ISRO General News and Updates

[chetan chopade]

News update: SSLV To Carry Two Defence Satellites

<https://www.chetansindiaspaceflight.com/2019/02/news-update-sslv-to-carry-two-defence.html>

Source: NDTV <https://idrw.org/isros-new-rocket-likely-to-carry-2-defence-satellites/>

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  • ISRO will fly two small defence satellites in July or August this year on its new rocket SSLV. ”We are planning to fly two defence satellites, each weighing about 120 kg in our new rocket SSLV this July or August. The rocket design recently underwent a detailed integrated technical review,” K Sivan, ISRO Chairman, told news agency IANS on Wednesday.
  • He said the total weight of the payload that will be carried by the SSLV on its first flight will be about 500 kg. While the two satellites would weight about 120 kg each, there will be adaptors and others that would weigh about 300 kg. The total weight of the rocket will be 110 tonne.

So the SSLV to carry DRDO sats in its maiden test launch?

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

News update: SSLV To Carry Two Defence Satellites

<https://www.chetansindiaspaceflight.com/2019/02/news-update-sslv-to-carry-two-defence.html>
View attachment 32288

Source: NDTV <https://idrw.org/isros-new-rocket-likely-to-carry-2-defence-satellites/>

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  • ISRO will fly two small defence satellites in July or August this year on its new rocket SSLV. ”We are planning to fly two defence satellites, each weighing about 120 kg in our new rocket SSLV this July or August. The rocket design recently underwent a detailed integrated technical review,” K Sivan, ISRO Chairman, told news agency IANS on Wednesday.
  • He said the total weight of the payload that will be carried by the SSLV on its first flight will be about 500 kg. While the two satellites would weight about 120 kg each, there will be adaptors and others that would weigh about 300 kg. The total weight of the rocket will be 110 tonne.

So the SSLV to carry DRDO sats in its maiden test launch?

That waste whole point of SSLV - To launch defence satellite in large number to augment Indian defence. Why else would one need 50 launches annually?

 

[sorcerer]

That waste whole point of SSLV - To launch defence satellite in large number to augment Indian defence. Why else would one need 50 launches annually?

India is preparing for low cost solution to capitalize on the NANO satellite markets.. Launch vehicle that can be readied and implemented in short notice.
Looks like the future game in Nano Satellites is substantial..
This is good..need a low cost vehicle to get every pie

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

India is preparing for low cost solution to capitalize on the NANO satellite markets.. Launch vehicle that can be readied and implemented in short notice.
Looks like the future game in Nano Satellites is substantial..
This is good..need a low cost vehicle to get every pie

Nano satellite can be launched as secondary payload. The whole point of SSLV is faster manufacturing and launching of satellite. Speed is required mostly in war. In all other times, slower process is good enough

 

[Indx TechStyle]

That waste whole point of SSLV - To launch defence satellite in large number to augment Indian defence. Why else would one need 50 launches annually?

I told you. SSLV is Indian equivalent of Chinese Kuaizhou.
Air launched orbital too has been envisaged and in study by a private company called Agnikul. A submarine launched version too might be there.

Low cost, mass produced & quickly assembled rockets to launch any satellite immediately during trouble. I hope we see at least submarine launched variant in next decade.

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

I told you. SSLV is Indian equivalent of Chinese Kuaizhou.
Air launched orbital too has been envisaged and in study by a private company called Agnikul. A submarine launched version too might be there.

Low cost, mass produced & quickly assembled rockets to launch any satellite immediately during trouble. I hope we see at least submarine launched variant in next decade.

Submarine launch etc is not easy as the weight of SSLV is 110ton. Launching such long & heavy rocket is difficult from submarine. Though it is possible to store the rockets in submerged pontoons for launch when troubled. Air launched missile of 50+ ton weight appears very difficult.

The intention appears to be highly skewed towards strategic or military needs in all cases. It is likely to be an insurance against ASAT missiles as well as needs to launch quick sets of spy satellites in polar orbits.

All superpower states have some quick launch vehicle. USA has minotaur, Russia has Start-1 and China has Kuaizhou

 

[Indx TechStyle]

1. Launch of PSLV-QL C45 may be shifted from March 14th to 21st.
2. First demonstration of SSLV shifted from May-June to July 2019.
3. Chandrayaan-2 is now shifted to end of April. May even go to May if production & assembly work for GSLV Mk3 gets delayed.

As I told before, we aren't going to get rid of Arianespace, at least for next 3-4 years or even till we have our own standard modular rocket ULV.
ISRO will sign another contract for more satellites.

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

1. Launch of PSLV-QL C45 may be shifted from March 14th to 21st.
2. First demonstration of SSLV shifted from May-June to July 2019.
3. Chandrayaan-2 is now shifted to end of April. May even go to May if production & assembly work for GSLV Mk3 gets delayed.

As I told before, we aren't going to get rid of Arianespace, at least for next 3-4 years or even till we have our own standard modular rocket ULV.
ISRO will sign another contract for more satellites.

We have not developed 6 ton rocket yet. So until the 6ton GSLV MK3 is ready, getting rid of Arianespace will be difficult. India will continue with Arianespace till 6ton launch capabilities is readied .Delay of one week launch is not any meaningful indicator of problems. More booking of Arianespace will solely depend upon whether there are any 4+ ton satellite to be launched or not.

I am assuming that Chandrayaan is being delayed to prevent any embarrassment to Modi government during elections in case the lander does not land properly or some problem happens as it is a new & complicated maneuver which India has not done before

 

[Indx TechStyle]

We have not developed 6 ton rocket yet. So until the 6ton GSLV MK3 is ready, getting rid of Arianespace will be difficult. India will continue with Arianespace till 6ton launch capabilities is readied .Delay of one week launch is not any meaningful indicator of problems. More booking of Arianespace will solely depend upon whether there are any 4+ ton satellite to be launched or not.

I am assuming that Chandrayaan is being delayed to prevent any embarrassment to Modi government during elections in case the lander does not land properly or some problem happens as it is a new & complicated maneuver which India has not done before

6 tonne version is going to fly at end of next year.

I'm just saying that even then we will have to use Arianespace partially given low launch frequency. Being distinct in design, we've to refabricate parts specially for each of rockets. Once the stages are standardized, launch frequency will double to 15-20 orbital launches per year (excluding SSLV).

PSLV DL & QL variants are first step as same stages will be used in GSLV.

Similarly, 6 tonne GSLV Mk3 is most essentially a demonstration of SCE-200 (which is actually intended for UMLV) and to escape loot of Arianespace to some extent.

For your kind information, crewed Gaganyaan will fly on old GSLV Mk3 2021-22 despite new version coming in late 2020 or early 2021. ISRO has confirmed that.

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

I'm just saying that even then we will have to use Arianespace partially given low launch frequency. Being distinct in design, we've to refabricate parts specially for each of rockets. Once the stages are standardized, launch frequency will double to 15-20 orbital launches per year

Taking cue from Tejas LCA, I would say that GSLV MK3 will be finalised when it geta something like FOC. So, first flight in 2020 will not be enough to call it as complete. Only after the final standard of GSLV is complete, it will be considered complete

For your kind information, crewed Gaganyaan will fly on old GSLV Mk3 2021-22 despite new version coming in late 2020 or early 2021. ISRO has confirmed

Yes, we can't risk our crew by using non FOC version of the rocket. So, we will use tried and tested version only

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Taking cue from Tejas LCA, I would say that GSLV MK3 will be finalised when it geta something like FOC. So, first flight in 2020 will not be enough to call it as complete. Only after the final standard of GSLV is complete, it will be considered complete


Yes, we can't risk our crew by using non FOC version of the rocket. So, we will use tried and tested version only

Correct that ISRO is not flying because rocket being immature.
But you aren't getting what I'm saying, GSLV Mk3 isn't going to have FOC ever. It's not going to work as workhorse of ISRO unlike PSLV did.

It's a temporary stop gap LV to utilize boosted payload carrying capabilities till UMLV is operational. I hardly think that GSLV Mk3 will even have 10 flights except Gaganyaan (UMLV would need time to mature).

Still, GSLV Mk3 isn't going to survive beyond 2030. UMLV will replace every rocket except SSLV.

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

Correct that ISRO is not flying because rocket being immature.
But you aren't getting what I'm saying, GSLV Mk3 isn't going to have FOC ever. It's not going to work as workhorse of ISRO unlike PSLV did.

It's a temporary stop gap LV to utilize boosted payload carrying capabilities till UMLV is operational. I hardly think that GSLV Mk3 will even have 10 flights except Gaganyaan (UMLV would need time to mature).

Still, GSLV Mk3 isn't going to survive beyond 2030. UMLV will replace every rocket except SSLV.

Is ISRO really serious about UMLV? Can you give me some more details about how it will work? Merely adding boosters is not enough to change payload. So, how exactly will one size fits all where the same rocket will be used for different payload work? Won't there be a heavy loss of fuel by having to fly bigger rockets for smaller payload?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Is ISRO really serious about UMLV? Can you give me some more details about how it will work? Merely adding boosters is not enough to change payload. So, how exactly will one size fits all where the same rocket will be used for different payload work? Won't there be a heavy loss of fuel by having to fly bigger rockets for smaller payload?

There are actually sets of identical that can produced to be kept in stocks and parts of core or stages can be assembled as per need to reduced weight (lower payload) or increase space (higher payload). Largest variant hence will be as much as of twice height of smallest one. But we'll try to make identical modules as much as possible which will only be added up to increase the size of rocket.

Boosters will not be added but different boosters for different variants will be there. Same core might be there for two successive variants in case time reduced pays off.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Young Scientist Programme Launched

Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for Establishing ISRO Chair at Institutes

JSC "Rosoboronexport" officials visited ISRO HQ

British High Commissioner to India visited ISRO HQ

Russian Ambassador to India visited ISRO HQ & HSFC

 

[Indx TechStyle]

New space company to facilitate ISRO tech transfer to industry

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a new company under the department of space to commercially exploit the research and development work of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Isro chairman K Sivan told TOI, "The main objective of this new company will be to act as a mediator or link between Isro and the industry, and facilitate the transfer of Isro technologies to private companies. Till now, Isro had to directly engage with private companies and oversee the entire process of technology transfer." He said the new company "will be set up under Department of Space and will be based in Bangalore. It will have a new CMD". He said the role of this new company will be different from Antrix, Isro's commercial arm, as the latter is only involved in commercial launches of foreign satellites.

The new company will commercially exploit Isro programmes like the small satellite, small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) or mini-PSLV programme and polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV). It will also facilitate the marketing of space-based products and spin-off technologies and products, both in India and abroad. The Isro chairman said, "We wanted a mechanism to transfer the technologies of our new projects like SSLV and even lithium-ion cells. With this company, Isro will be able to smoothly transfer these technologies after charging fees. Once companies start mass production of small satellites and launchers, Isro will be charging them for using its launch services."

To ensure that companies do not compromise with the quality of space components, Sivan said, "Space law is being readied. The Cabinet will soon take it up for approval. This space law will define everything related to space components and services. It will also have provisions related to the accountability of manufacturers for its space components."

The SSLV vehicle is a mini launcher which Isro has been developing for over a year. This mini-PSLV or SSLV can be assembled in 3-4 days as compared to 40 days for a normal-size rocket. Sivan said, "The first test of SSLV, which will be used to launch small satellites weighing less than 500 kg, is due in July-August. Once it is test-proven after the two test-flights, we have decided to transfer its technology to the industry." Isro plans to carry two defence satellites of 120kg each during the first test-flight of SSLV.

Tuesday's Cabinet decision will definitely encourage the private sector to indulge more in production of small launchers and satellites. Of late, Isro itself has been working on this direction. In fact, on January 11 this year, it had signed an MoU with its strategic partners Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and L&T for production of industry-made PSLV.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Imagine an Indian version of ULA.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Feb 22, 2019
Chairman, Ukrainian Space Agency’s visit to ISRO HQ

Mr. Pavlo Degtyarenko, Chairman, State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU) visited ISRO HQ on February 21, 2019 and had discussions with Dr. K.Sivan, Chairman ISRO/ Secretary DOS on the ongoing cooperation between India and Ukraine.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India to launch first 3 orbit mission with PSLV-C45 on March 21

 

[Indx TechStyle]

(And that even in HD!!)
Keeping an eye over Pakistan, Isro's satellites provide vital inputs to the armed forces for operations like the Balakot airstrikes on Tuesday

BENGALURU: That India’s space capabilities allow its armed forces to be more effective in planning is no secret. But here’s the extent of India’s reach: Information accessed from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) shows our satellites keep a watch over the entire Pakistan and provide high definition mapping of 87% of the neighbour’s land area, providing vital inputs to the armed forces’ operations like the Balakot airstrikes on Tuesday.

Indian satellites are able to map all terrains across 7.7 lakh sqkm of Pakistan’s total 8.8 lakh sqkm of land area, giving Indian commanders access to high resolution images of 0.65 metre.

(Correction: Pakistan's area is mere 7.91 lakh square kilometers, rest is Pok which is ours).

India has similar capabilities for other neighbouring nations — our satellites can map about 5.5 million sqkm of land spread across 14 countries — but details about China were not immediately available.

“This coverage is just from the Cartosat family of satellites. There are an array of services that Isro provides, but we cannot comment on everything in public,” a source said.

On January 17, junior space minister Jitendra Singh said that India can peep into Pakistan homes, and it appears he wasn’t joking. “India’s integrated border management system allows India to look into the verandahs and rooms of houses of people across the border in Pakistan,” he said.

We can see into the verandahs of Pak homes: Jitendra Singh

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which has a demand for more satellites is happy with the services being provided by Isro. On a specific question, an Air Marshal commanding a top facility said last week: “Do we need more satellites? Yes. But nearly 70% of our demand has already been met and we are on track.”

SENTINEL IN THE SKY
The use of space technology by the Indian armed forces has increased over the years. India has at least 10 satellites for military purpose. The data sent to the military is supplied by Isro's National Remote Sensing Centre in Hyderabad, while data from communication satellites is accessed directly by the end-users

Among the major satellites that have helped the Indian armed forces are the series of Cartosat satellites, GSAT-7 and GSAT-7A, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation, the Microsat, Risat and the HysIS (Hyper-spectral Imaging Satellite). If we count individual spacecraft, then more than 10 operational satellites are of use to the military.

As reported by TOI first, the first major use of the Cartosat family of satellites had, in fact, aided India’s surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in September 2016. Isro has been providing images to the armed forces, the Army in particular.

Surgical Strikes: First major use of Cartosat images for Army

Cartosat provides ‘area of interest’ (AOI) images based on specific requests. Isro has the capability of providing one or more scenes/images covering the AOI as specified in a single polygon (all the areas in one circle) in the form of a shapefile (non-topological geometry and attribute information for the spatial features).

According to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad, AOI products are of two types — standard and precision-based ortho (where images taken from space are corrected to have a uniform scale) — both of which are useful for the armed forces. Ortho rectified products are corrected for terrain distortions and camera tilt effects.

While the first Cartosat was launched in 2005, Cartosat-2A launched in 2007 was the first dual-use satellite with capabilities of monitoring missile launches in India’s neighbourhood.

Cartosat-2C, launched in June 2016, can record videos of sensitive targets from space, compress them, and relay to earth. The next in the series, Cartosat-2E, was launched in June 2017. Isro launched a bevy of other satellites for military use in 2018 too.

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

(And that even in HD!!)
Keeping an eye over Pakistan, Isro's satellites provide vital inputs to the armed forces for operations like the Balakot airstrikes on Tuesday
(Correction: Pakistan's area is mere 7.91 lakh square kilometers, rest is Pok which is ours).

We can see into the verandahs of Pak homes: Jitendra Singh
SENTINEL IN THE SKY
The use of space technology by the Indian armed forces has increased over the years. India has at least 10 satellites for military purpose. The data sent to the military is supplied by Isro's National Remote Sensing Centre in Hyderabad, while data from communication satellites is accessed directly by the end-users

Surgical Strikes: First major use of Cartosat images for Army

Rest 13% is forest and mountainous land which is difficult to be mapped in HD. But India still has other mapping like IR mapping which can map forests and other difficult places but not in HD.