ISRO General News and Updates

[Akula]

Agnikul Cosmos and another startup is also working on a Metholox engine.

*Bellatrix Aerospace is the another startup which is working on Metholox engine for their Chetak rocket.

 

[sorcerer]

ISRO initiates ‘Project NETRA’ to safeguard Indian space assets from debris and other harm

In the middle of its two-month Chandrayaan-2 campaign, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) last month quietly initiated ‘Project NETRA’ – an early warning system in space to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites.

The project estimated to cost ₹400 crore, when in place, will give India its own capability in space situational awareness (SSA) like the other space powers — which is used to ‘predict’ threats from debris to Indian satellites. It also goes so far as to serve as an unstated warning against missile or space attack for the country, experts say.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/s...rom-debris-and-other-harm/article29497795.ece


I also need satellites with ROBOTIC arms to patrol the space!
Its a shady business out there they say!!

 

[republic_roi97]

I also need satellites with ROBOTIC arms to patrol the space!
Its a shady business out there they say!!

How about adding a CIWS ? Just saying an AK630 or phalynx would do well. Brrrrrrrrrt in space except the sound.

 

[sorcerer]

How about adding a CIWS ? Just saying an AK630 or phalynx would do well. Brrrrrrrrrt in space except the sound.

Oh well!!!
Your wish just came true..far from the soviet era..anyway

France wants to arm satellites with guns and lasers by 2030
That money would go towards upgrading France’s network of Syracuse military communications satellites, which are operated by the French Navy. The military wants the next generation of satellites to come with cameras to identify adversaries, with a followup generation equipped with submachine guns and lasers to attack and disable other satellites.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/28/8934164/france-military-space-command-satellites-guns-lasers-2030

 

[Akula]

Oh well!!!
Your wish just came true..far from the soviet era..anyway

France wants to arm satellites with guns and lasers by 2030
That money would go towards upgrading France’s network of Syracuse military communications satellites, which are operated by the French Navy. The military wants the next generation of satellites to come with cameras to identify adversaries, with a followup generation equipped with submachine guns and lasers to attack and disable other satellites.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/28/8934164/france-military-space-command-satellites-guns-lasers-2030

Soviets had gun fitted on their "Almaz" military space station in 70's for destroying rogue satellites.

 

[Akula]

Mangalyaan completes 5 years in Mars orbit, was originally planned to remain 6 months.
https://www.indiatoday.in/science/s...etes-5-years-orbiting-mars-1602933-2019-09-25

 

[bhramos]

#ISRO to test it's new engine

SCE-200, the semi-cryogenic engine by ISRO is all set for it's testfire in Ukraine, reports the HinduBusinessLine.

SCE-200 is a 200 ton or 2,000kN engine using kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel and oxisiser respectively. The engine is being developed by ISRO and Ukrainian joint venture and is often related to Ukrainian RD-810 engine. This engine will be used in the first stages of most Indian rockets, which will shoot up GSLV Mk-III's GTO capability from existing 4 to 6 tons. Also, development of many future Indian launch vehicles is pivoted on the SCE-200 engine.

Intriguingly, the BusinessHinduLine also reports that the SCE-200 engine could help Avatar, a TSTO by DRDO-ISRO collaboration, take off by 2025. Avatar is a fully reusable launch vehicle with horizontal take off and landing capability and expected to bring down launch cost to about $100/kg.

Image : Artistic representation of Avatar launch vehicle by IADN.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO’s space docking experiment to happen next year, says Sivan

 

[Akula]

ISRO’s space docking experiment to happen next year, says Sivan

Sirji any update on RLV drop test which was going to be happen this year.

 

[Anirbann Datta]

It is getting fishier and fisher day passing, so many ISRO scientists getting BLANKED !!!! we need to start marking it to concerned-s through our members , Seniors

Anouther ISRO scientist found murdered!!!!! in HYD yesterdeay ( media attachment failed)

https://inshorts.com/en/news/56year...COtSKvMKlB4F9VsY3JEBqkPWlihN5GfetaEN31Sx8AnNY

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Sirji any update on RLV drop test which was going to be happen this year.

Not this year at least.
One PSLV and one GSLV left for this year.

 

[Shashwat]

^^2 PSLV and 1 GSLV

30...chars....

 

[Indx TechStyle]

^^2 PSLV and 1 GSLV

30...chars....

No, 1 PSLV....................

 

[Shashwat]

No, 1 PSLV....................

He said, Isro is getting ready for next launches like PSLV C47 and 48, GSLV F10

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-isro-scientist-says/articleshow/71204379.cms

 

[Indx TechStyle]

He said, Isro is getting ready for next launches like PSLV C47 and 48, GSLV F10

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-isro-scientist-says/articleshow/71204379.cms

C-47 can't be assembled in October itself. And the other high priority mission this year after Cartosat-3 was GISAT.

There is no way to assemble three launches this year.

 

[Why so serious?]

Why can't we ensure the safety of our scientists ? Who is behind this?


Isro scientist hit on head, found dead in Hyderabad home
A scientist with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was Tuesday found murdered in his apartment in Hyderabad.

• • Ashish Pandey
• Hyderabad
• October 2, 2019
• UPDATED: October 2, 2019 12:22 IST

Suresh Kumar had been living on his own in Hyderabad and had been working as a scientist with the National Remote Sensing Centre -- a wing of the Isro.

An Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) scientist was found murdered in his house in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

The deceased, identified as 58-year-old Suresh Kumar, was found dead in his SR Nagar residence.

He was allegedly killed by unknown persons at his flat at Annapurna Apartment in Ameerpet area in the heart of the city.

Suresh Kumar had been living on his own in Hyderabad and had been working as a scientist with the National Remote Sensing Centre -- a wing of the Isro.

Kumar's family stays in Chennai and they raised an alarm when they were not able to contact him. The family alerted his colleagues in Hyderabad.

When his coworkers reached his house, they found the door locked from inside.

After no answer to repeated calls and to the doorbell, the group managed to break the door of Suresh Kumar's house open only to find his body lying in a pool of blood.

The Hyderabad police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.

Police suspect that he was hit on the head with some heavy object resulting in his death. The body was shifted for autopsy.

They said they were scanning the CCTV footage of the apartment complex to probe the case.

Suresh had been living in Hyderabad for 20 years. His wife was also working in the city but was transferred to Chennai in 2005.

Their son is settled in the US while their daughter lives in Delhi.

 

[Shashwat]

C-47 can't be assembled in October itself. And the other high priority mission this year after Cartosat-3 was GISAT.

There is no way to assemble three launches this year.

From when are you covering or following ISRO. Doesn't seems like you know a lot about their working. The statement I quotted is from the Director of VSSC not some chump running around. There may be slipup but for now its 3 launches before 2020.

Anyway, C47 is next in line - C46 was launched in May, 47 is schedule for last week of October. Its must have already been assembled - PSLV integrtion takes 40 days for completion and ISRO has 2-3 vehicle in stock for contingency. GSLV-F10 was scheduled for Chandrayaan 2 in 2017-18 so the vehicle was ready way before.

ISRO has previously done launches in just 11 days interval so pulling 3 launches with 2 and half months should be a piece of cake.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Performed launches in 2019January 24 18:07 UTC- PSLV DL C44 (FLP)- Microsat-R
April 1st 03:57 UTC- PSLV-QL C45 - EMISAT & 28 others
May 22, 00:00 UTC- PSLV C46 - RISAT-2B
July 22, 09:13 UTC- GSLV MkIII M1 (SLP) - Chandrayaan-2

February 5 21:01 UTC- Ariane 5 - GSAT-31 (repl. for Insat-4CR)

Planned launches
2019
November- PSLV C47 - Cartosat-3 + Meshbed
- GSLV - GISAT-1 (GEO Imaging SATellite)
Early December - PSLV C48 - RISAT-2BR1 + iQPS + Spiresats
End December- PSLV C49 - RISAT-1A + Kleos

2020
early - SSLV Demo 2
February - GSLV - GSAT-32 (repl. for GSAT-6A)
Q1 - PSLV - Oceansat-3A
March - PSLV - Cartosat-3B
Q2 - PSLV - Resourcesat-3S
Q2 - PSLV - Resourcesat-3
mid-year - PSLV - Amazonia-1 (Brazil) & smallsats
- PSLV - EnMap (Germany)
mid-year - PSLV XL - Aditya-L1
- GSLV - GISAT-2
- PSLV - Cartosat-3A
- GSLV MkIII D3? - GSAT-22
- PSLV - RISAT-2A
- PSLV - Oceansat-3
- GSLV - GSAT-7R
- Xposat - SSLV Demo 1 - "DefenceSat-A/DefenceSat-B"
- PSLV - IRNSS-1J
- GSLV MkIII- GSAT-20
- PSLV - HRSAT (3 s/c)

January 15 - Ariane 5 - GSAT-30 (repl. for Insat-4A)

2021
Q2 - PSLV - Resourcesat-3SA
Q2 - PSLV - Resourcesat-3A
December - GSLV - NISAR (NASA-ISRO SAR sat)

2022
Q1 - PSLV - Resourcesat-3B
- GSLV - Insat-3DS
- GSLV MkIII - GaganYaan (First manned mission)

2024
- PSLV? - MOM-2

From ~input2 NSF

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Episode 90 – An update on ISRO’s activities with S Somanath and R Umamaheshwaran

R Umamaheshwaran (Scientific Secretary) and S Somanath (Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre)

This interview with S Somanath (director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) and R Umamaheshwaran (Scientific Secretary) was recorded on 24th October 2019 during the International Astronautical Congress in Washington DC. It was not focused on a specific theme but rather an update on all things ISRO – current and future activities. We spoke about ISRO’s potential participation with NASA on its Artemis programme, ISRO’s innovative Orbital Platform (repurposing the 4th stage of a PSLV), Human Spaceflight and Gaganyaan, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, Semi Cryogenic engine development, potential new launch site Kulasekharapattan, Chandrayaan-2 and future international collaboration.

The award-winning book mentioned is Integrated Design for Space Transportation System by B.N Suresh and K. Suresh.

The conversation started with India’s bid to be the host for IAC2022. The other candidates were Brazil, Singapore and Azerbaijan. The day after this recording it was announced that the International Astronautical Federation selected Azerbaijan.

Audio Player

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Some of the topics we covered are listed below

• India, along with Singapore, Azerbaijan and Brazil were candidate countries to host 2022 IAC. India hosted the IAC 1988 and 2007. This interview was recorded a day before the announcement was made. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan was selected as the host for 2022.

• Potential ISRO participation with NASA’s Artemis programme return to the Moon. Italy and Japan will join NASA. (ISRO remains uncommitted at this stage).

• PS4 Orbital Platform – ISRO is making use of the 4th stage of the PSLV to host payload in LEO for several months after it has completed the delivery of the primary payload(s). It will be augmented with RCS and propulsion system to maintain attitude and orbit – potentially indefinitely! Solar panel on the outside will deliver up to 100W. End of mission, the platform will comply with agreed guidelines – to a minimum perigee of 500km if not deorbit.

• Gaganyaan – Coming up parachute tests by end of this year, launch abort t(in-flight) test. Uncrewed test flight next year and 2021. Crewed flight to LEO by 2022 is still on target.

• Crew selection process is still progressing. Selection criteria require test pilot experience so females will not be part of the first crew. The first flight will consist of a crew of 3. Initially, a team of 4 will go to Russia for astronaut training – a single backup. (Surprising – I would have expected at least 6 for two teams – primary and back up).

• Human Spaceflight and Exploration conference in Bangalore, India in January 2020. This mission is to generate public awareness of India’s Gaganyaan programme. Rakesh Sharma and astronauts from other countries will also be present.

• Small Satellite Launch vehicle (SSLV) to address the newly developing market for small satellites. Currently, small satellites use rideshare that does not offer customised timing or orbit. Both are determined by the primary payload. The SSLV to only from Sriharikota.

• The reference in the Indian (Google translation from original Telegu) press for a proposed new launch site in Kulasekharapattan is not really taken seriously by ISRO. Initially to be launched from Sriharikota but may develop a mobile launcher in the future. Sea launch is not under consideration at the present.

• Alternative launch sites may come in the future but currently, Sriharikota’s launch capacity is not being used fully.

• ISRO’s first mission to Venus (Shukriyaan) to be launched in 20203. Mass and mission architecture already defined. Aditya-L1 – launch in the second half of 2022. Mars Orbiter Mission 2, architecture not yet finalised – may include lander and rover. No date yet.

• Chandrayan-3 – not announced yet but there will be a Chandrayaan-3 and more.

• Failure Analysis Committee investigating. ISRO has a fairly good idea from the data on what went wrong. So far – hard landing resulting in spacecraft damage. Why did it happen? The problem is a minor due to “dispersion”? i.e. something was off-nominal but would not say if hardware or software issue? The FAC report will be publically published.

• Space station – announced by the ISRO chairman. It will happen but no timeline.

• Reusable Launch Vehicle second mission will involve an airdrop and land on a strip at Chitradurga in Karnataka. Target date – December 2019.

• Semi cryogenic engine. Engine development in progress with a target date of 2022. Testing and significant progress will take place AFTER the Gaganyaan mission is over.

• Next GSLV-Mk3 scheduled for mid-2020 for comsat launches.

• Will India use the name “astronaut”? ISRO will conduct something in the way of a public poll and make a formal decision.

• Gaganyaan will not be one-off. May go to the Moon, ISS or participate in Artemis. ISRO not ruling out anything.

• ISRO continuing to cooperate with Russia, France, ESA, the USA, Collaboration with China is also possible. Two experiments from the Indian Institute of Science will be conducted on the Chinese Space Station. Collaboration with China in science is straight forward but at the agency level – that may come in the future

 

[Indx TechStyle]

From above:

India, along with Singapore, Azerbaijan and Brazil were candidate countries to host 2022 IAC. India hosted the IAC 1988 and 2007. This interview was recorded a day before the announcement was made. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan was selected as the host for 2022.

Gone. Doesn't matter.

Potential ISRO participation with NASA’s Artemis programme return to the Moon. Italy and Japan will join NASA. (ISRO remains uncommitted at this stage).

Gaganyaan will not be one-off. May go to the Moon, ISS or participate in Artemis. ISRO not ruling out anything.

ISRO continuing to cooperate with Russia, France, ESA, the USA, Collaboration with China is also possible. Two experiments from the Indian Institute of Science will be conducted on the Chinese Space Station. Collaboration with China in science is straight forward but at the agency level – that may come in the future

Hope that public & government's opinion hold them back. The present mood in country won't go very well with it.
PS4 Orbital Platform – ISRO is making use of the 4th stage of the PSLV to host payload in LEO for several months after it has completed the delivery of the primary payload(s). It will be augmented with RCS and propulsion system to maintain attitude and orbit – potentially indefinitely! Solar panel on the outside will deliver up to 100W. End of mission, the platform will comply with agreed guidelines – to a minimum perigee of 500km if not deorbit.

May become India's own Agena Target Vehicle eventually.

Gaganyaan – Coming up parachute tests by end of this year, launch abort t(in-flight) test. Uncrewed test flight next year and 2021. Crewed flight to LEO by 2022 is still on target.

Crew selection process is still progressing. Selection criteria require test pilot experience so females will not be part of the first crew. The first flight will consist of a crew of 3. Initially, a team of 4 will go to Russia for astronaut training – a single backup. (Surprising – I would have expected at least 6 for two teams – primary and back up).

Perfaarmance naarmal!

Human Spaceflight and Exploration conference in Bangalore, India in January 2020. This mission is to generate public awareness of India’s Gaganyaan programme. Rakesh Sharma and astronauts from other countries will also be present.

Some of nice moments and ceremonies before historic achievements.