ISRO General News and Updates

[Indx TechStyle]

Story of the Week - Indian Space Research Organization
Antarctica Ground Station for Earth Observation Satellites (AGEOS)

ISRO has established the Antarctica Ground Station for Earth Observation Satellites (AGEOS), at Bharati Station, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica, for receiving Indian Remote sensing Satellite (IRS) data. This state-of-the-art advanced Ground station was commissioned during August 2013 and is receiving data from IRS satellites (like RESOURCESAT-2, RISAT-1, CARTOSAT-1) and transferring the same to NRSC, Shadnagar near Hyderabad. This extended data receive antenna system of Antarctica supplements Earth Observation (EO) data collection for ISRO. An Earth Station at Polar region has the advantage of visibility of 10 passes per day for each mission. This would provide global remote sensing data acquisition capability.

The remote sensing data recorded on the Solid State Recorder (SSR) onboard IRS Satellites are dumped at the AGEOS when the satellite passes over it and the SSR will be ready for recording data during the next pass. The data dumped at AGEOS is being transferred to NRSC, Shadnagar through a link established using a Communication Satellite.

In this regard, earlier a 3 m C-Band Earth station was also installed and commissioned at Maitri (71deg S, 11 deg E), Antarctica to provide a two-way Communication Link between Maitri, Antarctica and mainland India. At the time of installation and commissioning, this Earth station was characterised and tested using a 13 m antenna system at Master Control Facility (MCF), Hassan. Later on, a 7.2 m C- Band station was also installed and commissioned at the National Centre for Antarctica & Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa to establish a dedicated communication link for round the clock operation. This was designed to operate at a very low elevation angle for the video conferencing, video streaming and internet browsing applications. The link operates at a data rate of around 1 Mbps between Maitri and NCAOR. This Satcom station is providing the vital communication support to the Indian scientific community for pursuing their research work at Maitri throughout the year. With the commissioning of the Earth station at NCAOR, Goa, the Indian station, Maitri has been brought in the ambit of World Wide Web.

The AGEOS station at Bharati, (69deg S and 76deg E) receives payload data from IRS Satellite Missions in S/X-Band daily. A communication satellite link between Bharati and two stations in India (NRSC, Shadnagar and NCAOR, Goa) has been established with a bandwidth of 40 Mbps, which transfers about 100 GB/day Payload data dumped at Antarctica Station to NRSC, Shadnagar. Further Ancillary processing of all acquired data at AGEOS is carried out at NRSC, Shadnagar, from wherein the pre-processed products are made available in a common Storage Area Network (SAN) for further processing. Apart from this, AGEOS plays a crucial role in carrying out Uplink of Tele commands to current Indian Remote sensing Missions namely, RISAT-1, RESOURCESAT-2, CARTOSAT-1, CARTOSAT-2, CARTOSAT-2A, CARTOSAT-2B, SARAL-1 and OCEANSAT-2, including the recently launched CARTOSAT-2 series satellite.

The AGEOS is continuously operated and maintained by the Engineers of ISRO who are under deputation to Bharati Station, Antarctica on a regular basis.

Bharati Station at Larsemann Hills

(Foreground) Pile foundation for Antenna Terminal
(Background) Control Station building at Bharati

Maitri Earth Station, Antarctica

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Story of the Week - Archive
Aug 01, 2016 : Antarctica Ground Station for Earth Observation Satellites (AGEOS)
Jul 25, 2016 : ISRO's Participation in Antarctic Expedition
Jul 18, 2016 : Space-based Distance Learning for ITIs
Jul 09, 2016 : MOU Signed Between ISRO and MoRD for geo-tagging the assets of MGNREGA
Jul 04, 2016 : Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas released
Jun 27, 2016 : PSLV Upper Stage Engines (PS4) successfully restarted in space
Jun 19, 2016 : Indian First Communication Satellite – APPLE

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[HariPrasad-1]

This is the time to Scrap PSLV. It is too bulkey and carries only 1.5 tons. The time has come to develop new Semi cryo based rocket weighing almost half of PSLV and and may carry about 2 tons like China did some time ago. ISRO already has the technology but funding and cost may be the constrain. Government must allocate the fund and clear guide line. ISRO has already develop many technologies such as light material pumps and other LRUS substituting metal to reduce the weight of the launch vehicle. NEPE like fuel may also increase the efficiency of the vehicle. Our ultimate aim should be a half weighing vehicle with better payload.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

This is the time to Scrap PSLV. It is too bulkey and carries only 1.5 tons. The time has come to develop new Semi cryo based rocket weighing almost half of PSLV and and may carry about 2 tons like China did some time ago. ISRO already has the technology but funding and cost may be the constrain. Government must allocate the fund and clear guide line. ISRO has already develop many technologies such as light material pumps and other LRUS substituting metal to reduce the weight of the launch vehicle. NEPE like fuel may also increase the efficiency of the vehicle. Our ultimate aim should be a half weighing vehicle with better payload.

It is cheap (very cheap) and reliable enough to keep it in market for next 20 years. Make new rockets but it's too early to retire this horse of success.

United States, Former USSR/modern Russian Federation have conducted 100+ launches of their successful launchers. We must complete at least 50.
And mark my words,
ISRO is going to privatize completely in few years. As we know, PSLV is cheap and reliable, even if ISRO stops using it, private companies will keep using it for many years because PSLV is a revenue generator.
Am I wrong?

 

[Chinmoy]

Isro to finally launch IIT-B's satellite from Sriharikota space centre in September

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-centre-in-September/articleshow/53496056.cms

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO launching new satellite and boosting the manufacturing of more
A good weather forecast for Indian Space industry?

In 2013, from the grounds of French Guiana, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had successfully launched the advance weather satellite ‘INSAT-3D’. ISRO is now set to launch the geostationary weather satellite, INSAT-3DR, from India’s rocket port, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on the south-eastern coast.

A heavy rocket, the geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-Mk II), will launch the satellite by the end of August 2016. It will be followed by the launch of ScatSat- a weather monitoring and forecasting satellite –with polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), in September 2016.

As of July 2016, thirty four launches have been made using the PSLV, which has also launched nearly 60 foreign satellites so far in its yet productive history.

ISRO is targeting to increase the number of its satellite and rocket launches from the current six-eight per year to 12-18 annually.

Launch of GSLV-Mk-III, is expected by year end. It will carry communication satellite GSAT 19 weighing around 3.2 ton – the heaviest satellite to be lifted by an Indian rocket from Sriharikota.

ISRO will also be testing its scramjet or air breathing engine for future use to power Indian rockets.

Boosting Indian spacecraft manufacturing

ISRO is eliciting industry support for spacecraft realisation on an ‘end-to-end’ basis to rapidly meet the increasing national demand for space based services. It had organised a conference on Enabling Spacecraft Systems Realisation (ESSRI-2016) at its satellite centre in Bengaluru in June 2016, for the same.

The space agency has been outsourcing a lot of models from Indian industries which manufacture subsystems of spacecrafts. But now, the gap to the manufacturing of an end-to-end Indian spacecraft by domestic manufacturers, is trying to be filled.

ISRO’s requirements in respect to hardware, technologies, and quality and delivery schedule are expected to be met by industries which will be its qualified vendors, even if it is a lengthy and challenging process.

Indian private companies like Godrej and Boyce, Larsen and Turbo, MTAR and Walchandnagar Industries have partnered with ISRO in producing a major percentage of launch vehicle parts and sub-units.

To further boost private sector partnerships in Indian PSLV mission, ISRO will be launching two new space parks, one in Bengaluru and another at Sriharikota. These parks are supposed to encourage new partnerships and domestic participation in integrating sub-systems to assemble and launch rockets.

The space agency is not only engaging the domestic sector but is also preparing it in a way that will eventually make way for the consortium that will build and launch the Indian space work-horse PSLV rockets, thus delegating an end-to-end responsibility to these companies.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

It is cheap (very cheap) and reliable enough to keep it in market for next 20 years. Make new rockets but it's too early to retire this horse of success.

United States, Former USSR/modern Russian Federation have conducted 100+ launches of their successful launchers. We must complete at least 50.
And mark my words,
ISRO is going to privatize completely in few years. As we know, PSLV is cheap and reliable, even if ISRO stops using it, private companies will keep using it for many years because PSLV is a revenue generator.
Am I wrong?

You are absolutely right. However we must not loose focus on R & D and new technology else we may find ourselves in a great trouble some time in future. PSLV is low cost and highly reliable but imagine if you develop a half weight vehicle with semi cryo engine. How much cost effective would it be? This is the right time for ISRO to come up with a new vehicle in next 5 years. If they can make it cheaper than PSLV, other space agencies will literally will piss in their pant (More than what they are pissing right now).

 

[HariPrasad-1]

And yes, ISRO must focus on developing of technology but than it should transfer the technology and take royalty only. Scientist must not focus their time in assembling the vehicle.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

You are absolutely right. However we must not loose focus on R & D and new technology else we may find ourselves in a great trouble some time in future. PSLV is low cost and highly reliable but imagine if you develop a half weight vehicle with semi cryo engine. How much cost effective would it be? This is the right time for ISRO to come up with a new vehicle in next 5 years. If they can make it cheaper than PSLV, other space agencies will literally will piss in their pant (More than what they are pissing right now).

And yes, ISRO must focus on developing of technology but than it should transfer the technology and take royalty only. Scientist must not focus their time in assembling the vehicle.

Well, ISRO is developing ULV series and probably ULV - 1 can play role of PSLV.
I was just telling you that PSLV won't be out of service anytime soon.
If not ISRO, private companies will be using it for decades till they develop their own.

 

[rishivashista13]

You are absolutely right. However we must not loose focus on R & D and new technology else we may find ourselves in a great trouble some time in future. PSLV is low cost and highly reliable but imagine if you develop a half weight vehicle with semi cryo engine. How much cost effective would it be? This is the right time for ISRO to come up with a new vehicle in next 5 years. If they can make it cheaper than PSLV, other space agencies will literally will piss in their pant (More than what they are pissing right now).

Yes , that's why ISRO is working very hard on TSTO and then SSTO . Once achieved , it will be great success .

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[Akask kumar]

any updates about scramjet test?? can we expect it before GSLV MK 2 laucnh??

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Yes , that's why ISRO is working very hard on TSTO and then SSTO . Once achieved , it will be great success .

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What are TSTO and SSTO? ...............

 

[Indx TechStyle]

What are TSTO and SSTO? ...............

TSTO stands for Two Stage To Orbit.
SSTO stands for Single Stage To Orbit.
These concepts are cheap, more efficient. Space Shuttles also work on these principles.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO's rocket launch this month could change space agency's fortunes

Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) D6 carrying GSAT-6, lifts off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh​

Global communication satellite makers will be keenly looking at an Indian rocket launch later this month.

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II is expected make its first operational flight, taking a two tonne weather communication satellite into space on August 28.

So far, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has only launched experimental GSLV launchers to prove the technology to carry two tonne satellites into the geostationary transit orbit (GTO), where communication satellites are parked.

Since its first launch in 2001 using a Russian cryogenic upper stage, ISRO has so far done nine launches, including two with cryogenic stage that it built on its own. The space agency has also successfully launched a smaller version of GSLV Mark III, a rocket with a newer design that can eventually carry four tonne communication satellites or for India's manned space mission in the lower orbit.

The August launch of GSLV Mark II, which will carry the INSAT-3DR — a weather communication satellite, similar to one launched in 2013, is a milestone for ISRO as this rocket would then be operationally proven, crucial for its commercial satellite business, a ISRO spokesperson said.

Currently, ISRO uses the Arianespace rocket of the European Space Agency to hurl its commercial communication satellites into space. At the same time, GSLV will also help Isro tap into the growing market for two tonne communication satellites globally.

"Both (GSLV) Mark II and III launches, if successful could partially reduce ISRO's dependency on foreign launchers," Maxime Puteaux, a Space industry policy consultant at Euroconsult, the Paris-based space research agency said. "Although for commercial launches to GEO, GSLV Mark III is too small for most of the satellites that are more than 4 tons. For satellites less than 4 tons, it could be competitive on price provided it is available (i.e. not booked by the satellites of the Indian government)."

The first launch of GSLV Mark III, ISRO's heaviest rocket will be in December.

So far, ISRO has leveraged its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to serve global customers to hurl smaller satellites on the lower earth orbit. Since two decades of its first launch, it has done 35 flights, hurling over 86 satellites, including 45 foreign small and medium satellites. Now ISRO is planning to outsource the entire rocket integration to a industry consortium, which include firms such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Larsen and Toubro Ltd, Godrej aerospace, Bengaluru-based Avasara Technologies and Walchandnagar Industries. It is looking to triple launch capacity in a year to 18 with this approach.

"If you are able to build on top of what we've built PSLV commercialisation and make it more attractive, there is a possibility that the Indian industry can also gain in this global opportunity," said ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar in a recent interview. "We are looking at the possibility of whether that Indian industry plus ISRO, whether they can launch the first vehicle in 2020. Beyond that, they can not only provide satellite launches for us, they can also market outside."

ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation markets these services to customers globally. The outsourcing effort would also help ISRO drive costs down to make the rocket launch more affordable as global competition catches up. More than 25 new space companies are attempting to build rockets, most of them in the United States, eyeing the global satellite opportunity.

SpaceX, the rocket firm of Tesla founder Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, the firm owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, are in the forefront. But, firms such as Rocket Lab and Firefly Systems are also joining this race.

"Pricing and export control are another condition of GSLV's commercial success abroad. Indeed, by embedding sensitive technologies, the launch of satellites abroad requires the authorization of the government where it was manufactured. Currently these regulations can create barrier to new entrants," says Puteaux of Euroconsult.

ISRO so far has been able to launch American satellites on its PSLV rocket, largely due to the shortage of local launchers in the US. But red flags are being raised by the US policymakers on allowing the launch of US satellites on Indian launchers, a move that could potentially be protectionist as US rocket firms build and scale their technology to hurl satellites into space.

"As of today PSLV has launched several small satellites but the US government considers that its pricing is below market prices and creates an unfair competition to US launch providers. Therefore, currently the US government trade representative has enacted a ban on PSLV but grants waivers as the US small satellites operators have no alternative option domestically," said Puteaux. "The extension of this ban to GSLV is uncertain yet and subject to both Antrix's pricing of PSLV and GSLV and the evolution of US trade representative's policy following the expected availability of new dedicated small satellite launchers such as Firefly's Alpha, Rocket Lab's Electron and Virgin Galactic's Launcher One in the coming two years.

Please note that there has been a proposal to enchance capacity of GSLV Mk3 from 4 tonnes to 6 tonnes to GTO.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cit...-a-Revised-Plan/2015/03/02/article2693939.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...heavy-lift-launch-vehicles/article7262881.ece

 

[rishivashista13]

ISRO's rocket launch this month could change space agency's fortunes

Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) D6 carrying GSAT-6, lifts off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh​

Please note that there has been a proposal to enchance capacity of GSLV Mk3 from 4 tonnes to 6 tonnes to GTO.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cit...-a-Revised-Plan/2015/03/02/article2693939.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...heavy-lift-launch-vehicles/article7262881.ece

Will it use the cryogenic engine , made by ISRO ?

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[Indx TechStyle]

Will it use the cryogenic engine , made by ISRO ?

Sent from my Micromax Q380 using Tapatalk

Yes off course, it will have.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ch...y-capacity-launcher-by-2016-expert/92295.html
Further, it gonna launch a GSAT-20 in late 2017 in it's third flight.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Will it use the cryogenic engine , made by ISRO ?

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Yes.

It has been successfully used in past too.

A high power cryogenic engine is also made by ISRO. It shall be used first time in December launch by GSLV MKIII.

 

[rishivashista13]

Yes.

It has been successfully used in past too.

A high power cryogenic engine is also made by ISRO. It shall be used first time in December launch by GSLV MKIII.

I think , that is a semi cryogenic engine which ISRO is using till now . Right !

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[HariPrasad-1]

I think , that is a semi cryogenic engine which ISRO is using till now . Right !

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No It is not semi cryogenic. It is cryogenic engine. Semi cryogenic engine is under development.

 

[rishivashista13]

No It is not semi cryogenic. It is cryogenic engine. Semi cryogenic engine is under development.

Yaar , what are the difference between cryogenic engine , semi cryogenic engine , hi power cryogenic engine , and any other type of cryogenic engine that ISRO have ?

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[mayfair]

Yaar , what are the difference between cryogenic engine , semi cryogenic engine , hi power cryogenic engine , and any other type of cryogenic engine that ISRO have ?

Cryogenic engines are powered by a mix of Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Hydrogen as oxidiser and fuel. To achieve liquefaction of these gases, they must be stored at very low temperatures, hence the name cryogenic (cryo= icy cold).

Semi cryo engines still use Liquid oxygen as the oxidiser, but instead of liquid hydrogen they use highly refined Kerosene as fuel. Only one component (Liquid oxygen) needs to be stored at low temperature, hence the name semi-cryogenic.