tesla Corp and Chinese companies in creating huge factories to bring down the cost of lithium-ion batteries.

These firms expect the price to dip to $100 per kWh, which would bring down the price of a 2,400 watt-hour unit to Rs 16,000, comparable to the Rs 12,000 price of lead-acid.

However, neither the Indian government nor India companies have any plan to invest in making such batteries on a large scale in India, and the country may have to import the units from China and the USA.

https://ultra.news/s-e/30132/isro-offers-space-tech-electric-vehicle-makers-india

Little ot but a nice electric bike is about to be launched which you can pre book,

http://torkmotorcycles.com

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

India Wants to Win Global Credibility With More Satellite Launches
TECH
17:42 24.04.2017

Aiming to lower the cost of access to space, the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO) chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar has said the space agency is aiming to increase the number of satellite launches from the existing seven to 12 per year.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Experts said that increasing the number of launches will help India tap a fast-growing commercial space market.

"Earlier, we were doing 2-3 (launches) per year, then we increased it to 4-5, last few years we have been doing seven launches. Now, we are trying to go up to 8-9 PSLV per year, two GSLV-Mk II and one GSLV-Mk III. Total about 12 per year," PTI quoted the ISRO chairman as saying.

Noting that it will require capacity addition, the ISRO chairman said the agency is at present building a second vehicle assembly building to improve the turnaround time. It will increase output for the PSLV and ISRO will be able to use the same launch pad for more launches.

Experts concurred with Kumar, saying that ISRO has proven its capabilities and taking additional steps to scale up its operations, including roping in private players.

"The demand for ISRO's satellites is high. ISRO offers reliable technology; it is cost-effective as we all saw the launch of over 100 satellites at one go," Dr. Mayank Vahia, Scientist at the Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, told Sputnik.

"Another salient point is the English connect, especially when it comes to dealing with clients from the English-speaking world. It makes the whole process transparent and communication much effective. Another aspect, which will now work in ISRO's favor, is that they are sub-letting a lot of manufacturing and other processes to private players. Earlier, everything was in-house production. Godrej, L&T and many start-up firms of former ISRO employees are now actively collaborating with them. This will definitely help the agency," Dr. Vahia concluded.

The ISRO chairman shed light on future plans for the space agency as well. While the approval for a proposed space station is yet to come, ISRO plans to undertake the Chandrayaan-2 mission in the first quarter of 2018, Kumar said.

https://sputniknews.com/science/201704241052944411-india-credibility-satellites-launches/

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

Indian Space Research Organisation Starts Work on India’s First Venus Mission
TECH
12:24 26.04.2017
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun the process to send its first satellite to Venus by inviting Indian scientists and academia for space-based experiments.

© AFP 2017/ ARUN SANKAR

New Delhi (Sputnik) – The Announcement of Opportunity released by ISRO said the Principal Investigator of the proposal should be capable of bringing together the instrument team and lead the team for developing a space-qualified instrument.

"The payload capability of the proposed satellite is likely to be 175 kg with 500W of power. However, these values are to be tuned based on the final configuration. The proposed orbit is expected to be around 500 x 60,000 km around Venus. This orbit is likely to be reduced gradually, over several months to a lower apoapsis," an ISRO statement read. The statement did not mention the time frame by which the ambitious satellite is to be launched. Currently, the Venus mission is in the study phase and ISRO has not sought the Indian government's nod for it.

"Exploration of Venus began in the early 1960s. Venus has been explored by flyby, orbiter, a few lander missions and atmospheric probes. In spite of the great progress made in exploring Venus, there still exist gaps in our basic understanding of surface/sub-surface features and processes, super rotation of Venusian atmosphere and its evolution and interaction with solar radiation/solar wind," ISRO said.

Venus is often described as the "twin sister" of the Earth because of the similarities in size, mass, density, bulk composition and gravity. It is believed the two planets share a common origin, forming at the same time out of a condensing nebulosity around 4.5 billion years ago. Venus is 30% closer to the sun compared to the Earth, resulting in much higher solar flux.

Russia, the US, European Space Agency and Japan have already conducted missions to Venus. Recently, Japan had sent mechanical explorers to the Venus at cost of $ 290 million. ISRO quest to other planet is mainly to find some original achievements in fundamental science and try its hand in cutting-edge space technology.

ISRO has also planned follow-on mission to Mars Orbiter Mission. India's second mission to Moon, planned for 2018, involves having a lander and a rover. ISRO's annual budget is approximately $1.1 billion, which is a tenth of US space agency NASA and one-fourth of its Chinese counterpart.

https://sputniknews.com/science/201704261053012398-india-venus-mission/

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

Isro to launch GSAT-9, Modi’s gift to SAARC nations, on 5 May
By Press Trust Of India / 30 Apr 2017 , 10:23


The GSAT-09. Image: Isro.

So it seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a known visionary space buff, is placing the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) in a new orbit by providing this space- based platform that would cost the participating nations almost USD 1,500 million over the 12-year life of the satellite.

Prashant Agarwal, an IIT Kanpur-trained engineer and the point-person in the Ministry of External Affairs piloting the project, says, “Prime Minister Modi has actually extended his slogan Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas to Indias neighbourhood essentially to service the needs of the poor in South Asia.”

On 5 May, the skies above the island of Sriharikota on the coast of the Bay of Bengal will be lit up as the Geo- synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) also called the naughty boy of Isro on its 11th mission will carry a message of peace like never before. The nearly 50-m-tall rocket that weighs about 412 tons will carry what is now dubbed as the South Asia Satellite or what the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) still prefers to call GSAT-9.


Strap on motos being integrated with the launch vehicle. Image: Isro

The 2230-kg satellite has been fabricated in three years and is purely a communications satellite costing Rs 235 crore. The uniqueness of this satellite is that it will have a footprint that extends all over South Asia and India is gifting this heavenly messenger to its neighbours who according to Indias assessment could be helped in better utilising these space based technologies.

The South Asia Satellite has 12 Ku band transponders which Indias neighbours can utilise to increase communications. Each country will get access to at least one transponder through which they could beam their own programming and there could be common south Asian programing as well.

Each country has to develop its own ground infrastructure though India is willing to extend assistance and know-how.
According to the government. the satellite will “enable a full range of applications and services to our neighbours in the areas of telecommunication and broadcasting applications viz. television, direct-to-home (DTH), very small aperture terminals (VSATs), tele-education, telemedicine and disaster management support”.


The GSAT-09. Image: Isro.

The satellite also has the capability to provide secure hot lines among the participating nations in addition since the region is highly prone to earthquakes, cyclones, floods, tsunamis, it may help in providing critical communication links in times of disasters. In this unusual message of peace, Indias most hostile neighbour Pakistan has fully opted out. Rest of the seven nations part of the South Asian Association for Regional Co- operation (SAARC) are already on-board with Afghanistan still to ink the deal with some minor technical details still to be fixed in Kabul.

Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have agreed to be part of this mission, confirms Baglay. When Prime Minister Modi was just a fresher and just four weeks into his new position on June 30, 2014, he surprised the world while speaking to the scientists at Isro in Sriharikota as he asked “the space community to take up the challenge of developing a SAARC satellite that we can dedicate to our neighbourhood as a gift from India”.

The proposal emerged directly from Modi and the leadership at Isro was stunned into silence not knowing what this space animal will look like. A highly-impassioned Modi, who had just witnessed a successful launch, said “I believe that the fight against the poverty of the countries of SAARC is the fight against illiteracy, the fight against superstitions, the challenge of moving forward in the scientific field is the possibility of providing opportunities to young people of SAARC countries.


The GSAT-09 in the heat shield. Image: Isro.

“Our dream of this SAARC Satellite will work in the welfare of all our neighbouring countries. And thats why I have proposed in front of you today that we offer a valuable gift to our SAARC countries through a SAARC Satellite launch so that we also become partners in their welfare.”

Modi reinforced this idea five months later when speaking in Kathmandu at the SAARC Summit on November 26, 2014.
He said, “Indias gift of a satellite for the SAARC region will benefit us all in areas like education, telemedicine, disaster response, resource management, weather forecasting and communication. “We will also host a conference in India for all South Asian partners next year, to strengthen our collective ability to apply space technology in economic development and governance. And, we plan to launch our satellite by the SAARC Day in 2016.”

Modi’s sincere efforts got a jolt when even after participating in the planning meeting on June 22, 2015, Pakistan decided to opt out from the proposed SAARC satellite suggesting that Pakistan has its own space program. So the project was renamed to South Asia Satellite but sources say Pakistan was not allowed to veto the development project. Meanwhile frequency co-ordination activities took longer than expected and the launch got postponed by almost six months.

Among Indias neighbours, three nations already possess full-fledged communication satellites with Pakistan and Sri Lanka having been helped by China; Afghanistan also has a communication satellite actually an old India-made satellite acquired from Europe. Bangladesh is likely to have its first bird in the sky later this year made with help from Thales.


The GSAT-09 with deployed solar panels. Image: Isro.

Essentially, it is the tiny nations of Bhutan and Maldives that may benefit in the long run. Incidentally, Nepal has already floated a tender to acquire two communications satellites. Experts say “Pakistan has missed an opportunity” since its own space program is currently in a primitive stage as compared to Indias. This is despite the fact that Pakistan actually launched its first rocket five years ahead of India and its space agency Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is older than Isro.

Pakistan has had five satellites in space but today lacks heavy duty launchers and satellite fabrication facilities. But will Indias strident regional space diplomacy yield results? There is no doubt that through the South Asia Satellite India is actively trying to counter Chinas growing influence on its neighbours. But in the 21st-century Asian space race, China already has the first mover advantage.

Better late than never is prevailing mood and for this unique space diplomacy it is almost certain that India is likely to get applauded by the worlds powers for this one of a kind friendly confidence building measure. Hopefully friendly skies can result in reduced hostilities on Earth.

http://tech.firstpost.com/news-anal...is-gift-to-saarc-nations-on-5-may-374172.html

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

Some beautiful pics from GSLV-F09 / GSAT-9 mission


South Asian Satellite (GSAT-9)

Launch Vehicle GSLV-F09

More Pictures
http://www.isro.gov.in/gslv-f09-gsat-9/gslv-f09-gsat-9-gallery

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

ISRO Demonstrates Solar Hybrid Electric Car
Transportation has gained a great deal of importance in the growth of modern society by fulfilling the needs of mobility in everyday life. But vehicles using fossil fuels persistently bring serious problems to environment and life. Research and development activities constantly emphasize the acute need to develop high-efficiency, clean and safe transportation systems. Hence, the ideal transportation system should envisage zero-emission without any pollution. In this perspective, Solar and Electrical energy based hybrid vehicles provide the most effective and viable long-term solution by using renewable energy sources for mobility. Such a transportation system rely upon the major components, namely, energy system (Battery, Super-capacitor, Solar panel), control electronics for battery charging, drive electronics between energy source & electric motor and power transmission from motor to wheel through gear set.

Recently, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram, demonstrated the running of a Solar Hybrid Electric Car using in-house expertise and resources within ISRO to pave the way for achieving an environmental friendly transportation system. The major challenges accomplished through multidisciplinary (Chemical, Mechanical, Electronics and Automobile) efforts include design and realisation towards:

• Solar panel to suit the roof top of car
• Super-capacitor to meet the high peak current of beyond 100 A level
• Integral gear box to augment the performance of Brushless DC (BLDC) motor
• Control electronics for the battery and solar panel interface and drive electronics for running the motor in a smooth way
• Conversion of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based vehicle to fit in with the electric motor.

To drive the car, energy was supplied to the vehicle by state of the art high energy density Lithium ion batteries connected across high power density Super-capacitors. Battery delivered the sustained energy requirement while Super-capacitor supported the peak power demand during high torque conditions. This arrangement of power sharing helps in enhancing the life of power-restricted batteries. At the same time, a high efficiency solar panel fitted on rooftop of the car could continue to refill the charge to battery during sunlit period. In order to convert the electrical energy into mechanical means for driving the wheel, it was necessary to integrate an efficient power conversion module between energy system and electric motor. A Brushless type motor was selected, which offered improved torque with reduced energy input while being light in weight. Concerted efforts were made to ensure that the associated safety aspects are not compromised while combining various active subsystems of different behaviour for a focused objective.

The significant indigenous efforts forming part of ISRO applications are successfully exploited from developed components, namely, Super-capacitor, BLDC motor, Solar array and panel, Control & drive electronics and integration methodology inside the vehicle.

The Solar Hybrid Electric car was successfully demonstrated including the uphill drive during the last week of March 2017.

Having gained the experience in the development of electricity driven car, further actions are in progress to reduce the cost through indigenous Li-ion pouch cells/Fuel cell along with Super-capacitor as well as electric motor.

Major Components

Modified BLDC Motor

Super-Capacitor

Solar Hybrid Electric Car demonstration by VSSC

http://www.isro.gov.in/isro-demonstrates-solar-hybrid-electric-car

 

[Prashant12]

Isro project that can aid refuel, repair of satellites in space gets push

BENGALURU: Isro's plan to develop technology that will allow two space vehicles to attach in orbit and also transfer material between them — described in technical terms as spacecraft docking and berthing — has been cleared by the department of space with a grant of Rs 10 crore. The technology will eventually allow Isro to transfer humans in space, but the immediate goal is to enable the refuelling of spacecraft to give them a longer life and transfer other crucial systems to spacecraft in orbit.

Senior scientist T K Anuradha had confirmed to TOI that experiments to this end were under way at the Isro Space Application Centre (Isac), Bengaluru, in 2016. Isro has already completed some ground simulations. A senior scientist said, "The plan is to launch two small spacecraft to test the technology in space. India operates a huge constellation of satellites and this technology will allow Isro to enhance their lives by refuelling them. It'll also reduce space debris."

The scientist added, "In most cases, the payloads on our satellites are still functioning when the satellite is decommissioned because it has expended its fuel. In future, we could enhance the life of satellites multiple times."

India is yet to become a member of the International Space Station, and human space programme is not in its immediate plans, but the eventual aim of the docking system is to send and bring back people from space. Former Isro chairman U R Rao, the chairman of Isro advisory committee, said, "It (the technology) could be used to transport people to space stations — bring back old people and put in newer ones — or even send people in to replace equipment on spacecraft and so on."


Isro has to overcome many challenges before it can attempt the transfer of people in space. For one, Isro must be equipped with capabilities that allow two spacecraft to find each other and remain in the same orbit. Rao said docking has to be automatic and many functions have to be executed by robots. There's also the challenge of managing the speeds of spacecraft when they near each other and to then dock safely.
Isro, according to documents in TOI's possession, is also building a special bus and payload module that will allow replacement of equipment on satellites in space.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-in-space-gets-push/articleshow/58467493.cms?

 

[Prashant12]

GSAT-9 heralds cost-saving electric propulsion

The fully integrated GSLV-F06 carrying GSAT-9 at the second launching pad. |


Test feature in May 5 mission is a tool to cut fuel load & space launch costs

This week's space mission, GSAT-9 or the South Asia Satellite, will carry a new feature that will eventually make advanced Indian spacecraft far lighter. It will even lower the cost of launches tangibly in the near future.

The 2,195-kg GSAT-9, due to take off on a GSLV rocket on May 5, carries an electric propulsion or EP system. The hardware is a first on an Indian spacecraft.

M.Annadurai, Director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, Bengaluru, explained its immediate and potential benefits: the satellite will be flying with around 80 kg of chemical fuel - or just about 25% of what it would have otherwise carried. Managing it for more than a decade in orbit will become cost efficient.

In the long run, with the crucial weight factor coming down later even for sophisticated satellites, Indian Space Research Organisation can launch them on its upcoming heavy rockets instead of sending them to space on costly foreign boosters. Shortly, its own vehicle GSLV MkIII is due for its full test flight.

Dr. Annadurai told The Hindu that GSAT-9's EPS would be used to keep its functions going when it reaches its final slot - which is roughly about two weeks after launch - and throughout its lifetime.

Normally the 2,000-kg class INSAT/GSAT communication satellites take 200-300 kg of chemical propellants with them to space. The fuel is needed to keep them working in space, 36,000 km away, for 12 to 15 years.

Dr. Annadurai said, "In this mission, we are trying EPS in a small way as a technology demonstrator. Now we have put a xenon-based EP primarily for in-orbit functions of the spacecraft. In the long run, it will be very efficient in correcting the [initial] transfer orbit after launch."

He said that the space agency normally uses up 25-30 kg of fuel on the satellite each year to maintain its functions and orbit position. An EP system would vastly bring this amount down.

Next big trend

A xenon based EPS can be five to six times more efficient than chemical-based propulsion on spacecraft and has many uses, according to Dr Annadurai, whose centre assembles all Indian spacecraft. A 3,500-kg EPS-based satellite, for example, can do the work of a conventional spacecraft weighing 5,000 kg, but cost far less.

"One day, we should be able to launch a 5-tonne equivalent spacecraft - but weighing less than it - on our own GSLV [MkIII.] We are not yet there," he said.

All this is on the way, may be in around three years. GSAT-20 is planned as the first fully EPS-enabled satellite; its features were not immediately available. ISAC and the Kerala-based Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre are lead centres in developing it.

A trend that started about four years back, EPS is expected to drive half of all new spacecraft by 2020. For Space-dependent sectors across the globe, the economic benefits of EP systems are said to be immense. Currently government-owned and private space players agencies are said to be scrambling to make space missions 30 per cent cheaper than now - by lowering the per-kg cost of lifting payloads to specific distances.

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...aving-electric-propulsion/article18347912.ece

 

[kurup]

GSLV- F09

GSAT 9

 

[kurup]

GSLV MK2 launch is scheduled for May 5 to 7 .

BAY OF BENGAL AND ANDAMAN SEA (.) CHARTS 32 INT 71 706 (.) GSLV LAUNCH SCHEDULED FROM 05 – 07 MAY 17 FROM 1100 - 1500 UTC FROM

13-43.2N 080-13.8E 2. DANGER ZONE AS FOLLOWS ZONE -1: CIRCLE OF 10 NM AROUND LAUNCHER ZONE–2: 11-50N 085-15E, 12-35N 085-25E, 12-15N 086-25E, 11-30N 086-15E ZONE–3: 10-35N 089-15E, 11-15N 089-25E, 11-00N 090-05E, 10-20N 089-55E ZONE–4: 07-50N 095-15E, 09-30N 095-15E, 09-30N 096-05E, 07-50N 096-05E

3. CANCEL THIS MSG 071600 UTC MAY 17

 

[Prashant12]

Isro unveils solar car made of desi resources

MUMBAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) recently demonstrated a solar hybrid electric car, designed and developed using in-house resources, at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvanathanapuram. Isro made an announcement about this environment-friendly car on Monday.

VSSC is Isro's centre for making various types of rockets like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Reusable Launch Vehicle. The demonstration of the green-friendly vehicle, held in the last week of March, included a successful uphill drive. Isro is now researching ways to cut down the car's cost.

Isro said vehicles using fossil fuels cause problems to environment and life. "An ideal transportation system should envisage zero emission without any pollution," it said.
The car is run using high-energy lithium ion batteries, which can be recharged using sunlight, said sources. The main challenges in developing the vehicle included designing a solar panel on top of the car and also control electronics for the battery and solar panel interface and, what is known as, "drive electronic" to run the car smoothly.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...de-of-desi-resources/articleshow/58506141.cms

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

Indigenisation of Space Materials (ISM) Data Sheet

http://www.isro.gov.in/indigenisation-of-space-materials-ism-data-sheet

 

[Neeraj Mathur]

guys whats the Gsat 9 launch time?

 

[Chinmoy]

guys whats the Gsat 9 launch time?

4:57 PM..

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