ISRO news and views

[LETHALFORCE]

India's Moon Mission Quite Economical

India's Moon Mission Quite Economical

Chandrayaan-I
by Staff Writers
Mumbai, India (SPX) Sep 28, 2009
India's moon mission has proved to be quite economical and cost much less compared to what other countries have spent on their projects, mission director M Annadurai said here. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would continue to check costs in the Chandrayaan-II mission as well, he said.

India's moon mission cost only about one sixth to one tenth of the cost of similar missions undertaken by European Space Agency (SMART) or NASA's LRO or SELENE of Japan or ChangE of China. Chandrayaan-I was also unique in carrying 11 scientific instruments and 60 detectors, Annadurai said at a seminar organised by National Council of Science Museums on Saturday.

The total cost of Chandrayaan-I project including the ground facilities and launch vehicle was only $75 million ($30 million for the payload ) while cost of only payloads for missions like Japan's SELENE was $480 million, China's ChangE at $187 million or NASA's LRO at $491 million.

ISRO scientists adopted different technique in the construction of the payloads to reduce cost. Mechanical interface and electrical simulations were done in a particular way before going for actual construction of the flight model.

This enabled scientists and engineers not only to reduce cost but also to deliver the project in the stipulated timeframe of four and a half year, he said.

 

[nitesh]

More good news

Indigenous cryogenic engine developed

The entire engine has been developed with indigenous technology. The ground test has been successfully completed and it is ready for the fire stage.

“GSLV Mk II could be launched by December-end. We hope this would be a benchmark event in the ISRO programme for indigenous launching technology. Our next step is to develop a bigger cryogenic engine with a stress of 20 tonnes compared to 7.5 tonnes now,”

 

[ajay_ijn]

Gaganaut Training Centre awaits more land near Blore airport
Funds in, astronaut unit awaits more land - Bangalore - City - NEWS - The Times of India

BANGALORE: The money is ready and a bit of land too. But is ‘the bit’ enough? While Isro’s proposed astronaut training centre off Bengaluru International Airport will come up at an initial approved fund of Rs 400-500 crore, work on the centre is set to begin only two to three months from now.

While approval for the centre, specific fund allotment for it and a bit of land have come in after an announcement about the centre was made almost eight months ago, the entire extent of land requested has not come in yet.

“We’ve been given 40 acres. We have requested for 100 acres more. We are in talks with the state government. We plan to begin construction work in two to three months,” Isro chairman G Madhavan Nair told The Times of India, while not stating that lack of land had delayed the centre’s construction plans.

Nair had spoken to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa about Isro’s need for extra land in October 2008. “I have spoken to Yeddyurappa about the 100 acres requirement. He has been very positive about it,” he said.

 

[rahulrds1]

Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle [ GSLV ] - News & Discussions

Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-MK II- to be Launch in December-2009 -- The Times of India.

ISRO preparing for the launch of the Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MK II towards the end of December-2009 that will have an indigenous cryogenic engine.The rocket will carry the GSAT-4(Healthsat) and TAUVEX -2 Israel satellite.

First time Indian cryogenic engine will be used for GSLV. MK II is capable of launching 2500 kg into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

The cryogenic engines that have powered the GSLV rocket so far were sold to India by Russia. Of the seven cryogenic engines supplied, five have now been used. India’s contract with Russia for buying cryogenic engines came under fire from the US which said it was a violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime to which Russia is a signatory.After this India developed own Cryogenic Engine, Eventually, all GSLVs will use the Indian Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) that develops 9 ton of thrust against 7.5 ton of the Russian CUS and carries 15 ton of propellant against 12.5 ton.

It is the most reviewed vehicle and the result of efforts of the last 19 years. ISRO started in 1991 and have reached this stage despite technology denials.

Success of this mission will going to directly affect 'Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System' , chandrayaan II ,MK III mission and 'commercial satellite launching' business.

This is a important mission for India as there is road ahead to compete with China and Japan in Geo Synchronous Satellite launching.

China:-
Long March 2F - Capacity: 3370 kg GTO / 8400 kg LEO (Operational).
Long March 3B - Capacity: 5500 kg GTO / 12000 kg LEO (Operational).
Long March 3B(A) Capacity: 5500 kg GTO / 13000 kg LEO (Under Development).
Long March 5- Capacity: 14000 kg GTO / 25000 kg LEO (Under Development).

Japan:-
H-IIA - Capacity: 4100 kg GTO / 10000 kg LEO (Operational).
H-IIB - Capacity: 8000 kg GTO / 19000 kg LEO (Operational).

India:-
GSLV MK II - Capacity: 2500 kg GTO / 5700 kg LEO (to be launch in early-2010).
GSLV MK III- Capacity: 4500 to 5000 kg GTO / 10000 kg LEO (Under Development).
GSLV MK IV- Capacity: 6500 kg GTO / 15000 kg LEO (will go in development after successful launch of mk2).

LEO : Low Earth orbit
GTO : Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Figures dated 29/09/2009

 

[Yusuf]

So all boils down to the cryogenic engine as other systems are proven. Wish isro all the best.

But I do want to say that the Long march have been plagued by problems and failures. What's the recent history?

 

[Pintu]

Wish ISRO , all the best for the success, with GSLV Mk-II , it will be a mile stone , as it will signal end of our dependence on other for cryogenic engine

Regards

 

[Pintu]

I think GSLV Mk-III , is scheduled to fly on 2010, but can any respected member please cast some light on that ?

Regards

 

[p2prada]

GSLV MK III is slated for launch in 2010-11 period. It could be the one to be used for our manned mission in 2014-15.

 

[prahladh]

What is gaganaut?

 

[rahulrds1]

Indigenous cryogenic engine developed for GSLV MK II
Express News Service First Published : 29 Sep 2009 07:31:16 AM ISTLast Updated :


TIRUNELVELI: The first indigenous cryogenic engine that is set to be installed on GSLV Mk II was flagged off from Mahendragiri Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre here to Sriharikota on Monday.
After flagging it off, ISRO chairman Madhavan Nair told reporters, “We have been using Russian cryogenic engines for the GSLV rocket for taking the satellite to its geo-transfer orbit. With the indigenous engine, we can now become totally self-reliant for GSLV launch.”

The entire engine has been developed with indigenous technology. The ground test has been successfully completed and it is ready for the fire stage.

“GSLV Mk II could be launched by December-end. We hope this would be a benchmark event in the ISRO programme for indigenous launching technology. Our next step is to develop a bigger cryogenic engine with a stress of 20 tonnes compared to 7.5 tonnes now,” he added.

 

[IBM]

can we use these to make ICBM with a range of 5000 to 1500 KM ???????????????? If yes, than why don't we test one to show china ??????

 

[ajay_ijn]

Success of this mission will going to directly affect our 'Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System' , chandrayaan II and MK III missions.

I once read in planning comission report that Indias regional GPS or IRNSS Satellites will be launched by PSLV, each weighing 1200 kg.

 

[ajay_ijn]

What is gaganaut?

i deliberatly changed the name.
gaganaut- Indian Space Traveller (its not final but proposed name)
cosmonaut- Russian space traveller
astronaut- US Space traveller

 

[nitesh]

can we use these to make ICBM with a range of 5000 to 1500 KM ???????????????? If yes, than why don't we test one to show china ??????

this is a new kind of missile. I never heard of such missile even exists.

 

[IBM]

this is a new kind of missile. I never heard of such missile even exists.

ICBM stands for intercontinetal balistic missile .They generally have range from 5000 to 15000 km. My Q was, if we can send these rockets in space can't we modified to ICBM. :viannen_51::viannen_51::viannen_51:

 

[nitesh]

ICBM stands for intercontinetal balistic missile .They generally have range from 5000 to 15000 km. My Q was, if we can send these rockets in space can't we modified to ICBM. :viannen_51::viannen_51::viannen_51:

Pl check the bold portion in my post. I know what ICBM is and India does not have ambition to have missile which will have range more then 5k km (officially declared range). The longest ranged missile Agni V which will have range of 5k km will be tested next year. No further road map has been officially declared and these missiles ar solid fuelled not liquid fuelled like cyo engines hence not modified

 

[ironman]

ISRO developing a more powerful cryogenic engine

ISRO developing a more powerful cryogenic engine ​

Posted by vkthakur on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 (EST)

ISRO, which will flight test its first indigenously developed cryogenic engine in late December this year, is already working on a more powerful followup cryogenic engine. Photo Credit: ISRO​

September 29, 2009, (Sawf News) - ISRO, which will flight test its first indigenously developed cryogenic engine in late December this year, is already working on a more powerful followup cryogenic engine.

"Our next step is to develop a bigger cryogenic engine with a stress of 20 tonnes compared to 7.5 tonnes now," Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), G Madhavan Nair, told PTI.

The current version of the Indigenous Cryogenic Engine (ICU) develops a thrust of 73 kilo Newtons (kN) in vacuum with a specific impulse of 454 seconds and provides a payload capability of 2200 Kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) for GSLV.

It will be flight tested on a GSLV Mk 2 launcher which will place the GSAT-4 satellite in a geosynchronous orbit.

ISRO had earlier announced plans to tweak the ICU to step up its thrust to 90 kN.

One of the most powerful cryogenic engines in use is the RS-24. Three of them power the Space Shuttle at lift off along with two solid rocket boosters. Each RS-24, commonly referred to as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), produces almost 1.8 mega-newtons (MN) or 400,000 lbf of thrust at liftoff.

The two-ton GSAT-4 satellite, besides being used to monitor the performance of the CUS equipped GSLV Mk 2, will also serve as a technology demonstrator.

The satellite will feature a communication payload comprising multi-beam Ka-band pipe and regenerative transponder and navigation payload in C, L1 and L5 bands.

The satellite will also carry a scientific payload, Tauvex, consisting of three ultra violet (UV) band telescopes developed by Tel Aviv University and Israel space agency for surveying a large part of the sky in the 1,400-3,200 angstrom wavelengths.

Amidst the new technologies being tested on board GSAT-4 are stationary plasma thrusters, Bus Management Unit (BMU), miniaturized dynamically tuned gyros, 36 AH Lithium ion battery, 70 V bus for Ka-band and on board structural dynamic vibration beam accelerometer.

GSAT-4 spacecraft will have a power generation capability of 2,500 watts and will be positioned at 82 degrees east longitude in a geo-stationary orbit, about 36,000 km above the earth.

 

[rahulrds1]

ISRO developing a more powerful cryogenic engine

September 29, 2009, (Sawf News) - ISRO, which will flight test its first indigenously developed cryogenic engine in late December this year, is already working on a more powerful followup cryogenic engine.

"Our next step is to develop a bigger cryogenic engine with a stress of 20 tonnes compared to 7.5 tonnes now," Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), G Madhavan Nair, told PTI.

The current version of the Indigenous Cryogenic Engine (ICU) develops a thrust of 73 kilo Newtons (kN) in vacuum with a specific impulse of 454 seconds and provides a payload capability of 2200 Kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) for GSLV.

It will be flight tested on a GSLV Mk 2 launcher which will place the GSAT-4 satellite in a geosynchronous orbit.

ISRO had earlier announced plans to tweak the ICU to step up its thrust to 90 kN.

One of the most powerful cryogenic engines in use is the RS-24. Three of them power the Space Shuttle at lift off along with two solid rocket boosters. Each RS-24, commonly referred to as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), produces almost 1.8 mega-newtons (MN) or 400,000 lbf of thrust at liftoff.

The two-ton GSAT-4 satellite, besides being used to monitor the performance of the CUS equipped GSLV Mk 2, will also serve as a technology demonstrator.

The satellite will feature a communication payload comprising multi-beam Ka-band pipe and regenerative transponder and navigation payload in C, L1 and L5 bands.

The satellite will also carry a scientific payload, Tauvex, consisting of three ultra violet (UV) band telescopes developed by Tel Aviv University and Israel space agency for surveying a large part of the sky in the 1,400-3,200 angstrom wavelengths.

Amidst the new technologies being tested on board GSAT-4 are stationary plasma thrusters, Bus Management Unit (BMU), miniaturized dynamically tuned gyros, 36 AH Lithium ion battery, 70 V bus for Ka-band and on board structural dynamic vibration beam accelerometer.

GSAT-4 spacecraft will have a power generation capability of 2,500 watts and will be positioned at 82 degrees east longitude in a geo-stationary orbit, about 36,000 km above the earth.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Extracting Water From Moon Possible: Indian Scientist

Extracting Water From Moon Possible: Indian Scientist


by Staff Writers
New Delhi, India (XNA) Sep 28, 2009
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman Madhavan Nair on Friday claimed that it is possible to extract water from the Moon just a few hours after it was confirmed that water was present on the lunar surface.

Offering a glimmer of hope to the scientific community that water found on the Moon could be used, Nair said, "It's possible to extract water from moon."

"Chandrayaan has confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon. We have found signature of water on the surface of the Moon. It is embedded on the surface of the Moon. The quantity is also much larger than what was expected. There is a variation in the content of water particles on the surface of the Moon, which reflects that it varies with temperature," said Nair.

The ISRO chief also said that India's Moon mission Chandrayaan-1, which carried the probes that discovered water, was a "110 percent success".

"Earlier I said it has completed 95 percent of mission objectives. Today I say it has done 110 percent. This (discovery of water) was the main motive of the Chandrayaan mission. We as Indians can be really proud that our Chandrayaan made such a major contribution to the discovery of water on the moon," Nair added.

He also said that Chandrayaan-1's finding shattered the belief that "Moon was bone dry".

But Nair also said that the water on moon was not "in the form of sea or lake or puddle or drops. It is embedded on the surface in minerals and rocks".

Nair made the claim while addressing the media just a few hours after America space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) confirmed the presence of water on the Moon and thanked ISRO for carrying its Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) onboard Chandrayaan-1.

ISRO's Moon mission Chandrayaan-1 was launched on Oct. 22, 2008, with 11 scientific instruments onboard but the mission had to be aborted on Aug. 30 after spacecraft lost radio contact with its control station on earth.

Earlier, M3 principal investigator Carle Pieters in a paper published in Science Express, in the Sept. 24 edition said that Chandrayaan-1 found evidence of water on moon.

NASA also said that discovery of water would be crucial for future manned space flights.

 

[Flint]

i deliberatly changed the name.
gaganaut- Indian Space Traveller (its not final but proposed name)
cosmonaut- Russian space traveller
astronaut- US Space traveller

I seriously think we should aviod Gaga-naut. >