ISRO General News and Updates

[Indx TechStyle]

Story of the Week
A new Brazing process for Semi-Cryo Engine established by ISRO
Manufacture of thrust chamber and pre-burner of Semi-Cryo engine requires joining of two shells by vacuum brazing. The inner shell is made of a copper alloy, whereas the outer shell is made of stainless steel. The inner shell has ribs on its outer surface which need to be joined to the inner shell. This joining is achieved by brazing which results in formation of active cooling channels in the finished hardware.

The usual process of brazing uses a metal foil placed between the two shells. When the assembly is heated, the foil melts and a braze joint is formed. This is a time consuming and labour intensive process. Moreover, the hardware has to be rotated during brazing to avoid accumulation of braze metal in the channels. In order to overcome these limitations, a new brazing process has been developed which involves the use of coated base metals. At appropriate brazing temperature, the sandwich layer melts and forms in-situ braze alloy between the joints. In the present development, an attempt is made to achieve braze joint through ‘static’ technique rather than hitherto followed method at ISRO of ‘rotary’ brazing.

For the thrust chamber, vacuum brazing is to be carried out between martensitic stainless steel and copper alloy. To form the braze joint, a layer of copper and silver coating is provided on the base materials to be joined. A schematic of the coating arrangement is given in Figure 1. Nickel coating is applied to act as a barrier between braze metal and steel. Figure 2 shows a cross section of electroplated steel and copper.

Initial experiments for process optimization were carried in coupon level in a vacuum furnace. Several such experiments were conducted to optimize the silver layer thickness, brazing temperature, brazing time and load. Using the optimized process, flat plates with milled channels were brazed to simulate thrust chamber configuration and pressure tested. Figure 3 shows the joint made with two flat plates. Pressure testing was done up to 600 bar and no de-bonding was observed after the pressure test.

Subsequently, pre-burner prototype hardware were fabricated and coated for the performance evaluation. A differential pressure is essential to ensure proper hugging of the cylindrical hardware assembly. For this purpose a Vacuum compression setup was designed and fabricated in-house in VSSC (Figure 4 and 5).

Using this setup, subscale hardware was realized and was evaluated through X-Ray radiography and was pressure tested by Semi Cryo Project team. It was confirmed that the hardware were free of blocks in the channels through X-Ray radiography. Pressure testing was done up to 500 bar and no de-bonding was observed. Figure 6 show the hardware and the cut cross section with typical rib fracture observed beyond 500 bar which implies the soundness of the brazed joint.

As it is a simpler process, brazing can be done at industries without any special equipment, and the advantages of this process are:

• This is a simple method of applying coatings by electroplating in the channels thus avoiding use of costly braze foils
• Time consuming and laborious brazing foil assembly on the contoured ribs is simplified.

Story of the Week - Archive
Mar 07, 2016 : A new Brazing process for Semi-Cryo Engine established by ISRO
Feb 29, 2016 : Hot Isostatic Press Facility was inaugurated at VSSC
Feb 26, 2016 : ISRO participates in "Make In India Week"
Feb 16, 2016 : Towards Self Reliance in Navigation-IRNSS
Feb 10, 2016 : User Interaction Meet 2016 and New Releases in Public Domain
Feb 02, 2016 : IIST: Capacity Building for Indian Space Programme
Jan 26, 2016 : Aditya - L1 First Indian mission to study the Sun

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[Kshatriya87]

The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the second IRNSS-1B in April 2014, the third on October 2014, the fourth in March 2015, and the fifth in January this year.

The seventh satellite-IRNSS-1G- is expected to be launched in the second half of 2016.

Once the regional navigation system is in place, India need not be dependent on other platforms.

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

The operationalisation of the sixth satellite following its launch on March 10 a better position accuracy will be provided, ISRO said.

 

[Sridhar]

http://www.isro.gov.in/irnss-programme/pslv-c32-irnss-1f-launch-live

 

[Screambowl]

during our project we created a sat, 2.3 kgs for low orbit manoeuvre expremint. But was not selected because it carried fuel, which could be hazardeous

 

[Abhijeet Dey]

Finally some good news.............

ISRO's RLV-TD Mission Launch Likely in May

http://www.newindianexpress.com/sta...h-Likely-in-May/2016/03/11/article3321258.ece

 

[Neo527]

'The Apple' India's first communication satellite. Just to think how far we have come and where we started.
And not to forget those Dazzling pants!!

 

[Gessler]

during our project we created a sat, 2.3 kgs for low orbit manoeuvre expremint. But was not selected because it carried fuel, which could be hazardeous

Should've gone with electric (ion) propulsion.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Second LAM firing of IRNSS-1F, at apogee for 1918.5 sec has been successfully completed on 12.3.2016 starting from 07:57:54 hr IST.
PSLV-C32/IRNSS-1F Launch Mission Update:

Mar 12, 2016 - Second LAM firing of IRNSS-1F, at apogee for 1918.5 sec has been successfully completed on 12.3.2016 starting from 07:57:54 hr IST.

The apogee raise maneuver of IRNSS-1F has been successfully carried out for 1192 sec from 16:16 hrs IST on March 11, 2016. Orbit Determination results from this LAM firing are: apogee X perigee height was changed to 35828 kmX 318.5 km. Inclination is 17.86 deg. Orbital period is 10hr 34min.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO To Launch 25 Foreign Satellites For 7 Countries In 2016-17
India will launch 25 foreign satellites belonging to seven countries, with the USA topping the list in 2016-17, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

ndtv

In written response to a question, Jitendra Singh, minister of state in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) which looks after the department of space, said till date 57 foreign satellites from 21 countries have been launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

He said Antrix - the commercial arm of ISRO - has signed agreements with Algeria and Canada for launching three satellites each, four for Germany, one each for Japan and Malaysia, and 12 for the USA in 2016-17.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

PSLV C-32/IRNSS-1F Gallery

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Pics from Sat.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Assembly of Rocket

 

[Indx TechStyle]

PSLV is surely a beauty, isn't it?
:biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO plans to double its launches, asks industry for bigger stakes

ISRO’s PSLV C-32 carrying navigation satellite IRNSS-1F lifts off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. (Source: PTI)
The Indian Space Research Organisation intends to more than double its launches in a year, and get on board industries to build entire satellites as well as partner in rocket integration by taking bigger stakes, its Chairman AS Kiran Kumar has said.

India currently has 34 satellites in space but this number falls short of the country’s need to generate information, both on earth observation and communication fronts, said Kumar, who is also Secretary in the Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission.


“We have already reached seven launches in a year. We intend to increase it to almost 12 launches a year… immediately (subsequently) following to reach up to 18 launches a year,” he said, delivering a lecture at the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), Hyderabad branch, last evening, but did not give time-frame to achieve the objective.

“We need to build capacity and this capacity-building is going to happen with attempts by bringing in industry to use the launch vehicles (rockets of ISRO). We are looking at the industry performing total launch at Sriharikota (ISRO’s spaceport) using mechanisms. So, we are working on these mechanisms,” he said.

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“Today we are working on mechanisms for ensuring that the industry would be able to build and launch satellites using the launch vehicles in our Sriharikota launch pad.

“Industry participation, for example raw materials, fabrication, is happening and vehicle integration is planned for near future. We are in discussion with industries. We are trying to make industries to take bigger stakes in the space programmes,” Kiran Kumar said.

ISRO is working on a mechanism with the industry on sharing responsibility, both in terms of investment and in areas of co-development and co-innovation.

G Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, said AeSI has approached its counterparts in advanced nations, inviting companies there to set up shop in India in areas of aerospace sector where the country is not strong, in partnership with ‘desi’ firms, as part of the ‘Make in India’ push.

Reddy, who is the Chairman of AeSI’s Hyderabad branch, said the Society has written letter to them (counterparts in other countries) listing areas in the sector where India needs collaboration.

He said they are expecting response in a couple of months and hope to initiate discussion with serious players from abroad in the second-half of this year, and “marry” them with interested domestic firms.

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[Indx TechStyle]

Isro to Test Plane-Shaped Reusable Space Launch Vehicle

India will test a small aeroplane-shaped vehicle this year as part of its programme to develop a reusable space launch vehicle, a senior official of Indian Space Research Organisation said.
"We will test a small aeroplane-shaped vehicle - reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator - weighing around 1.7 tonnes soon. The vehicle will travel up to 70 km and will return," K. Sivan, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, part of Isro told IANS in Sriharikota.

Currently, the cost of placing 1kg of object in space is about Rs. 3 lakh ($5,000) which scientists are hoping can be brought down to about Rs. 30,000 ($500).

(Also see: Isro Successfully Launches Sixth Navigational Satellite)

He also said that Isro will be flying its heaviest rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) powered by its own cryogenic engine.

"The rocket's carrying-capacity will be between 3.2-3.4 tonnes. It will carry the GSAT 19 communication satellite," Sivan added.

Apart from these, Isro has also lined up a series of other launches.

"Next month, the seventh navigation satellite-IRNSS-1G will be launched. This will be followed by the launch of India's Cartosat-cartography satellite - and a couple of small satellites in May. The two launches will be done using the PSLV (polar satellite launch vehicle) rockets," P. Kunhikrishnan, director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre told IANS.

"In August, communication satellite INSAT-3DR will be launched using GSLV (GSLV Mark II version)," Kunhikrishnan added.

 

[sorcerer]

The Military Importance of IRNSS Navigation System

Snapshot

• With the successful launch of the IRNSS-1F ISRO is only one satellite short of fully operationalising India’s own satellite positioning system.

• The importance of such a network can be understood from the fact that the Chinese built their own positioning system back in early years of this century, and have granted Pakistan access to the same.

• The planned completion of the IRNSS comes at exactly the much needed time-frame for the armed services.

With the successful launch of the IRNSS-1F ISRO is only one satellite short of fully operationalising India’s own satellite positioning system. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is envisaged to be a system of seven satellites, four of which will be in a geosynchronous orbit.
The remaining three would be in a geostationary orbit. These seven satellites together would help deliver navigation/positional accuracy of up to twenty metres in the strategically important Indian ocean region and up to an area of 1,500 km from the Indian landmass.


ISRO has laid special emphasis in ensuring all segments of the system - the ground control units, receivers and the space based units are produced in India and remain in Indian control. There has been ample indication that the primary customer of the system would be the Indian military, although there is enough scope for civilian use too.

The importance of such a network can be understood from the fact that the Chinese built their own positioning system back in early years of this century, and have granted Pakistan access to the same. The system now consists of nearly 20 satellites with likely full global coverage. The Russians and the Americans had built their own versions many decades ago.

The planned completion of the IRNSS comes at exactly the much needed time-frame for the armed services. A number of new platforms and initiatives are beginning to bear fruit - almost all of them could use access to a military grade positioning system that remains in India’s controls.
First, the locally built nuclear submarine INS Arihant has recently passed harbour, sea and weapons trials. It has been reported that the submarine could be inducted anytime and that an induction is only a ‘political call’ away.

INS Arihant would carry 12 K-15 medium range (700km) ballistic missiles or 4 K-4 long range (3500 km).ballistic missiles. While these systems may use other ways of positioning and navigation, an Indian GPS is sure to help and may even be a necessary prerequisite for a full scale deployment.
Hence the importance of positional accuracy and coverage in the Indian ocean region (IOR). Think a few more nuclear submarines safely lurking away in the depths of the IOR - beyond the reach of Chinese and Pakistani missiles.

Second, India’s ballistic missile program is ready for the big leap. If things go to plan, DRDO may test-fire its first canisterised long range ballistic missile capable of hitting targets 5,000 km away (Agni-V).

After pre-induction trials and a production run, the missiles are likely to be inducted around 2017-18. Once again, an Indian controlled navigation and positioning system is crucial to navigational accuracy and safety.

Third, on the tactical side a number of regiments of Brahmos cruise missile regiments have been inducted. Apart from Brahmos, the locally developed equivalent of the famous American Tomahawk cruise missiles (labelled Nirbhay) will mature at some point in the next 2-3 years. Both the Brahmos and Nirbhay are capable (and need) of using a satellite based navigation/positioning system for enhancing the accuracy of their reach.

Should all the above mentioned three areas go according to plan they offer a significant enhancement in terms of reach and accuracy of weapons delivery for the Indian armed forces. New capabilities are coming online - if the cruise missile program goes well Indian missile units in Uttar Pradesh or Assam could strike deep into Tibet without breaking a sweat.
Brahmos units could take our important bridges and communication nodes. A fleet of nuclear submarines loitering around the IOR armed with nuclear missiles quietly enhances India’s strategic posture multi-fold. All of them could use the IRNSS.

Lastly, the IRNSS may not be about just big ticket items such as long range missiles, nuclear weapons and cruise missiles alone. Locally built UAVs, aerospace platforms and even ground units could really feel the pinch if the positioning systems were in foreign hands during conflict time.

All of these put together are changing the nature of warfare and the battlefield in the subcontinent. The Americans, Chinese, EU and Russians underwent this transformation in the last two decades of the previous century. India is arriving quite late into the picture. But at-least the Desi-GPS is about to be ready.

Source>>

 

[sorcerer]

Research Being Done on Designing Re-Usable Satellites, Says Scientist

ISRO Ready to Fund Innovative Projects by Students, Says ISRO Scientist
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (ISRO) Project Director (RLV-TD) N. Shyam Mohan said research is going on designing satellites that can be reused. India can send re-useable satellites with indigenous technology by 2023, he said.

He inaugurated the two-day technical festival ‘Yantrik’, organised by Mechanical Department of Koneru Lakshmaiah University (KLU) on its campus at Vaddeswaram village in Guntur district on Friday.

Addressing the students, Mr. Shyam Mohan said the expense for one launch was very high as about 85 per cent of the raw material used for designing a satellite goes waste and the equipment cannot be used for another satellite.

ISRO Project Director N. Shyam Mohan speaking after inaugurating the technical festival at Koneru Lakshmaiah University in Guntur district

To minimise the cost, US, Russia and India are doing research on designing renewable satellites and India would achieve success soon, he said.

Stating that ISRO is ready to fund for innovative projects designed by students, the space scientist asked the students to focus on research activity and design Stud-Sats. Youth should come forward to design satellites with indigenous technology, he said.
Mr. Shyam Mohan explained how rockets are launched from the launch pad and the different stages of a satellite before being placed in the orbit.

“For research in Indian navigation, we launched six satellites and one more would be launched soon for attaining full-fledged technical knowledge. We successfully launched many rockets, thanks to the team spirit of ISRO scientists. If more funds are allocated we can take up more researches,” said the space scientist.

Interacting with the students, Mr. Shyam Mohan said many youth were vying for plum jobs but not research. He asked the budding engineers to throw light on research activity and help for the country for standing top in technology development.

KLU Vice-Chancellor L.S.S. Reddy, Pro Vice-Chancellor A.V.S. Prasad, Koneru Lakshmaiah Engineering College Principal Anand Kumar, Dean (Research) K.L. Narayana, Yantrik convenor A. Srinath, coordinators S. Srinivasa Rao, and K. Ramakotaiah participated.
Source>>

 

[Kshatriya87]

Research Being Done on Designing Re-Usable Satellites, Says Scientist

ISRO Ready to Fund Innovative Projects by Students, Says ISRO Scientist
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (ISRO) Project Director (RLV-TD) N. Shyam Mohan said research is going on designing satellites that can be reused. India can send re-useable satellites with indigenous technology by 2023, he said.

He inaugurated the two-day technical festival ‘Yantrik’, organised by Mechanical Department of Koneru Lakshmaiah University (KLU) on its campus at Vaddeswaram village in Guntur district on Friday.

Addressing the students, Mr. Shyam Mohan said the expense for one launch was very high as about 85 per cent of the raw material used for designing a satellite goes waste and the equipment cannot be used for another satellite.

ISRO Project Director N. Shyam Mohan speaking after inaugurating the technical festival at Koneru Lakshmaiah University in Guntur district

To minimise the cost, US, Russia and India are doing research on designing renewable satellites and India would achieve success soon, he said.

Stating that ISRO is ready to fund for innovative projects designed by students, the space scientist asked the students to focus on research activity and design Stud-Sats. Youth should come forward to design satellites with indigenous technology, he said.
Mr. Shyam Mohan explained how rockets are launched from the launch pad and the different stages of a satellite before being placed in the orbit.

“For research in Indian navigation, we launched six satellites and one more would be launched soon for attaining full-fledged technical knowledge. We successfully launched many rockets, thanks to the team spirit of ISRO scientists. If more funds are allocated we can take up more researches,” said the space scientist.

Interacting with the students, Mr. Shyam Mohan said many youth were vying for plum jobs but not research. He asked the budding engineers to throw light on research activity and help for the country for standing top in technology development.

KLU Vice-Chancellor L.S.S. Reddy, Pro Vice-Chancellor A.V.S. Prasad, Koneru Lakshmaiah Engineering College Principal Anand Kumar, Dean (Research) K.L. Narayana, Yantrik convenor A. Srinath, coordinators S. Srinivasa Rao, and K. Ramakotaiah participated.
Source>>

Reusable? How? Bring the satellites back to earth and then change the equipment?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Research Being Done on Designing Re-Usable Satellites, Says Scientist

ISRO Ready to Fund Innovative Projects by Students, Says ISRO Scientist
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (ISRO) Project Director (RLV-TD) N. Shyam Mohan said research is going on designing satellites that can be reused. India can send re-useable satellites with indigenous technology by 2023, he said.

He inaugurated the two-day technical festival ‘Yantrik’, organised by Mechanical Department of Koneru Lakshmaiah University (KLU) on its campus at Vaddeswaram village in Guntur district on Friday.

Addressing the students, Mr. Shyam Mohan said the expense for one launch was very high as about 85 per cent of the raw material used for designing a satellite goes waste and the equipment cannot be used for another satellite.

ISRO Project Director N. Shyam Mohan speaking after inaugurating the technical festival at Koneru Lakshmaiah University in Guntur district

To minimise the cost, US, Russia and India are doing research on designing renewable satellites and India would achieve success soon, he said.

Stating that ISRO is ready to fund for innovative projects designed by students, the space scientist asked the students to focus on research activity and design Stud-Sats. Youth should come forward to design satellites with indigenous technology, he said.
Mr. Shyam Mohan explained how rockets are launched from the launch pad and the different stages of a satellite before being placed in the orbit.

“For research in Indian navigation, we launched six satellites and one more would be launched soon for attaining full-fledged technical knowledge. We successfully launched many rockets, thanks to the team spirit of ISRO scientists. If more funds are allocated we can take up more researches,” said the space scientist.

Interacting with the students, Mr. Shyam Mohan said many youth were vying for plum jobs but not research. He asked the budding engineers to throw light on research activity and help for the country for standing top in technology development.

KLU Vice-Chancellor L.S.S. Reddy, Pro Vice-Chancellor A.V.S. Prasad, Koneru Lakshmaiah Engineering College Principal Anand Kumar, Dean (Research) K.L. Narayana, Yantrik convenor A. Srinath, coordinators S. Srinivasa Rao, and K. Ramakotaiah participated.
Source>>

Good Thing
It won't be much difficult for India as we have sent space capsules many times so won't be difficult.
We can demonstrate our robotic spaceflight which can later be integrated into our human spaceflight program.
It will reduce cost as well.
Bad Thing
We still use Israeli RISATs and our own indigenous but inferior Cartosats for reconnaissance.
CCI satellite is at least 4-5 years away.
So, any world class indigenous spy satellite we could dream to today is GEO HR IMAGER which was scheduled to be launched in mid 2017.
And demonstration of this satellite could help us to make one of the most powerful reconnaissance satellites on our new heavier LVs.
But I guess they will further delay that project because of this.
China has already launched world's most powerful satellite but our one is getting delayed for no reason.

Reusable? How? Bring the satellites back to earth and then change the equipment?

Just like space capsules. These satellites are put in unstable orbit and they come back on earth after completing the task.
Hence, you will launch satellite only when needed and will pack it up when work is done instead of letting your costly satellite rotten in space uselessly.
Fanhui Shi Weixing of China is similar.

But I guess we first must launch HR IMAGER similar to GaoFen 4.
Only after that we must make SATs similar to FSWs.

 

[Kshatriya87]

Good Thing
It won't be much difficult for India as we have sent space capsules many times so won't be difficult.
We can demonstrate our robotic spaceflight which can later be integrated into our human spaceflight program.
It will reduce cost as well.
Bad Thing
We still use Israeli RISATs and our own indigenous but inferior Cartosats for reconnaissance.
CCI satellite is at least 4-5 years away.
So, any world class indigenous spy satellite we could dream to today is GEO HR IMAGER which was scheduled to be launched in mid 2017.
And demonstration of this satellite could help us to make one of the most powerful reconnaissance satellites on our new heavier LVs.
But I guess they will further delay that project because of this.
China has already launched world's most powerful satellite but our one is getting delayed for no reason.

Just like space capsules. These satellites are put in unstable orbit and they come back on earth after completing the task.
Hence, you will launch satellite only when needed and will pack it up when work is done instead of letting your costly satellite rotten in space uselessly.
Fanhui Shi Weixing of China is similar.

But I guess we first must launch HR IMAGER similar to GaoFen 4.
Only after that we must make SATs similar to FSWs.

Pack it up? How? Bring back to earth or just turn it off and then turn back on when needed next time?

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