ISRO General News and Updates

[Prashant12]

Isro to launch slew of military satellites soon


NEW DELHI: Amid preparations for its high-profile Rs 800 crore Chandrayaan-2 mission scheduled for an October launch, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is also gearing up to launch a slew of important satellites in the coming months.

Some of these satellites are significant for strategic reasons as they will help the military keep an eye on our hostile neighbours and safeguard our land and sea borders.

Isro will launch a dedicated satellite, Gsat-7A, for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September and an advanced remote sensing satellite, Risat-2A, for surveillance purpose by the end of the year.

Gsat-7A, which will be lifted by a GSLV Mk II rocket, will enable the IAF to interlink different ground radar stations, airbases and AWACS aircraft. It will also boost the IAF’s network-centric warfare capabilities and enhance its global operations.

The satellite will be similar to Gsat-7 or Rukmini, which was launched on September 29, 2013, exclusively for the Navy. Rukmini has helped the Navy monitor the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as the satellite has a nearly 2,000 nautical mile ‘footprint’ and provides real-time inputs to Indian warships, submarines and maritime aircraft and also boosts the force’s networking capabilities on the high seas. Rukmini, considered the Navy’s ‘eye in the sky’, is also being used to keep tabs on Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean.

Risat-2A, which will be launched by the end of this year by a PSLV rocket, is an advanced remote sensing satellite that will boost the country’s surveillance capabilities.

The satellite, which will carry a sophisticated synthetic aperture radar that operates at 5.35 GHz in C band, will help in earth observation irrespective of the light and weather conditions of the area.

Risat-2A, which can be used for civilian purpose, will primarily be used for land mapping but will also be significant for analysis of the ocean surface. Risat-2A will be the third in the series of Risat satellites.

After the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008, Risat-2 satellite took priority over Risat-1 and was launched in April 2009 as the former carried an Israelbuilt X-band radar, which boosted surveillance capabilities of the security forces.

Cartosat-2 series satellite, launched on January 12, is also a remote sensing satellite and significant for the military too as its panchromatic camera can produce images less than 1 metre in resolution.

In fact, it is said that the Army used images from the earlier Cartosat satellite to plan the surgical strikes on Pakistan terror launchpads in September 2016.

Besides the military satellites, Isro will also launch its “heaviest satellite ever” Gsat-11 weighing 5.7 tonnes from French Guiana by June.

The heavy-duty communication satellite is so massive that each solar panel is over four metres long, equivalent to the size of a room.

The high-throughput satellite, which will carry 40 transponders in the Ku-band and Kaband frequencies, is capable of “providing high bandwidth connectivity” with up to 14 gigabit per second (gbps) data transfer speed.




Gsat-29, which too is a communication satellite, will be the launched by the second developmental flight of Isro’s heaviest rocket GSLV Mk III in June. It will carry multi-beam and optical communication payloads.


Isro chairman Dr K Sivan told TOI, “Together, all these heavy-duty Gsats will provide high-bandwidth connectivity of up to 100 gigabit per second. They will provide high-speed internet connectivity in rural areas as well and help bridge the digital divide.”

With almost one launch every month, 2018 will be a busy year for Isro.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIDesktop

 

[Kshithij]

Gsat-29, which too is a communication satellite, will be the launched by the second developmental flight of Isro’s heaviest rocket GSLV Mk III in June. It will carry multi-beam and optical communication payloads.

What is this optical communication payloads?

 

[Chinmoy]

What is this optical communication payloads?

Its still in its nascent stage and I think ISRO too is trying to study this.

It is basically a simple method of transmitting signals in between two satellites by LASER or light instead of radio waves.

Till now other satellites with this capability are only for study purposes rather then practical use. Lets see what ISRO is upto.

 

[Trinetra]

GSAT-11 launch postponed as Isro wants additional checks

HIGHLIGHTS

• The satellite, which had already reached the launch site will now have to be brought back
• Sources said that the Isro will now conduct a few more additional tests on the satellite as a precaution and to rectify glitches
• The GSAT-11 was one of Isro’s high profile launches this year, with other satellites including GSAT-19 planned for later.

BENGALURU: Just weeks after the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) lose contact with GSAT-6A, the launch of another powerful communication satellite with military applications—GSAT-11—has been postponed.

The 5,725-kg satellite, which was scheduled for a May 25 by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana, was expected to usher in an age of high-speed internet connectivity that could provide speeds of up to 14 Gbps (gigabit per second).

Sources said that the Isro will now conduct a few more additional tests on the satellite as a precaution and to rectify glitches. The satellite, which had already reached the launch site will now have to be brought back.

The satellite, whose revised launch schedule could not be confirmed immediately, will carry 40 transponders in the Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies, “It provides 32 user beams in Ku-band and eight gateway beams in Ka-band,” Isro had said.

While no official confirmation was available from Isro, Arianespace, while confirming the postponement, said in a statement: “Due to additional technical checks with the Isro GSAT-11 satellite, to be conducted from the Isro Satellite Centre located at Bengaluru, the Ariane 5 launch initially planned for May 25, 2018, has been postponed.”

While Ariane said that none of its other scheduled launched is impacted, sources said that the GSAT-11 developed a few technical problems after reaching the launch site. The satellite had reached French Guiana on March 30.

The GSAT-11 was one of Isro’s high profile launches this year, with other satellites including GSAT-19 planned for later.

 

[Kshithij]

Fire breaks out at ISRO campus in Ahmedabad

A fire broke out in the Space Applications Centre (SAC) at the ISRO campus situated in the Satellite area of Ahmedabad West on Thursday.

Ten vehicles of the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services(AFES) and ambulances were rushed to the spot to deal with the emergency situation.

Fire at ISRO campus in Ahmedabad


According to sources, the fire erupted in the central air conditioning unit of the SAC. There were no reports of any casualty till the report was filed.

Ambulance rushed to deal with the emergency

 

[Kshithij]

UPDATES:

Fire Breaks Out At ISRO High-Tech Facility At Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Thick smoke was seen emanating this afternoon from one of India's most important space laboratories in Ahmedabad. A fire broke out possibly due to a short circuit in a major facility of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Ahmedabad, called the Space Applications Centre (SAC), the city's fire department said.

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) guard was injured due to inhalation of smoke in the fire incident.


Dr Tapan Misra, Director of Space Applications Center (SAC), told NDTV that the "antenna test facility" had caught fire and some specialised equipment has been damaged.

He said "no satellite payload" has been lost. Mr Misra said none of the 30-40 ISRO scientists who normally work in the facility have been injured. The SAC has an annual budget of Rs. 1,000 crore.

Mr Misra told NDTV the police will investigate the cause of the fire and both foul play and sabotage will be looked into as part of the detailed inquest.

The SAC is one of the most important hi-tech laboratories of the Indian space agency and it is involved in making specialised components for India's satellites. Almost all Indian satellites have instruments built at SAC. Many components for India's Chandrayaan-2 mission are made at SAC.


Mr Misra said the fire was contained to one room in building number 37, inside the sprawling complex of the ISRO, housed in the middle of Ahmedabad.

The standard operating procedure to mitigate accidents at the space facility kicked in and the fire was doused before it could spread to other buildings or cause more extensive damage, he said.

The ISRO has been having a string of mishaps in the last one year. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or the PLSV rocket failed on August 31, 2017 taking down a navigation satellite. The failure was attributed to the non-opening of the heat shield of the rocket.

A fire truck arrives at the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad after a fire broke out at the facility

On April 1 this year, India's communications satellite GSAT 6A was lost in space, possibly due to a failure in the power and antennae system of this important communications satellite that cost upwards of Rs. 270 crore.

In the wake of the loss of the GSAT 6A satellite as part of "abundant caution", ISRO decided to recall its mega communications satellite GSAT 11. This was already airlifted to Kourou in South America to be launched by the Ariane-5 rocket.

At least 25 fire trucks and 10 ambulances have arrived at the facility. Ahmedabad district collector Vikrant Pandey, who reached the facility immediately on hearing about the fire, said the research centre building which was vacant at the time was completely engulfed by flames. "A major fire broke out at the research centre inside the sprawling SAC campus on the city's outskirts this afternoon," an Ahmedabad fire department officer said. After being alerted about the fire, additional chief fire officer Rajesh Bhatt and other senior officers rushed to the spot.

Mr Bhatt said it will take some more hours to douse the flames completely.

 

[AMCA]

UPDATES:

Fire Breaks Out At ISRO High-Tech Facility At Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Thick smoke was seen emanating this afternoon from one of India's most important space laboratories in Ahmedabad. A fire broke out possibly due to a short circuit in a major facility of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Ahmedabad, called the Space Applications Centre (SAC), the city's fire department said.

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) guard was injured due to inhalation of smoke in the fire incident.


Dr Tapan Misra, Director of Space Applications Center (SAC), told NDTV that the "antenna test facility" had caught fire and some specialised equipment has been damaged.

He said "no satellite payload" has been lost. Mr Misra said none of the 30-40 ISRO scientists who normally work in the facility have been injured. The SAC has an annual budget of Rs. 1,000 crore.

Mr Misra told NDTV the police will investigate the cause of the fire and both foul play and sabotage will be looked into as part of the detailed inquest.

The SAC is one of the most important hi-tech laboratories of the Indian space agency and it is involved in making specialised components for India's satellites. Almost all Indian satellites have instruments built at SAC. Many components for India's Chandrayaan-2 mission are made at SAC.


Mr Misra said the fire was contained to one room in building number 37, inside the sprawling complex of the ISRO, housed in the middle of Ahmedabad.

The standard operating procedure to mitigate accidents at the space facility kicked in and the fire was doused before it could spread to other buildings or cause more extensive damage, he said.

The ISRO has been having a string of mishaps in the last one year. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or the PLSV rocket failed on August 31, 2017 taking down a navigation satellite. The failure was attributed to the non-opening of the heat shield of the rocket.

A fire truck arrives at the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad after a fire broke out at the facility

On April 1 this year, India's communications satellite GSAT 6A was lost in space, possibly due to a failure in the power and antennae system of this important communications satellite that cost upwards of Rs. 270 crore.

In the wake of the loss of the GSAT 6A satellite as part of "abundant caution", ISRO decided to recall its mega communications satellite GSAT 11. This was already airlifted to Kourou in South America to be launched by the Ariane-5 rocket.

At least 25 fire trucks and 10 ambulances have arrived at the facility. Ahmedabad district collector Vikrant Pandey, who reached the facility immediately on hearing about the fire, said the research centre building which was vacant at the time was completely engulfed by flames. "A major fire broke out at the research centre inside the sprawling SAC campus on the city's outskirts this afternoon," an Ahmedabad fire department officer said. After being alerted about the fire, additional chief fire officer Rajesh Bhatt and other senior officers rushed to the spot.

Mr Bhatt said it will take some more hours to douse the flames completely.

Hmmmmmm...............................We already have two of our nuclear submarines out of commission. Launch of our military communication satellite failed last year....We all know about Sindhurakshak mishap. Someone is targeting our strategic assets.............

 

[AMCA]

According to recent updates, the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) of ISRO has undergone autonomous runway Landing with landing gear and low subsonic tests completed at IIT, Kanpur. Now a scaled-up version of RLV will be developed to carryout an Orbital Re-entry experiment.
Was dropped from a helicopter..........

 

[Prashant12]

Isro develops desi atomic clock, to be used in navigation satellites


NEW DELHI: In a significant development, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has developed an atomic clock that will be used in navigation satellites to measure precise location data. The space agency currently imports atomic clocks from European aerospace manufacturer Astrium for its navigation satellites.

Tapan Misra, director of Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre (SAC), said, “SAC has developed an indigenous atomic clock and this clock is currently undergoing a series of qualification tests. Once it successfully clears all tests, the desi atomic clock will be used in an experimental navigation satellite to test its accuracy and durability in space.”

The SAC director said, “With the development of the desi atomic clock, Isro has become one of the few space organisations in the world which have gained the capability to develop this highly sophisticated technology. We don't know the design and technology of the imported atomic clock. But the desi clock has been developed based on our designs and specifications. This clock is as good as the imported one. We are hopeful that it will easily work for more than five years.”

All seven navigation satellites launched earlier as part of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) or NaVIC have three imported Rubdium atomic clocks each.

On functioning of these atomic clocks, Tapan Misra said, “Atomic clocks in all the seven satellites launched earlier are synchronised. The time difference between the atomic clocks of different satellites positioned at different orbits are used to measure the accurate positioning of a navigation receiver or an object on the Earth.

If an atomic clock malfunctions, the time difference calculated between it and other clocks is not accurate which, in turn, gives inaccurate positioning of an object. Besides atomic clocks, a navigation satellite also has crystal clocks but they are not accurate as atomic clocks. Therefore, if three atomic clocks of a satellite show error, we need to launch a back-up satellite with new atomic clocks."

According to a reliable source in Isro, nine of the 21 atomic clocks used in some of the seven navigation satellites launched are showing error. Isro is, therefore, planning to launch four backup navigation satellites to keep the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NaVIC) effective. These backup satellites, which are likely to have indigenous atomic clocks too, will add buffer to the desi GPS system. “Isro will first need financial clearance from the government for the backup satellites,” says the source.

Last month on April 12, Isro successfully launched navsat IRNSS-1I to replace India's first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A, whose three atomic clocks had stopped working two years ago. IRNSS-1I thus completed the constellation of seven functional navsats needed in space to keep the NaVIC operational.
Tapan Misra said, "Atomic clocks have sophisticated technology. They could stop working because of different reasons. It's not only Indian navigation satellites, but atomic clocks in satellites of Galileo (European Union's navigation satellite system) had also failed earlier."

NAVIC was approved by the government nearly 12 years ago at a cost of Rs 1,420 crore to establish an indigenous satellite based navigation system to provide position, navigation and timing services over the Indian landmass and surrounding region extending up to 1,500 km. Though the indigenous navigation system is very much operational, it is not as popular as the American GPS in the country because the receiver and mobile chipset needed to access the desi system have not been commercialised.


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...avigation-satellites/articleshow/64056352.cms

 

[Flame Thrower]

Isro develops desi atomic clock, to be used in navigation satellites


NEW DELHI: In a significant development, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has developed an atomic clock that will be used in navigation satellites to measure precise location data. The space agency currently imports atomic clocks from European aerospace manufacturer Astrium for its navigation satellites.

Tapan Misra, director of Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre (SAC), said, “SAC has developed an indigenous atomic clock and this clock is currently undergoing a series of qualification tests. Once it successfully clears all tests, the desi atomic clock will be used in an experimental navigation satellite to test its accuracy and durability in space.”

The SAC director said, “With the development of the desi atomic clock, Isro has become one of the few space organisations in the world which have gained the capability to develop this highly sophisticated technology. We don't know the design and technology of the imported atomic clock. But the desi clock has been developed based on our designs and specifications. This clock is as good as the imported one. We are hopeful that it will easily work for more than five years.”

All seven navigation satellites launched earlier as part of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) or NaVIC have three imported Rubdium atomic clocks each.

On functioning of these atomic clocks, Tapan Misra said, “Atomic clocks in all the seven satellites launched earlier are synchronised. The time difference between the atomic clocks of different satellites positioned at different orbits are used to measure the accurate positioning of a navigation receiver or an object on the Earth.

If an atomic clock malfunctions, the time difference calculated between it and other clocks is not accurate which, in turn, gives inaccurate positioning of an object. Besides atomic clocks, a navigation satellite also has crystal clocks but they are not accurate as atomic clocks. Therefore, if three atomic clocks of a satellite show error, we need to launch a back-up satellite with new atomic clocks."

According to a reliable source in Isro, nine of the 21 atomic clocks used in some of the seven navigation satellites launched are showing error. Isro is, therefore, planning to launch four backup navigation satellites to keep the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NaVIC) effective. These backup satellites, which are likely to have indigenous atomic clocks too, will add buffer to the desi GPS system. “Isro will first need financial clearance from the government for the backup satellites,” says the source.

Last month on April 12, Isro successfully launched navsat IRNSS-1I to replace India's first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A, whose three atomic clocks had stopped working two years ago. IRNSS-1I thus completed the constellation of seven functional navsats needed in space to keep the NaVIC operational.
Tapan Misra said, "Atomic clocks have sophisticated technology. They could stop working because of different reasons. It's not only Indian navigation satellites, but atomic clocks in satellites of Galileo (European Union's navigation satellite system) had also failed earlier."

NAVIC was approved by the government nearly 12 years ago at a cost of Rs 1,420 crore to establish an indigenous satellite based navigation system to provide position, navigation and timing services over the Indian landmass and surrounding region extending up to 1,500 km. Though the indigenous navigation system is very much operational, it is not as popular as the American GPS in the country because the receiver and mobile chipset needed to access the desi system have not been commercialised.


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...avigation-satellites/articleshow/64056352.cms

Long overdue.......

After atomic clock failure in one of our navigational satellites(IRNNS 1A,if I am not wrong)

 

[AMCA]

Isro develops desi atomic clock, to be used in navigation satellites


NEW DELHI: In a significant development, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has developed an atomic clock that will be used in navigation satellites to measure precise location data. The space agency currently imports atomic clocks from European aerospace manufacturer Astrium for its navigation satellites.

Tapan Misra, director of Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre (SAC), said, “SAC has developed an indigenous atomic clock and this clock is currently undergoing a series of qualification tests. Once it successfully clears all tests, the desi atomic clock will be used in an experimental navigation satellite to test its accuracy and durability in space.”

The SAC director said, “With the development of the desi atomic clock, Isro has become one of the few space organisations in the world which have gained the capability to develop this highly sophisticated technology. We don't know the design and technology of the imported atomic clock. But the desi clock has been developed based on our designs and specifications. This clock is as good as the imported one. We are hopeful that it will easily work for more than five years.”

All seven navigation satellites launched earlier as part of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) or NaVIC have three imported Rubdium atomic clocks each.

On functioning of these atomic clocks, Tapan Misra said, “Atomic clocks in all the seven satellites launched earlier are synchronised. The time difference between the atomic clocks of different satellites positioned at different orbits are used to measure the accurate positioning of a navigation receiver or an object on the Earth.

If an atomic clock malfunctions, the time difference calculated between it and other clocks is not accurate which, in turn, gives inaccurate positioning of an object. Besides atomic clocks, a navigation satellite also has crystal clocks but they are not accurate as atomic clocks. Therefore, if three atomic clocks of a satellite show error, we need to launch a back-up satellite with new atomic clocks."

According to a reliable source in Isro, nine of the 21 atomic clocks used in some of the seven navigation satellites launched are showing error. Isro is, therefore, planning to launch four backup navigation satellites to keep the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NaVIC) effective. These backup satellites, which are likely to have indigenous atomic clocks too, will add buffer to the desi GPS system. “Isro will first need financial clearance from the government for the backup satellites,” says the source.

Last month on April 12, Isro successfully launched navsat IRNSS-1I to replace India's first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A, whose three atomic clocks had stopped working two years ago. IRNSS-1I thus completed the constellation of seven functional navsats needed in space to keep the NaVIC operational.
Tapan Misra said, "Atomic clocks have sophisticated technology. They could stop working because of different reasons. It's not only Indian navigation satellites, but atomic clocks in satellites of Galileo (European Union's navigation satellite system) had also failed earlier."

NAVIC was approved by the government nearly 12 years ago at a cost of Rs 1,420 crore to establish an indigenous satellite based navigation system to provide position, navigation and timing services over the Indian landmass and surrounding region extending up to 1,500 km. Though the indigenous navigation system is very much operational, it is not as popular as the American GPS in the country because the receiver and mobile chipset needed to access the desi system have not been commercialised.


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...avigation-satellites/articleshow/64056352.cms

After imported atomic clock failed in IRNSS-1A, ISRO developed one on their own..............Good job..

 

[G10]

Its not just 1a. All 3 on 1a failed and some are limping with one or 2 functional clocks. But they claim even one clock is good enough.

 

[G10]

http://idrw.org/isro-to-test-space-robustness-of-indigenous-atomic-clocks-this-december/#more-169967
We should have a separate thread for IRNSS and related development.

 

[Kshithij]

http://idrw.org/isro-to-test-space-robustness-of-indigenous-atomic-clocks-this-december/#more-169967
We should have a separate thread for IRNSS and related development.

All of these fall under ISRO itself. It will be meaningless if satellites are excluded from ISRO thread.

By the way, India had already developed the technology for Indian clocks. Until India had developed the technology, western countries refused to sell their clock fearing reverse engineering. But once the technology was developed, they offered the clock to India and the traitorous UPA govt imported it and stopped further development of Indian clocks

 

[G10]

Not all satellites just IRNSS system and satellites. Whats the point having long threads with all in it? It just makes difficult to read and locate points of interest.

 

[cobra commando]

LPSC to propel ISRO in developing Light craft and RLV

 

[darshan978]

LPSC to propel ISRO in developing Light craft and RLV

SEMI-CRYOGENIC IN 30 MONTHS WOW NICE..........WAITING FOR NEXT GSLV MK3 LAUNCH IT WILL BE HUGE STEP FORWARD

 

[indiatester]

Trial Of Satellite-Based System For Unmanned Crossings Complete: ISRO

The Indian Railways has completed the year-long phase one of the trial of the satellite-based system for unmanned crossings and its performance has been satisfactory, the Indian Space Research Organisation has said. Using integrated circuit chips developed by ISRO on train engines and the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, road users were informed about an approaching train through hooters installed at the crossings.Space Applications Centre director Tapan Misra said that system functioned smoothly under all conditions. The Research Designs & Standards Organisation has submitted a report on the functioning of the system suggesting some modifications.

 

[G10]

SEMI-CRYOGENIC IN 30 MONTHS WOW NICE..........WAITING FOR NEXT GSLV MK3 LAUNCH IT WILL BE HUGE STEP FORWARD

With no news of test this claim seems to be brain fart.

 

[Kshithij]

With no news of test this claim seems to be brain fart.

This was said when GSLV Mk3 was launched. India is planning for 6tonne launch vehicle without increasing the size of launch vehicle by using semi-cryogenic engines. ISRO tests go on inside the test centres. The laboratory tests are going on for over a year now.