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ISRO news and views
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Chandrayaan-1 was a fantastic success: European scientist
Bangalore: Indian media should stop criticising the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for abruptly terminating Chandrayaan-1 and instead applaud the success of its moon mission, a European space scientist has said.
Although its life was cut short, ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 was a "fantastic success", Detlef Koschny, European Chandrayaan-1 project scientist, said in an e-mail interview. Chandrayaan-1 had carried three scientific payloads of the European Space Agency (ESA).
All the European teams were "much excited" about the results they got, he said. "I think (the) Indian press should stop trying to put ISRO down. You should rather acknowledge the fantastic achievements your space agency did," he said, listing many of the achievements.
"You sent a spacecraft to the Moon and entered a low lunar orbit -- a very high challenge which is already a fantastic success," Koschny told a news agency.
"Secondly, all scientific instruments were commissioned and worked flawlessly. The data came down, over a distance of about 400,000 km and it was put together into images, atomic counts etc."
"To have a spacecraft survive in such an environment for such a long time is not simple -- you should congratulate them (ISRO) for this," Koschny said, adding that all principal investigators in Europe felt as he did.
Koschny said ESA scientists' appreciation has been communicated to ISRO in a statement by Stas Barabash, principal investigator of the Sub KeV Atom Reflecting Analyser (SARA), one of the three ESA payloads on board Chandrayaan-1.
The SARA experiment was expected to reveal the surface composition of the moon and associated magnetic anomalies by studying the interaction of solar wind with the moon's surface.
"The SARA team is very pleased with the data received. The experiment fulfilled its scientific objectives. SARA considers Chandrayaan-1 as a full success. The team not only received science data but also demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of neutral atom imaging of the solar wind-surface interaction," Koschny said.
The letter to ISRO further said if the SARA team were invited again to build an instrument for a 10-month Chandrayaan mission, "we would, with no hesitation, agree to participate".
The openness of the Chandrayaan-1 mission also came for praise from the European scientists. "The management scheme involving Indian and non-Indian research group developing together a scientific instrument was extremely successful," the letter said.
According to the European team leader, the data obtained by SARA opens a new field. "The data demonstrate clearly that the field of the solar wind-Moon interaction is not boring as many scientists believed."
According to the ESA scientists, the SARA experiment done on board Chandrayaan-1 has for the first time demonstrated that a large percentage of the solar wind protons get reflected back as neutral atoms, thus calling for a reconsideration of the "accepted solar wind deposition rates".
The experiment has shown that these neutrals can be used to study solar wind interaction with all planetary bodies that do not have an atmosphere.
Bangalore: Indian media should stop criticising the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for abruptly terminating Chandrayaan-1 and instead applaud the success of its moon mission, a European space scientist has said.
Although its life was cut short, ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 was a "fantastic success", Detlef Koschny, European Chandrayaan-1 project scientist, said in an e-mail interview. Chandrayaan-1 had carried three scientific payloads of the European Space Agency (ESA).
All the European teams were "much excited" about the results they got, he said. "I think (the) Indian press should stop trying to put ISRO down. You should rather acknowledge the fantastic achievements your space agency did," he said, listing many of the achievements.
"You sent a spacecraft to the Moon and entered a low lunar orbit -- a very high challenge which is already a fantastic success," Koschny told a news agency.
"Secondly, all scientific instruments were commissioned and worked flawlessly. The data came down, over a distance of about 400,000 km and it was put together into images, atomic counts etc."
"To have a spacecraft survive in such an environment for such a long time is not simple -- you should congratulate them (ISRO) for this," Koschny said, adding that all principal investigators in Europe felt as he did.
Koschny said ESA scientists' appreciation has been communicated to ISRO in a statement by Stas Barabash, principal investigator of the Sub KeV Atom Reflecting Analyser (SARA), one of the three ESA payloads on board Chandrayaan-1.
The SARA experiment was expected to reveal the surface composition of the moon and associated magnetic anomalies by studying the interaction of solar wind with the moon's surface.
"The SARA team is very pleased with the data received. The experiment fulfilled its scientific objectives. SARA considers Chandrayaan-1 as a full success. The team not only received science data but also demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of neutral atom imaging of the solar wind-surface interaction," Koschny said.
The letter to ISRO further said if the SARA team were invited again to build an instrument for a 10-month Chandrayaan mission, "we would, with no hesitation, agree to participate".
The openness of the Chandrayaan-1 mission also came for praise from the European scientists. "The management scheme involving Indian and non-Indian research group developing together a scientific instrument was extremely successful," the letter said.
According to the European team leader, the data obtained by SARA opens a new field. "The data demonstrate clearly that the field of the solar wind-Moon interaction is not boring as many scientists believed."
According to the ESA scientists, the SARA experiment done on board Chandrayaan-1 has for the first time demonstrated that a large percentage of the solar wind protons get reflected back as neutral atoms, thus calling for a reconsideration of the "accepted solar wind deposition rates".
The experiment has shown that these neutrals can be used to study solar wind interaction with all planetary bodies that do not have an atmosphere.
Pintu
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domain-b.com : ISRO to put Chandrayaan-1 data in public domain
ISRO to put Chandrayaan-1 data in public domain
10 September 2009
Bangalore: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) intends to make public the entire data collected from the Chandrayaan-1 mission by the end of the year or early next year. The data will go up once the 'lock-in' period for such material expires sometime in November or slightly later.
According to ISRO sources, during the two-day peer committee review meeting held in the city and attended by scientists from participating nations and agencies, such as NASA and the European Space Agency, it was decided that the data obtained from the mission would be converted to standard planetary data system format, which is an international standard, using conversion software and uploaded on the internet once the lock-in period of the data expired.
The 'lock-in' period is the time for which data will be treated as classified information by scientists directly involved in the project, and is set to cover a year from the time of the collection of the data. In the case of Chandrayaan-1, data collection activity commenced as early as November last year.
ISRO has is already in the process of procuring the conversion software.
Officials said that countries which had their scientific instruments onboard the Chandrayaan I spacecraft would have the first right to access the data collected by their respective instruments. In the review meeting it was decided by consensus that the collected data would be shared amongst each other.
ISRO to put Chandrayaan-1 data in public domain
10 September 2009
Bangalore: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) intends to make public the entire data collected from the Chandrayaan-1 mission by the end of the year or early next year. The data will go up once the 'lock-in' period for such material expires sometime in November or slightly later.
According to ISRO sources, during the two-day peer committee review meeting held in the city and attended by scientists from participating nations and agencies, such as NASA and the European Space Agency, it was decided that the data obtained from the mission would be converted to standard planetary data system format, which is an international standard, using conversion software and uploaded on the internet once the lock-in period of the data expired.
The 'lock-in' period is the time for which data will be treated as classified information by scientists directly involved in the project, and is set to cover a year from the time of the collection of the data. In the case of Chandrayaan-1, data collection activity commenced as early as November last year.
ISRO has is already in the process of procuring the conversion software.
Officials said that countries which had their scientific instruments onboard the Chandrayaan I spacecraft would have the first right to access the data collected by their respective instruments. In the review meeting it was decided by consensus that the collected data would be shared amongst each other.
Pintu
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http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/...havan+Nair,++ISRO,+Oceansat-2,+GSat-4,+Chandr
ISRO to replace computers on future satellites
Manoj K Das
First Published : 11 Sep 2009 12:32:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Sep 2009 12:19:31 PM IST
KOCHI: Stung by the finding that the failure of the Chandrayaan was mainly due to the malfunction of onboard computers, the Indian Space Research Organisation has decided to replace the processing units on all future satellites, including two scheduled for immediate launch.
A decision to equip the Oceansat- 2 and GSat-4 with a new bus management unit (BMU) instead of the existing one has already been taken. Currently ISRO uses a standard type of central computer unit in all satellites. This in-house developed system is a time-tested control unit which has flown on many satellites. But following the Chandrayaan fiasco due to poor thermal management, every component was scrutinised and re-evaluated.
Following this a high level decision to re-install the most crucial component was immediately taken.
The urgency was such that the replacement was done on Oceansat while it was waiting to be integrated with the launch vehicle.
(Oceansat-2 will be in orbit by the year end to boost India’s oceanographic studies. This satellite will also aid fishermen by giving them a clear indication of the presence and type of fish at various depths.) Similarly the control unit of GSat-4, a communication satellite, has also been replaced with a new one which features better thermal control facilities. The haste with which the BMUs in both satellites were replaced is further confirmation that Chandrayaan was let down more by internal factors than external temperature vagaries.
Apart from this ISRO has decided to raise the threshold value of all vehicles with immediate effect.
The values of thermvac (thermal and vacuum tests) have been raised four times from the normal practice of testing it under double the temperature and pressure readings in outer space.
A decision to effect certain design changes with a view to ensuring better ventilation of heat generated inside the satellite has also been taken.
With the Chandrayaan failure casting a shadow on the proposed manned mission, ISRO has decided to do three dummy launches of the space capsule in which Indian spacefarers will undertake their voyage. The capsule, being fabricated in Thiruvananthapuram, will be tested for its re-entry dynamics and thermal insulation. Though the capsule and the launch vehicle (GSLVMark III) have already been manrated, the space agency is leaving nothing to chance. "We will do three dummy runs. That will reinforce our confidence," confirmed G Madhavan Nair, ISRO Chairman. He, however, ruled out any experiment using biological specimens (like a monkey). "We don’t want to do that. We’ve a fairly good understanding of the challenges that await such a mission.
The three trials are more than enough to evaluate our systems before the actual launch takes place," he said.
ISRO to replace computers on future satellites
Manoj K Das
First Published : 11 Sep 2009 12:32:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Sep 2009 12:19:31 PM IST
KOCHI: Stung by the finding that the failure of the Chandrayaan was mainly due to the malfunction of onboard computers, the Indian Space Research Organisation has decided to replace the processing units on all future satellites, including two scheduled for immediate launch.
A decision to equip the Oceansat- 2 and GSat-4 with a new bus management unit (BMU) instead of the existing one has already been taken. Currently ISRO uses a standard type of central computer unit in all satellites. This in-house developed system is a time-tested control unit which has flown on many satellites. But following the Chandrayaan fiasco due to poor thermal management, every component was scrutinised and re-evaluated.
Following this a high level decision to re-install the most crucial component was immediately taken.
The urgency was such that the replacement was done on Oceansat while it was waiting to be integrated with the launch vehicle.
(Oceansat-2 will be in orbit by the year end to boost India’s oceanographic studies. This satellite will also aid fishermen by giving them a clear indication of the presence and type of fish at various depths.) Similarly the control unit of GSat-4, a communication satellite, has also been replaced with a new one which features better thermal control facilities. The haste with which the BMUs in both satellites were replaced is further confirmation that Chandrayaan was let down more by internal factors than external temperature vagaries.
Apart from this ISRO has decided to raise the threshold value of all vehicles with immediate effect.
The values of thermvac (thermal and vacuum tests) have been raised four times from the normal practice of testing it under double the temperature and pressure readings in outer space.
A decision to effect certain design changes with a view to ensuring better ventilation of heat generated inside the satellite has also been taken.
With the Chandrayaan failure casting a shadow on the proposed manned mission, ISRO has decided to do three dummy launches of the space capsule in which Indian spacefarers will undertake their voyage. The capsule, being fabricated in Thiruvananthapuram, will be tested for its re-entry dynamics and thermal insulation. Though the capsule and the launch vehicle (GSLVMark III) have already been manrated, the space agency is leaving nothing to chance. "We will do three dummy runs. That will reinforce our confidence," confirmed G Madhavan Nair, ISRO Chairman. He, however, ruled out any experiment using biological specimens (like a monkey). "We don’t want to do that. We’ve a fairly good understanding of the challenges that await such a mission.
The three trials are more than enough to evaluate our systems before the actual launch takes place," he said.
ISRO was to aiming increase rate of launches to 6 per year but it doesn't seem to be happening. its probably shortage of manpower and assembly facilities, expanding might require budget and much of new allocations is going for new satellite development and launch vehicle projects.
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Scientists to decode moon mission data- ET Cetera-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times
BANGALORE: Scientists from the European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the Indian Space Research
Organisation (Isro) have started decoding the data retrieved from Chandrayaan-1 and said they are coming up with interesting findings which will provide them insights into various aspects of the moon.
The data will enable them study two dozen solar flares, which create large explosions on the Sun’s atmosphere releasing huge amounts of energy. ESA said that its payload called ‘x-ray Solar Monitor’ (XSM) has monitored the Sun’s x-ray emission which is particularly high when a solar flare occurs.
Comparing these x-ray measurements with the observations made from the ESA spacecraft Soho which observes the sun in different optical wavelength ranges will allow them to better understand solar flares.
This is particularly relevant as “strong solar flares can knock out power grids on Earth and influence the accuracy of GPS navigation systems. If we better understand the physics of solar flares, we can protect ourselves better from these effects”, ESA Chandrayaan-1 project scientist Dr Detlef Koschny, said.
Scientists say loss of electricity can impact water distribution, perishable food, medication, and sewage disposal. Such outages would create satellite malfunctions and radio blackouts affecting telecommunication, transportation and banking and finance.
ESA said that its payload C1XS, an imaging x-ray spectrometer, developed along with UK’s Rutherford Appleton laboratory and Isro, has been able to identify calcium on the lunar surface. “There are indications of iron and titanium samples as well,” said Dr Koschny.
BANGALORE: Scientists from the European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the Indian Space Research
Organisation (Isro) have started decoding the data retrieved from Chandrayaan-1 and said they are coming up with interesting findings which will provide them insights into various aspects of the moon.
The data will enable them study two dozen solar flares, which create large explosions on the Sun’s atmosphere releasing huge amounts of energy. ESA said that its payload called ‘x-ray Solar Monitor’ (XSM) has monitored the Sun’s x-ray emission which is particularly high when a solar flare occurs.
Comparing these x-ray measurements with the observations made from the ESA spacecraft Soho which observes the sun in different optical wavelength ranges will allow them to better understand solar flares.
This is particularly relevant as “strong solar flares can knock out power grids on Earth and influence the accuracy of GPS navigation systems. If we better understand the physics of solar flares, we can protect ourselves better from these effects”, ESA Chandrayaan-1 project scientist Dr Detlef Koschny, said.
Scientists say loss of electricity can impact water distribution, perishable food, medication, and sewage disposal. Such outages would create satellite malfunctions and radio blackouts affecting telecommunication, transportation and banking and finance.
ESA said that its payload C1XS, an imaging x-ray spectrometer, developed along with UK’s Rutherford Appleton laboratory and Isro, has been able to identify calcium on the lunar surface. “There are indications of iron and titanium samples as well,” said Dr Koschny.
LETHALFORCE
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http://www.moondaily.com/reports/Chandrayan_Not_A_Failure_NASA_Astronaut_999.htmlChandrayan Not A Failure: NASA Astronaut
by Staff Writers
Guwahati, India (PTI) Sep 14, 2009
NASA astronaut Edward Michael Fincke has said the Indian moon mission 'Chandrayan' was not a failure, but an "amazing success".
"There is a lot of speculation about the mission being failed. On the contrary, it was a success with 95 per cent of its objectives achieved," Fincke, a veteran of two missions in the International Space Station ISS), told reporters here.
"This not the official view but my own perspective as an astronaut and the fact that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was able to put a satellite to orbit the moon and plant the Indian Flag on the surface of the moon is indeed mazing," said Fincke, married to NASA engineer Renita Saikia whose parents hail from Assam.
by Staff Writers
Guwahati, India (PTI) Sep 14, 2009
NASA astronaut Edward Michael Fincke has said the Indian moon mission 'Chandrayan' was not a failure, but an "amazing success".
"There is a lot of speculation about the mission being failed. On the contrary, it was a success with 95 per cent of its objectives achieved," Fincke, a veteran of two missions in the International Space Station ISS), told reporters here.
"This not the official view but my own perspective as an astronaut and the fact that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was able to put a satellite to orbit the moon and plant the Indian Flag on the surface of the moon is indeed mazing," said Fincke, married to NASA engineer Renita Saikia whose parents hail from Assam.
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domain-b.com : Stop putting ISRO down, lunar mission a "fantastic success": ESA
Bangalore: Indian media's traditional carping ways with respect to any national success story in critical or strategic areas came in for lambasting from an unusual source, with a European project scientist with the Chandrayaan-1 mission suggesting that the media should take onboard the achievement that underlies the mission rather than questioning its early termination.
Ina email-interview with a news agency, Detlef Koschny, European Chandrayaan-1 project scientist, said though the space craft's life was cut short, the mission was a "fantastic success."
India's lunar mission had carried three scientific payloads from the European Space Agency (ESA).
According to Koschny, the European teams were "much excited" about the results they achieved. "I think (the) Indian press should stop trying to put ISRO down. You should rather acknowledge the fantastic achievements your space agency did," he said, listing many of the achievements.
"You sent a spacecraft to the moon and entered a low lunar orbit -- a very high challenge which is already a fantastic success," Koschny said.
"Secondly, all scientific instruments were commissioned and worked flawlessly. The data came down, over a distance of about 400,000 km and it was put together into images, atomic counts etc."
"To have a spacecraft survive in such an environment for such a long time is not simple -- you should congratulate them (ISRO) for this," Koschny said.
For good measure he added that all principal investigators in Europe felt as he did.
He also said ESA scientists' appreciation had been communicated to ISRO in a statement by Stas Barabash, principal investigator of the Sub KeV Atom Reflecting Analyser (SARA), one of the three ESA payloads on board Chandrayaan-1.
The SARA experiment was expected to reveal the surface composition of the moon and associated magnetic anomalies by studying the interaction of solar wind with the moon's surface.
"The SARA team is very pleased with the data received. The experiment fulfilled its scientific objectives. SARA considers Chandrayaan-1 as a full success. The team not only received science data but also demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of neutral atom imaging of the solar wind-surface interaction," Koschny said.
In a ringing endorsement, the letter of appreciation further added that if the SARA team were invited again to build an instrument for a 10-month Chandrayaan mission, "we would, with no hesitation, agree to participate".
The transparent management system of the Chandrayaan-1 mission also came for praise from European scientists. "The management scheme involving Indian and non-Indian research group developing together a scientific instrument was extremely successful," the letter said.
Bangalore: Indian media's traditional carping ways with respect to any national success story in critical or strategic areas came in for lambasting from an unusual source, with a European project scientist with the Chandrayaan-1 mission suggesting that the media should take onboard the achievement that underlies the mission rather than questioning its early termination.
Ina email-interview with a news agency, Detlef Koschny, European Chandrayaan-1 project scientist, said though the space craft's life was cut short, the mission was a "fantastic success."
India's lunar mission had carried three scientific payloads from the European Space Agency (ESA).
According to Koschny, the European teams were "much excited" about the results they achieved. "I think (the) Indian press should stop trying to put ISRO down. You should rather acknowledge the fantastic achievements your space agency did," he said, listing many of the achievements.
"You sent a spacecraft to the moon and entered a low lunar orbit -- a very high challenge which is already a fantastic success," Koschny said.
"Secondly, all scientific instruments were commissioned and worked flawlessly. The data came down, over a distance of about 400,000 km and it was put together into images, atomic counts etc."
"To have a spacecraft survive in such an environment for such a long time is not simple -- you should congratulate them (ISRO) for this," Koschny said.
For good measure he added that all principal investigators in Europe felt as he did.
He also said ESA scientists' appreciation had been communicated to ISRO in a statement by Stas Barabash, principal investigator of the Sub KeV Atom Reflecting Analyser (SARA), one of the three ESA payloads on board Chandrayaan-1.
The SARA experiment was expected to reveal the surface composition of the moon and associated magnetic anomalies by studying the interaction of solar wind with the moon's surface.
"The SARA team is very pleased with the data received. The experiment fulfilled its scientific objectives. SARA considers Chandrayaan-1 as a full success. The team not only received science data but also demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of neutral atom imaging of the solar wind-surface interaction," Koschny said.
In a ringing endorsement, the letter of appreciation further added that if the SARA team were invited again to build an instrument for a 10-month Chandrayaan mission, "we would, with no hesitation, agree to participate".
The transparent management system of the Chandrayaan-1 mission also came for praise from European scientists. "The management scheme involving Indian and non-Indian research group developing together a scientific instrument was extremely successful," the letter said.
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India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sept 23: ISRO - dnaindia.com
Bangalore: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have European flavour. "Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at around noon on September 23," S Satish, spokesperson of Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, told PTI. ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 am on that day.
The 970kg spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport on the East coast, where preparations for the launch are in full swing. The satellite is intended for identification of potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.
It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological aspects of oceanography.
"Data from Oceansat-1 (which has completed ten years of service) was widely used by fishermen," ISRO chairman, G Madhavan Nair said.
Besides ISRO, European space agencies would be keenly looking forward for the mission's success as a set of six European nano satellites would ride piggyback and accompany Oceansat-2 on its trip to orbit. Besides two Rubin nano satellites from Germany, the four cubesats lined up for the mission are: Beesat (built by Technical University, Berlin), UWE-2 (University of Wuerzburg, Germany), ITU-pSat (Istanbul Technical University, Turkey) and SwissCube-1 (Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne, Switzerland).
Oceansat-2 would carry an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and a Ku-band pencil beam Scatterometer, besides a Radio Occultation Sounder for Atmospheric Studies (ROSA), developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
ISRO chief said the Ku-band pencil beam Scatterometer with a ground resolution cell of 50km X 50km is expected to provide the wind vector range of four to 24m per second with better than 20% accuracy in speed and 20 degree in wind direction.
The on-board Scatterometer is a very good instrument for getting surface wind on the sea. It is required for sea state forecasting. And for maritime navigation, the wave height and disturbance is also important, Nair said.
The eight-band OCM is similar to the one in Oceansat-1 with appropriate spectral bandwidth modifications based on the experience gained. OCM, with 360m spatial resolution and a swath of 1,420km, would provide a two-day repetivity.
Since Oceansat-2 is a continuity mission to Oceansat-1, the same polar sun synchronous orbit of 720km has been retained.
An ISRO official said Oceansat-1 essentially could look at only the colour of the ocean but the upcoming spacecraft is a comprehensive system and would look at surface winds and temperature, among other things.
Bangalore: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have European flavour. "Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at around noon on September 23," S Satish, spokesperson of Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, told PTI. ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 am on that day.
The 970kg spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport on the East coast, where preparations for the launch are in full swing. The satellite is intended for identification of potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.
It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological aspects of oceanography.
"Data from Oceansat-1 (which has completed ten years of service) was widely used by fishermen," ISRO chairman, G Madhavan Nair said.
Besides ISRO, European space agencies would be keenly looking forward for the mission's success as a set of six European nano satellites would ride piggyback and accompany Oceansat-2 on its trip to orbit. Besides two Rubin nano satellites from Germany, the four cubesats lined up for the mission are: Beesat (built by Technical University, Berlin), UWE-2 (University of Wuerzburg, Germany), ITU-pSat (Istanbul Technical University, Turkey) and SwissCube-1 (Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne, Switzerland).
Oceansat-2 would carry an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and a Ku-band pencil beam Scatterometer, besides a Radio Occultation Sounder for Atmospheric Studies (ROSA), developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
ISRO chief said the Ku-band pencil beam Scatterometer with a ground resolution cell of 50km X 50km is expected to provide the wind vector range of four to 24m per second with better than 20% accuracy in speed and 20 degree in wind direction.
The on-board Scatterometer is a very good instrument for getting surface wind on the sea. It is required for sea state forecasting. And for maritime navigation, the wave height and disturbance is also important, Nair said.
The eight-band OCM is similar to the one in Oceansat-1 with appropriate spectral bandwidth modifications based on the experience gained. OCM, with 360m spatial resolution and a swath of 1,420km, would provide a two-day repetivity.
Since Oceansat-2 is a continuity mission to Oceansat-1, the same polar sun synchronous orbit of 720km has been retained.
An ISRO official said Oceansat-1 essentially could look at only the colour of the ocean but the upcoming spacecraft is a comprehensive system and would look at surface winds and temperature, among other things.
youngindian
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India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sep 23: ISRO
17/09/09
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have European flavour.
The 970-KG spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport on the east coast, where preparations for the launch are in full swing.
“Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at around noon on September 23,” S Satish, spokesperson of Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, said.
ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 AM on that day.
The satellite is intended for identification of potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.
It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological aspects of oceanography.
“Data from Oceansat-1 (which has completed ten years of service) was widely used by fishermen,” ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said.
Besides ISRO, European space agencies would be keenly looking forward for the missions success as a set of six European nano satellites would ride piggyback and accompany Oceansat-2 on its trip to orbit.
India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sep 23: ISRO IDRW.ORG
17/09/09
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have European flavour.
The 970-KG spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport on the east coast, where preparations for the launch are in full swing.
“Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at around noon on September 23,” S Satish, spokesperson of Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, said.
ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 AM on that day.
The satellite is intended for identification of potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.
It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological aspects of oceanography.
“Data from Oceansat-1 (which has completed ten years of service) was widely used by fishermen,” ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said.
Besides ISRO, European space agencies would be keenly looking forward for the missions success as a set of six European nano satellites would ride piggyback and accompany Oceansat-2 on its trip to orbit.
India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sep 23: ISRO IDRW.ORG
Pintu
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Isro weather station will study Tumkur climate - Bangalore - City - NEWS - The Times of India
Isro weather station will study Tumkur climate
Naveen Y, TNN 18 September 2009, 05:08am IST
TUMKUR: Tumkur University will soon have a weather station on its campus, which will be the first in the district too. One month hence, Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) will set up an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) on Tumkur University campus to take up atmospheric research activities. The AWS will also help in the scientific assessment of fluctuating weather patterns in Tumkur and provide rainfall figures in different parts of the district.
Tumkur University vice-chancellor had sent a proposal to ISRO to set up the station on campus, to which Isro gave the green signal.
Deputy director of atmospheric science programme, Isro, B Manikiam told The Times of India that Isro is setting up the station as part of a special drive, undertaken for the first time, to study urban climatology.
The drive includes the setting up of 117 such automatic weather stations all over Karnataka. We have already installed 85 stations, and the rest will be installed within the month, he added.
Isro has designed the station at a cost of Rs 2 lakh. Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave Limited will supply the parts and install them, he added.
The station will record readings pertaining to pressure, temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind direction and speed, and sunlight. The data will be transmitted to Isro through Insat, and updated every hour. We will share this information with the meteorological department, Manikiam said.
Tumkur University vice-chancellor Dr S C Sharma said the university offers MSc in Physics and Chemistry and proposed MSc in Electronic and Computer Science. The AWS can be a practical source of information for weather data and be used for development of sensors, improved technology of weather monitoring and accurate forecasting by students.
AWS will help in research programmes of the university and also alert the public to pollution levels through weather forecasts.
Isro weather station will study Tumkur climate
Naveen Y, TNN 18 September 2009, 05:08am IST
TUMKUR: Tumkur University will soon have a weather station on its campus, which will be the first in the district too. One month hence, Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) will set up an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) on Tumkur University campus to take up atmospheric research activities. The AWS will also help in the scientific assessment of fluctuating weather patterns in Tumkur and provide rainfall figures in different parts of the district.
Tumkur University vice-chancellor had sent a proposal to ISRO to set up the station on campus, to which Isro gave the green signal.
Deputy director of atmospheric science programme, Isro, B Manikiam told The Times of India that Isro is setting up the station as part of a special drive, undertaken for the first time, to study urban climatology.
The drive includes the setting up of 117 such automatic weather stations all over Karnataka. We have already installed 85 stations, and the rest will be installed within the month, he added.
Isro has designed the station at a cost of Rs 2 lakh. Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave Limited will supply the parts and install them, he added.
The station will record readings pertaining to pressure, temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind direction and speed, and sunlight. The data will be transmitted to Isro through Insat, and updated every hour. We will share this information with the meteorological department, Manikiam said.
Tumkur University vice-chancellor Dr S C Sharma said the university offers MSc in Physics and Chemistry and proposed MSc in Electronic and Computer Science. The AWS can be a practical source of information for weather data and be used for development of sensors, improved technology of weather monitoring and accurate forecasting by students.
AWS will help in research programmes of the university and also alert the public to pollution levels through weather forecasts.
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Additional Indian rover on Chandrayaan-II
Additional Indian rover on Chandrayaan-II
Manoj K Das
First Published : 18 Sep 2009 01:38:00 AM IST
KOCHI: A small Indian rover, wheeling the country’s hopes on the lunarscape, will travel to the moon on Chandrayaan-II.
This will be in addition to the Russian rover, one of the main payloads on board the second moon mission, making this one of the first missions to carry two robotic payloads on it.
While the Russian rover weighs about 50 kg, the Indian one is smaller and weighs only 15 kg. The Russian rover, which is significantly more advanced and versatile, will carry out all the major explorations while the Indian one will separately undertake chemical analysis and the search for availability of materials on the surface of the moon.
The design is totally indigenous. And a significant part of the rover, including the crucial communication links, is being fabricated in Kerala. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has a twin objective in sending up a desi rover. One aim is to gain experience in robotic payloads but the main idea is to achieve the capability of remotely controlling a system to execute various commands communicated from the Bangalore station. India needs to perfect its deep space communication as the space race is so dependent on effecting transmission of commands to the payloads and reception of data collected by them.
At the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO scientists are working to develop radio frequency transmitters.
These transmitters will travel on the rover, controlling its movement on the moon and directing it to collect samples. The ISRO, however, is not planning to do serious chemical examination on the rover.
Apart from achieving communication prowess, ISRO hopes to learn valuable lessons in soft landing payloads on alien surfaces through the rover experiment.
The Russians have handed over the design and specifications of its rover for fabrication of its traction in association with ISRO using facilities in ITTs like Kharagpur.
The only experience ISRO has in landing payloads is what it gained through the crash-landing of the moon impact probe (MIP) sent on the ill-fated Chandrayaan-I. Since the MIP was intended to crash on the lunar surface and cause dust displacement for understanding of the terrain, not much thought was given to landing techniques.
With ISRO deciding to carry two rovers, the possibility of flying free payloads remains a moot point. In fact, the decision to carry 11 payloads on Chandrayaan- I and whether it affected its thermal management is being actively debated. Scientists feel that had the spacecraft been less congested internal heat could have been more effectively ventilated. This could restrain ISRO from inviting free payloads from other space agencies or universities.
Additional Indian rover on Chandrayaan-II
Manoj K Das
First Published : 18 Sep 2009 01:38:00 AM IST
KOCHI: A small Indian rover, wheeling the country’s hopes on the lunarscape, will travel to the moon on Chandrayaan-II.
This will be in addition to the Russian rover, one of the main payloads on board the second moon mission, making this one of the first missions to carry two robotic payloads on it.
While the Russian rover weighs about 50 kg, the Indian one is smaller and weighs only 15 kg. The Russian rover, which is significantly more advanced and versatile, will carry out all the major explorations while the Indian one will separately undertake chemical analysis and the search for availability of materials on the surface of the moon.
The design is totally indigenous. And a significant part of the rover, including the crucial communication links, is being fabricated in Kerala. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has a twin objective in sending up a desi rover. One aim is to gain experience in robotic payloads but the main idea is to achieve the capability of remotely controlling a system to execute various commands communicated from the Bangalore station. India needs to perfect its deep space communication as the space race is so dependent on effecting transmission of commands to the payloads and reception of data collected by them.
At the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO scientists are working to develop radio frequency transmitters.
These transmitters will travel on the rover, controlling its movement on the moon and directing it to collect samples. The ISRO, however, is not planning to do serious chemical examination on the rover.
Apart from achieving communication prowess, ISRO hopes to learn valuable lessons in soft landing payloads on alien surfaces through the rover experiment.
The Russians have handed over the design and specifications of its rover for fabrication of its traction in association with ISRO using facilities in ITTs like Kharagpur.
The only experience ISRO has in landing payloads is what it gained through the crash-landing of the moon impact probe (MIP) sent on the ill-fated Chandrayaan-I. Since the MIP was intended to crash on the lunar surface and cause dust displacement for understanding of the terrain, not much thought was given to landing techniques.
With ISRO deciding to carry two rovers, the possibility of flying free payloads remains a moot point. In fact, the decision to carry 11 payloads on Chandrayaan- I and whether it affected its thermal management is being actively debated. Scientists feel that had the spacecraft been less congested internal heat could have been more effectively ventilated. This could restrain ISRO from inviting free payloads from other space agencies or universities.
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Findings from India’s Chandrayaan to provide new understanding of lunar surface
Findings from India’s Chandrayaan to provide new understanding of lunar surface
September 18th, 2009 - 12:34 pm ICT by ANI
London, September 18 (ANI): India’s Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) has gathered data for a total of 30 solar flares, giving the most accurate measurements to date of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, calcium, and iron in the lunar surface.
Although contact was lost with Chandrayaan-1 last month, the enhanced performance of the C1XS instrument, which exceeded its design specification, means that the science team will be able to determine the geochemistry of new areas of the lunar surface, adding some vital pieces to the jigsaw of the mineralogy of the lunar surface.
The miniature C1XS instrument investigated the lunar surface using an effect whereby X-ray illumination from the Sun causes rocks to fluoresce, emitting light at a different wavelength.
This re-emitted light contains spectral peaks that are characteristic of elements contained in the rock, revealing its composition.
Solar flares act like a flash bulb, giving added illumination and allowing C1XS to ’see’ more elements.
During normal conditions, C1XS could detect magnesium, aluminum, and silicon and collected data on the levels of these elements, enabling detailed mapping of areas of the lunar surface during its operational period.
During the 30 solar flares, C1XS detected calcium and iron (and sometimes titanium, sodium, and potassium) in key areas in the southern hemisphere and on the far side of the Moon.
The spectral resolution of 50 km was much better than previous missions.
According to Professor Grande, “The C1XS team will be analyzing the data collected during the Chandrayaan-1 mission over the next few months, and the results will help us further our knowledge of the Moon and planetary formation.”
In addition, the design of the instrument has been proved very successful in that it withstood passage through the Earth’s radiation belts and went on to produce these wonderful high-resolution spectra. We were able to separate clear peaks for each of the target elements, allowing us not only to identify where they are present but give an accurate estimate for how much is there,” he said.
“The technology developed for C1XS opens up some exciting opportunities for future missions,” he added. (ANI)
Findings from India’s Chandrayaan to provide new understanding of lunar surface
September 18th, 2009 - 12:34 pm ICT by ANI
London, September 18 (ANI): India’s Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) has gathered data for a total of 30 solar flares, giving the most accurate measurements to date of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, calcium, and iron in the lunar surface.
Although contact was lost with Chandrayaan-1 last month, the enhanced performance of the C1XS instrument, which exceeded its design specification, means that the science team will be able to determine the geochemistry of new areas of the lunar surface, adding some vital pieces to the jigsaw of the mineralogy of the lunar surface.
The miniature C1XS instrument investigated the lunar surface using an effect whereby X-ray illumination from the Sun causes rocks to fluoresce, emitting light at a different wavelength.
This re-emitted light contains spectral peaks that are characteristic of elements contained in the rock, revealing its composition.
Solar flares act like a flash bulb, giving added illumination and allowing C1XS to ’see’ more elements.
During normal conditions, C1XS could detect magnesium, aluminum, and silicon and collected data on the levels of these elements, enabling detailed mapping of areas of the lunar surface during its operational period.
During the 30 solar flares, C1XS detected calcium and iron (and sometimes titanium, sodium, and potassium) in key areas in the southern hemisphere and on the far side of the Moon.
The spectral resolution of 50 km was much better than previous missions.
According to Professor Grande, “The C1XS team will be analyzing the data collected during the Chandrayaan-1 mission over the next few months, and the results will help us further our knowledge of the Moon and planetary formation.”
In addition, the design of the instrument has been proved very successful in that it withstood passage through the Earth’s radiation belts and went on to produce these wonderful high-resolution spectra. We were able to separate clear peaks for each of the target elements, allowing us not only to identify where they are present but give an accurate estimate for how much is there,” he said.
“The technology developed for C1XS opens up some exciting opportunities for future missions,” he added. (ANI)
Pintu
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http://www.ptinews.com/news/284743_India-to-launch-Oceansat-2-on-Sep-23--ISRO
India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sep 23: ISRO
STAFF WRITER 13:35 HRS IST
Bangalore, Sept 16 (PTI) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have European flavour.
The 970-KG spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport on the east coast, where preparations for the launch are in full swing.
"Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at around noon on September 23," S Satish, spokesperson of Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, told PTI.
ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 AM on that day.
The satellite is intended for identification of potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.
It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological aspects of oceanography.
India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sep 23: ISRO
STAFF WRITER 13:35 HRS IST
Bangalore, Sept 16 (PTI) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have European flavour.
The 970-KG spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport on the east coast, where preparations for the launch are in full swing.
"Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at around noon on September 23," S Satish, spokesperson of Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, told PTI.
ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 AM on that day.
The satellite is intended for identification of potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.
It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological aspects of oceanography.
indian_blues
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It's a good decision like the way we included MIP on chandrayan 1, it gives much needed experience on rover technology and on soft landing.
I don't understand why we need a second rover. Putting instruments on one single rover would probably save weight n space. Though too many instruments would cause other problems. Small instruments on a tiny rover with limited range and maneuverability wouldn't do much compared to bigger rover with bigger instruments having greater resolution and also better endurance.
indian_blues
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by adding another I don't think we are not compromising the capabilities of the Russian rover, probably it's just a prototype to test and gain experience.
Just think if u want ISRO to send a rover to mars it's not a bad idea to test the technology behind it in the moon. :blum3:
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