ISRO General News and Updates

[Kshatriya87]

ISRO releases book on Indian Space Programme

http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/threads/isro-releases-book-on-indian-space-programme.73681/

BENGALURU: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today released a book on Indian Space Programme "From Fishing Hamlet to Red Planet" to commemorate second anniversary of Mars Orbiter Spacecraft launch.

On the second anniversary of the launch of the spacecraft, a technical meet was organised today at Mission Operations Complex, the location of Spacecraft Control Centre in the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bangalore, ISRO said in a release.

It said the meet deliberated on the mission challenges during the past one year of spacecraft operations around Mars and also on the data received from the five payloads of the spacecraft.

ISRO had launched the Mars Orbiter Mission's spacecraft on its nine-month long odyssey on a homegrown PSLV rocket from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on November 5, 2013.

Mars Orbiter Spacecraft has successfully completed one year in orbit around Mars on September 24, 2015. ISRO had released the Mars Atlas to mark the feat of the Orbiter whose life is now expected to last many more years.

ISRO said on the occasion of the second anniversary of the launch of Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, a book "From Fishing Hamlet to Red Planet" was released by Prof U R Rao, Chairman, PRL Council and Former Chairman, ISRO, in the presence of A S Kiran Kumar, Chairman, ISRO, Dr K Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, ISRO and many distinguished dignitaries of ISRO.

This comprehensive compendium traces the evolution of India's satellite, launch vehicle and application programmes from a historical perspective, it added.

Chief Editor of the book is P V Manoranjan Rao, and its Associate Editors are B N Suresh and V P Balagangadharan, all retired ISRO Scientists.

Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Kumar said the book places on record the innovative approach adopted by ISRO right from the beginning to develop space technologies for national development.

He also stressed the need for ISRO to shoulder new responsibilities in the contemporary times.

ISRO said during its journey around Mars, the spacecraft has sent hundreds of Mars images including numerous full disc images of Mars, because of the unique elliptical orbit in which it was placed; and data sent by other four payloads (scientific instruments) of the spacecraft is being systematically analysed.

It said Mars Orbiter Spacecraft is now circling the Red Planet in an orbit with a periareion (nearest point to Mars) of 311 km and an apoareion (farthest point to Mars) of 71,311 km, and the spacecraft health is normal.

European Space Agency (ESA) of European consortium, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US and Roscosmos of Russia are the only three other agencies which had so far sent their missions to Mars.

Only 21 of the total of 51 missions sent to Mars by various countries have been successful before MOM.
The Mars mission of the ISRO is aimed at establishing the country's capability to reach the red planet and focus on looking for the presence of methane, an indicator of life in Mars.

The life of the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft which now ISRO says can last "many years" was earlier intended for only six months, and later extended for another six months in March this year.

The Rs 450-crore Mangalyaan is the cheapest inter-planetary mission that, at just USD 74 million, costs less than the estimated USD 100 million budget of the sci-fi blockbuster "Gravity" and a tenth of NASA's Mars mission Maven that entered the Martian orbit couple of days before MOM.

 

[Kshatriya87]

If you guys are interested, here's the free download link

http://www.isro.gov.in/pslv-c25-mars-orbiter-mission/fishing-hamlet-to-red-planet-download-e-book

 

[Chinmoy]

If you guys are interested, here's the free download link

http://www.isro.gov.in/pslv-c25-mars-orbiter-mission/fishing-hamlet-to-red-planet-download-e-book

Thanks a lot for the post...................

 

[Kshatriya87]

The European launcher blasted off at 03:04am (IST) and hurled the GSAT-15, designed to deliver telecommunications services, as well as dedicated navigation-aid and emergency services, into space in a flawless flight. (AFP)

India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-15 successfully launched

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...uccessfully/story-M66QHkgwyOnYIQ4tXIqcGL.html

India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-15 was successfully launched by Ariane-5 rocket in the early hours on Wednesday from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana.

The European launcher blasted off at 03:04am (IST) and hurled the GSAT-15, designed to deliver telecommunications services, as well as dedicated navigation-aid and emergency services, into space in a flawless flight.

The satellite was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) after its co-passenger Arabsat-6B (BADR-7) was injected into space.

“Arianespace successfully launched two satellites this evening (local time): Arabsat-6B (BADR-7) for the operator Arabsat, and GSAT-15 for Isro (Indian Space Research Organisation),” Arianespace said.

GSAT-15, weighing 3,164 kg at lift-off, is a high power satellite being inducted into the INSAT/GSAT system. It carries a total of 24 communication transponders in Ku-band as well as a GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload operating in L1 and L5 bands, Isro said adding that it is the third satellite to carry GAGAN payload after GSAT-8 and GSAT-10, which are already providing navigation services from orbit.

It also carries a Ku-band beacon as well to help in accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite.

GSAT-15 is the 19th payload launched by Arianespace for Isro.

Speaking at Kourou, Isro Satellite Centre (ISAC) director M Annadurai said, “GSAT-15 satellite signal has been acquired by Master Control Facility at Hassan (in Karnataka). The initialisation commands are in process and the satellite health is hail and healthy.”

He said the launch of GSAT-15 will enable ISRO to provide continuity of service to Indian users in Ku-band and the navigation payload GAGAN of GSAT-15 will provide in orbit backup to ensure safety of life navigation services in civil aviation sector as well as other location based services to various services in the Indian region.

Annadurai also said other two communication satellites GSAT-17 and GSAT-18 are getting ready for launch by Ariane vehicle in the next year.

“The realisation of both the satellites are in very advanced stage.”

The launch was telecast live by Doordarshan. GSAT-15 brings in Ku-band capacity to augment as well as provide replacement to indigenous operational satellite capacity, Isro said.

“The launch of GSAT-15 will be one more step towards further strengthening the satellite navigation infrastructure and sustaining the communication infrastructure in the country,” Isro chief AS Kiran Kumar said in a recorded video message.

Indian satellite’s co-passenger Arabsat-6B, lofted for Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as part of a turnkey contract with Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat, was also launched by Ariane 5 VA-227.

According to Arianespace, Arabsat-6B, to be renamed BADR-7 once in orbit will provide broadcast, broadband and telecommunications services over the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

Ariane 5 mission had a total payload lift performance of 9,810kg. This includes the two satellites’ mass at liftoff -5,798kg for Arabsat-6B and 3,164kg for GSAT-15 - along with launcher integration hardware and Ariane 5’s dual-passenger deployment system.

The GAGAN payload in GSAT-15 provides the Satellite Based Augmentation System, through which the accuracy of the positioning information obtained from the GPS satellites is improved by a network of ground based receivers and made available to the users in the country through geostationary satellites, Isro said.

In the next few days, the MCF at Hassan will perform the initial orbit raising manoeuvres using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite to take it to its intended space home.

With the designed in-orbit operational life of 12 years, GSAT-15 will be positioned at 93.5 degree east longitude and co-located with INSAT-3A and INSAT-4B satellites.

 

[Kshatriya87]

India to launch communication satellites GSAT-17 and GSAT-18 in 2016, 2017

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/49744476.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

[cobra commando]

Master Control Facility (MCF): Managing India’s Geosynchronous Assets

 

[cobra commando]

All India Radio Super Power Transmitter, Bengaluru (Date of Pass:20-May-2014, Look Angle:41.970)

The radar is viewing from left to right. Transmit tower appearing as bright targets and its top is displaced towards the radar from its true position on the ground (called as layover effect). The true position of the tower is appearing as bright cross as marked in the figure. The Radar shadows can also be seen in the figure. The height of the tower is computed from the image as 105 m. It was found to match with the actual height.

Howrah Bridge, Kolkata, (Date of Pass:2- Apr -2013, Look angle :42.940)

The radar is viewing from right to left. Howrah bridge is a cantilever bridge appearing as bright target with even and odd polarized returns. Hoogly river is appearing as blackish green due to very low back scatter and some depolarized return.

Namma Metro Station, Peenya, Bengaluru (Date of Pass:20-May-2014, Look Angle:41.970)

The radar is viewing from left to right. The metro station roof is made of fiber material with metallic support structure which is appearing as odd bounce target. The elevated metro corridor is appearing as depolarized target.

India’s RISAT-1 High Resolution SpotLight (HRS) Polarimetric Image

 

[praneet.bajpaie]

guys can you tell me hoe to use Bhuvan application. Get confused every time I visit that site.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Now, Isro to launch 6 to 12 satellites a year


PUNE: Isro will increase the number of satellite launches to between six and 12 annually from next year as against four to five at the momen
, Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar announced here on Tuesday.

The Isro chief made this announcement at a programme jointly organised by the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) and Vidnyan Bharati, a science organisation. Kiran Kumar told a jam-packed auditorium comprising mainly school students at the MIT that this figure will further go up to 18 satellite launches annually. Isro officials told TOI that if this is implemented, it will work out to a launch each month making India truly a global space power.

He said that on December 16, Isro will launch five satellites from Singapore. "It will be a dedicated launch for Singapore and the rocket will be the PSLV-XL, an advanced version of the highly-proven four-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)," he said.

At present, there are 29 Indian satellites providing data in different spheres. There are four satellites operating of a constellation of seven which are a part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. "This constellation will be complete by March 2016 when three more satellites of this category will be launched," he said.

Kiran Kumar said India's first solar mission, Aditya-1, is slated for lift-off in 2018-2019. He said that the spacecraft will be positioned 1.5 million kms from the earth at a point called Lagranian-1 and will make a detailed study of the sun 24x7.

India's second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, which is expected to be launched between 2017 and 2018, will have a rover which will operate on the moon's surface for 14 days. "It will function only for 14 days because its instruments are solar powered and the moon will have 14 days of sunlight," he said.

A study team has been constituted to make recommendations relating to future deep space missions. "This group will recommend whether we should have another mission to Mars or go to Venus or an asteroid," he said.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO Scores Big With This ASTROSAT Instrument

A Swift Observatory image of the luminous afterglow of the gamma-ray burst 080319B in X-rays (left) and optical/ultraviolet (right). This burst was the brightest such ever recorded. Caption and image credit: Wikimedia Commons
On November 17, NASA announced its Swift Observatory in space had recorded its thousandth gamma-ray burst (GRB), an important milestone that indicates how many of these high-energy explosions, sometimes followed by the creation of blackholes, happen in the observable universe and in what ways.

Some five weeks before the announcement, Swift had observed a less symbolically significant GRB called 151006A. Its physical characteristics as logged and analysed by the satellite were quickly available, too, on a University of Leicester webpage.

On the same day as this observation, on October 6, the 50-kg CZTI instrument onboard India’s ASTROSAT space-borne satellite had come online. LikeSwift, CZTI is tuned to observe and study high-energy phenomena like GRBs. And like every instrument that has just opened its eyes to the cosmos, ISRO’s scientists were eager to do something with it to check if it worked according to expectations. The Swift-spotted GRB 151006A provided just the opportunity.

CZTI stands for Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Imager – a compound of these three metals (the third is tellurium) being a known industrial radiation detector. And nothing releases radiation as explosively as a GRB, which have been known to outshine the light of whole galaxies in the few seconds that they last. The ISRO scientists pointed the CZTI at 151006A and recorded observations that they’d later compare against Swift records and see if they matched up. A good match would be validation and a definite sign that the CZTI was working normally.

It was working normally, and how.

NASA has two satellites adept at measuring high-energy radiation coming from different sources in the observable universe – Swiftand the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (FGST). Swift is good at detecting incoming particles that have an energy of up to 150 keV, but not so good at determining the peak energy of hard-spectrum emissions. In astrophysics, spectral hardness is defined as the position of the peak – in power emitted per decade in energy – in the emission spectrum of the GRB. This spectrum is essentially a histogram of the number of particles with some values of a property that strike a detector, so a hard-spectrum emission has a well-defined peak in that histogram. An example:

The plot of argon dense plasma emission is a type of histogram – where the intensity of photons is binned according to the energies at which they were observed. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

FGST, on the other hand, is better equipped to detect emissions higher than 150 keV but not so much at quickly figuring out where in the sky the emissions are coming from. The quickness is important because GRBs typically last for a few seconds, while a subcategory of them lasts for a few thousandths of a second, and then fade into a much duller afterglow of X-rays and other lower-energy emissions. So it’s important to find where in the sky GRBs could be when the brighter flash occurs so that other telescopes around the world can better home in on the afterglow.

This blindspot between Swift and FGST is easily bridged by CZTI, according to ISRO. In fact, per a deceptively innocuous calibration notice put out by the organisation on October 17, CZTI boasts the “best spectral [capabilities] ever” for GRB studies in the 80-250 keV range. This means it can provide better spectral studies of long GRBs (which are usually soft) and better localisation for short, harder GRBs. And together, they make up a strong suite of simultaneous spectral and timing observations of high-energy phenomena for ASTROSAT.

There’s more.

Enter Compton scattering

The X-rays and gamma rays emanating from a GRB are simply photons that have a very low wavelength (or, very high frequency). Apart from these characteristics, they also have a property called polarisation, which describes the plane along which the electromagnetic waves of the radiation are vibrating. Polarisation is very important when studying directions along long distances in the universe and how the alignment of intervening matter affects the path of the radiation.

All these properties can be visualised according to the wave nature of radiation.

But in 1922, the British physicist Arthur Compton found that when high-frequency X-rays collided with free electrons, their frequency dropped by a bit (because some energy was transferred to the electrons). This discovery – called Compton scattering and celebrated for proving that electromagnetic radiation could behave like particles – also yielded an equation that let physicists calculate the angle at which the radiation was scattered off based on the change in its frequency. Based on this idea, instruments sensitive to Compton scattering are also able to measure polarisation.

Observed count profile of Compton events during GRB 151006A. Source: IUCAA

This plot shows the number of Compton scattering events logged by CZTI based on observing GRB 151006A; zero-time is the time at which the GRB triggered the attention of Swift. That CZTI was able to generate this plot was evidence that it could make simultaneous observations of timing, spectra and polarisation of high-energy events (especially in X-rays, up to 250 keV), lessening the burden on ISRO to depend on multiple satellites for different observations at different energies.

The ISRO note did clarify that no polarisation measurement was made in this case because about 500 Compton events were logged against the 2,000 needed for the calculation.

But that a GRB had been observed and studied by CZTI was broadcast on the Gamma-ray Coordinates Network:

V. Bhalerao (IUCAA), D. Bhattacharya (IUCAA), A.R. Rao (TIFR), S. Vadawale (PRL) report on behalf of the Astrosat CZTI collaboration:

Analysis of Astrosat commissioning data showed the presence of GRB 151006A (Kocevski et al. 2015, GCN 18398) in the Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager. The source was located 60.7 degrees away from the pointing direction and was detected at energies above 60 keV. Modelling the profile as a fast rise and exponential decay, we measure T90 of 65s, 775s and 50s in 60-80 keV, 80-100 keV and 100-250 keV bands respectively.

In addition, the GRB is clearly detected in a light curve created from double events satisfying Compton scattering criteria (Vadawale et al, 2015, A&A, 578, 73). This demonstrates the feasibility of measuring polarisation for brighter GRBs with CZTI.

That CZTI, built by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, is a top-notch instrument doesn’t come as a big surprise: most of ASTROSAT’s instruments boast unique capabilities and in some contexts are the best on Earth in space. For example, the LAXPC (Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter) instrument as well as NASA’s uniquely designed NuSTAR space telescope both log radiation in the 6-79 keV range coming from around blackholes. While NuSTAR’s spectral abilities are superior, LAXPC’s radiation-collecting area is 10x as much.

On October 7-8, ISRO also used CZTI to observe the famous Cygnus X-1 X-ray source (believed to be a blackhole) in the constellation Cygnus. The observation was made coincidental to NuSTAR’s study of the same object in the same period, allowing ISRO to calibrate CZTI’s functioning in the 0-80 (approx.) keV range and signalling the readiness of five of the six instruments onboard ASTROSAT.

The one remaining instrument, the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope, will switch on on December 10. And from late December to September 2016, ISRO will use the satellite to make a series of observations before it becomes available to third-parties, and finally to foreign teams in 2018.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO to Test Electric Propulsion on Satellites

An electrically powered spacecraft propulsion system uses electrical energy to change the velocity of a spacecraft. Russian satellites have used electric propulsion for decades.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to try out electric propulsion on its satellites. The project, if successful, will increase the life and payload capability of satellites.
The technology, being developed by various ISRO units, will soon be tested first in a GSAT communication satellite, ISRO officials said.
“Our plan is to experiment it on the GSAT-9 communication satellite during March-April 2017. Initially, electric propulsion will be used only for the station-keeping of the satellite, which include adjusting the satellite’s orbit,” Dr K Sivan, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which is one of the ISRO centres involved in the project, said.
At present, satellites carry on board liquid fuel and oxidiser to power their thrusters for adjusting the orbits and other station-keeping purposes. This fuel accounts for 40-50 per cent of the mass of a satellite. The idea is to develop a satellite which fully replaces liquid fuel with electric propulsion.
“This will enable us to increase the life of the satellite by at least four years and to have more applications aboard a satellite. At present, the life of a 2,000-2,500 kg communication satellite of the GSAT class is 10-12 years,” Sivan said.
ISRO units ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) and VSSC are mainly involved in the project. The 75 mN thrusters needed for the project have been designed. The satellite which will use electric propulsion for station-keeping will, in future, be followed by an all-electric propulsion one.
A satellite becomes defunct when the on-board fuel runs out and it starts drifting away from its orbit.
Then it is classified as ‘space junk’, becoming a potential threat to other satellites. GSAT-9 is slated to be put in orbit by a Mk-II version of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO to Test Electric Propulsion on Satellites

View attachment 6789
An electrically powered spacecraft propulsion system uses electrical energy to change the velocity of a spacecraft. Russian satellites have used electric propulsion for decades.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
is all set to try out electric propulsion on its
satellites. The project, if successful, will
increase the life and payload capability of
satellites.
The technology, being developed by various
ISRO units, will soon be tested first in a GSAT
communication satellite, ISRO officials said.
“Our plan is to experiment it on the GSAT-9
communication satellite during March-April
2017. Initially, electric propulsion will be used
only for the station-keeping of the satellite,
which include adjusting the satellite’s orbit,” Dr
K Sivan, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre (VSSC), which is one of the ISRO
centres involved in the project, said.
At present, satellites carry on board liquid fuel
and oxidiser to power their thrusters for
adjusting the orbits and other station-keeping
purposes. This fuel accounts for 40-50 per cent
of the mass of a satellite. The idea is to
develop a satellite which fully replaces liquid
fuel with electric propulsion.
“This will enable us to increase the life of the
satellite by at least four years and to have more
applications aboard a satellite. At present, the
life of a 2,000-2,500 kg communication satellite
of the GSAT class is 10-12 years,” Sivan said.
ISRO units ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Liquid
Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) and VSSC
are mainly involved in the project. The 75 mN
thrusters needed for the project have been
designed. The satellite which will use electric
propulsion for station-keeping will, in future, be
followed by an all-electric propulsion one.
A satellite becomes defunct when the on-board
fuel runs out and it starts drifting away from its
orbit.
Then it is classified as ‘space junk’, becoming a
potential threat to other satellites. GSAT-9 is slated to be put in orbit by a Mk-II version of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

 

[Indx TechStyle]

@pmaitra I've accidentally posted same post two times. Can you delete second one?
Because neither second one have proper alignment,nor its is able to display image.

 

[Screambowl]

GSLV on-board camera video.. I hope next time they will have better quality. But a Good start

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO likely to launch satellites made by Indian students

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to launch seven satellites designed by students of various Indian institutions and universities, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh said: “ISRO is addressing the possibility of launching satellites being designed by students of various Indian institutions. These satellites are in various stages of development.”

The seven student satellites are – SWAYAM designed by College of Engineering, Pune, PISAT by PES University, Bangalore, PRATHAM by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)- Bombay (Mumbai), SATHYABAMASAT by Sathyabama University, Chennai, NIUSAT by Noorul Islam Univeristy, Kumaracoil (Tamil Nadu), PARIKSHIT by Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka and IITMSAT by IIT-Madras (Chennai).

The minister also said that since 2009, ISRO has successfully launched four student satellites.

While the ANUSAT by the Anna University in Tamil Nadu was launched in 2009, STUDSAT was launched the following year and was designed by a consortium of engineering colleges. Two more satellites, SRMSat and JUGNU were launched on the same date on October, 12, 2011 and were made by SRM University (Tamin Nadu) and IIT-Kanpur respectively.
@Illusive
@Bornubus
@Srinivas_K

 

[cobra commando]

India's 'Replacement GPS' to Have Better Accuracy: Isro Official

 

[cobra commando]

First Light Images from Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) payload onboard ASTROSAT in Orbit

 

[Sridhar]

India’s first space observatory scores over NASA, say TIFR scientists - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/ci...asa-say-tifr-scientists/#sthash.UEjrAuVY.dpuf

http://indianexpress.com/article/ci...rvatory-scores-over-nasa-say-tifr-scientists/

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO To Launch 6 Singaporean Satellites On December 16

Chennai: India will be launching six Singaporean satellites weighing a total of around 625 kg on December 16 evening through its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, a senior official said.
"It is a commercial launch. The rocket is expected
to blast off from the Sriharikota rocket port at 6 pm on December 16. The Indian rocket will be
carrying six satellites all from Singapore," a senior
official of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), preferring anonymity, told IANS on
Thursday.
According to him, the major luggage for the PSLV
ocket will be the earth observation satellite called TeLEOS, weighing around 400 kg. ISRO will be flying the 'core alone' variant of the PSLV rocket. The rocket will not have the strap on boosters, its standard feature. The December 16 mission will be the last rocket launch mission for ISRO in 2015.
Till date in 2015 calendar year, ISRO has launched
14 satellites (3 Indian and 11 foreign) from its
rocket port in Sriharikota. Thirteen satellites were
launched with PSLV rocket and one communication satellite - GSAT-6-with geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV).
When the December 16 launch turns successful,
then the total number satellite launches from India will be 20.
Last month India also launched its communication satellite GSAT-15 using the Ariane rocket of the European space agency which takes the total number of satellite launches in 2015 to 21 (17 foreign, 4 Indian).

 

[Neeraj Mathur]

PSLV-C29 / TeLEOS-1 Mission


The launch of PSLV-C29 carrying six satellites of Singapore is scheduled at 6:00 pm on December 16, 2015 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota