ISRO news and views

[nitesh]

check the brochure
http://isro.org/pslv-c12/C12RISATBr...4=0&bcsi_scan_filename=C12RISATBrochure-2.pdf

we can scan every 90 minutes

 

[nitesh]

PSLV - C12 Lift Off View - 1

PSLV - C12 Lift Off View - 2

PSLV - C12 Lift Off View - 3

PSLV - C12 Lift Off View - 4

PSLV - C12 Lift Off View - 5

From: ISRO

 

[nitesh]

http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/000200904201412.htm

Final countdown of RISAT2 marked by anxious moments

Sriharikota (PTI): The final countdown to the launch of RISAT2 satellite was marked by some anxious moments before ISRO scientists overcame a last minute glitch.

An 'umblical' connector from the top of PSLV-C12 got detached from the launch vehicle and fell on the others and about half a dozen connectors were "thrown out", ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair told reporters here.

"As usual, we had some drama yesterday on the countdown process. Last time (during launch of Chandrayaan-1 moon mission), it was the monsoon and rain which played havoc."

"This time, it (connector) simply fell on the connectors behind one after the other. About half a dozen connectors were thrown out. With that condition, we could not have gone on with the launch," he said.

But he said the ISRO team, being "real crisis managers," rose to the ocassion and made up six hours of countdown time working without a break, setting everything right and putting it all back.

"I don't think we can do better precision navigation than what happened yesterday," he said after the successful launch of the satellite.

Describing RISAT2 as a "new year gift" to the country, he said it would be an asset and that only four nations had so far successfully launched such satellites.

Mr. Nair said every sub-system on board has performed to full satisfaction. The uniqueness of this mission was that for the first time, an indigenous computer, called advance mission computer, has been put on board, replacing the 30-year-old microcomputer.

"In the past, we have been depending heavily on the Canadian Radar satellite for our usage. Now we will become independent with our own indigenous capabilities in having the Radar imaging. It has got a very wide variety of application especially for the disaster management."

Mr. Nair said it is the first time that India is possessing a satellite working on microwave band, with the capacity to see through the clouds and can identify objects on the ground like water bodies, forest coverage and vegetation very precisely.

He declined to reveal the cost of the satellite, citing "commercial secrecy".

 

[nitesh]

from above link guys we achieved something more apart form launching the satellite

Mr. Nair said every sub-system on board has performed to full satisfaction. The uniqueness of this mission was that for the first time, an indigenous computer, called advance mission computer, has been put on board, replacing the 30-year-old microcomputer.

 

[nitesh]

ok guys let us stick to official lines now ha ha ha

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-satellite-ISRO-chief/articleshow/4422951.cms

RISAT-2 not a spy satellite: ISRO chief
20 Apr 2009, 1300 hrs IST, IANS

SRIHARIKOTA: The radar imaging satellite (RISAT-2) launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Sriharikota on Monday is owned and operated by ISRO, its chief said, dismissing reports labelling RISAT-2 a "spy satellite".

"This is an imaging satellite that can identify features on ground. There is nothing as a spy satellite. Though the satellite has a global coverage we will use it only for our use," ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair told reporters at a post-launch press conference.

He was reacting to media reports terming RISAT a spy satellite or defence surveillance satellite launched by ISRO's workhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) early morning on Monday.

However, informed sources said the satellite's synthetic aperture radar gives it day-night capability and the ability to look through clouds and fog, thus giving it defence applications.

The satellite launched on Monday is actually RISAT-2 that was fast-tracked in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in place of the RISAT-1 that ISRO is developing.

The PSLV rocket also sent into orbit a micro-educational satellite Anusat built by Anna University with funding support from ISRO.

Though the launch went as planned, ISRO scientists spent tense hours Sunday as one of the umbilical chords holding the rocket to the launch pad fell off, damaging nearly six connectors.

"Six hours of countdown time were spent on setting things right," Nair said.

According to Nair, RISAT-2 has been positioned at a 41 degree inclination to enable it revisit a spot at frequent intervals.

Queried about the need for ISRO developing another such satellite, Ranganath R. Navalgund, director of the Space Applications Centre, said: "With two satellites the frequency of visits increases."

According to him, satellites orbiting in some frequencies cannot look at the earth very closely.

Not disclosing the price paid to the Israel Aerospace Industry, with which RISAT has been developed, Nair said: "Normally a remote sensing satellite weighing one tonne would cost around Rs 80 crore. This spacecraft is much smaller."

India now joins a select group of countries in the world like Canada, Israel, Japan and a few others in having such a precision satellite.

He said the launch of Anusat has prompted six other educational institutions like IIT-Kanpur and VIT-Vellore to approach ISRO for building such satellites.

Answering a question on the six month old Chandrayaan-1 moon mission, an official said the satellite was continuously sending data as it orbited the lunar surface.

On the status of the Chandrayaan-2 project, TK Alex, director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, said: "The project planning is in full swing. The two phased project will involve orbiting the moon and soft landing on the moon surface."

He said ISRO is working with the Russian space agency and is in the process of finalizing the test equipment that would go with the two rovers that would soft land on the moon.

"Engineering activity for the project is on and the launch will happen sometime in 2011 or early 2012," Alex said.

According to K Radhakrishnan, director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO's manned space mission involving an outlay of Rs 12,400 crore has got the green signal from the Planning Commission.

"We have to build a new launch pad, facilitation centre for the crew and mission control centre for manned rockets," he said, adding the rocket's cabin would also have to be certified for human worthiness.

"We will first send a couple of developmental flights (test rockets) before putting human beings inside a rocket," Radhakrishnan added.

 

[Soham]

Great photographs nitesh.

 

[nitesh]

ok now something more then satellite launch we achieved a lot of things:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...llite-goes-into-orbit/articleshow/4424753.cms

India's spy satellite goes into orbit
20 Apr 2009, 1451 hrs IST, IANS

SRIHARIKOTA: India's defence surveillance capabilities received a quantum boost Monday with the launch of an all-weather day-night spy satellite that has the capability to look through clouds and fog.

The launch of the radar imaging satellite RISAT-2, equipped with a sophisticated Israeli-built synthetic aperture radar (SAR) was hastened in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, ahead of RISAT-1 that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is still building.

At 6.45 am, the ISRO workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) soared aloft with a deep throated growl with 340 kg of luggage - the 300-kg RISAT-2 and the 40-kg Anusat educational satellite built by Chennai's Anna University with funding from ISRO.

After 17 minutes into the flight guided by ISRO-developed navigation systems, the 229-tonne rocket slung RISAT-2 540 km above the earth and Anusat 10 km further two minutes later to place them into their intended orbits.

Immediately after their launch, the Spacecraft Control Centre at Bangalore with the help of ISTRAC network of stations at Bangalore, Lucknow, Mauritius and in other places monitored the trajectories of the two satellites.

ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said: "This is a fantastic New Year gift for the country. We are happy. Performance of the vehicle is precise. There is no deviation to the planned flight path. Both the spacecraft were delivered into orbit."

Nair hastened to add that RISAT-2 "is an imaging satellite that can identify features on ground. There is nothing as a spy satellite. Though the satellite has a global coverage we will use it only for our use."

However, the presence of the SAR on board made it clear that it would largely be used for military purposes, particularly along the India-Pakistan frontier in Jammu and Kashmir, informed sources said.

According to Nair, RISAT-2 has been positioned at a 41 degree inclination to enable it revisit a spot at frequent intervals.

Queried about the need for ISRO developing another such satellite, Ranganath R. Navalgund, director of the Space Applications Centre, said: "With two satellites the frequency of visits increases."

According to him, satellites orbiting in some frequencies cannot look at the earth very closely.

Not disclosing the price paid to the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), with which RISAT-2 has been developed, Nair said: "Normally a remote sensing satellite weighing one tonne would cost around Rs.80 crore (Rs.800 million). This spacecraft is much smaller."

India now joins a select group of countries in the world like Canada, Israel, Japan and a few others in having such a precision satellite.

Nair also said 2009 was going to be a big year for ISRO. "We will be launching Resourcesat, Oceansat and others. An indigenously developed cryogenic engine will be inducted this year."

India is a world leader in the remote sensing data market and with the launch of RISAT-2, ISRO will have nine remote sensing satellites in orbit. The others are IRS 1D, Resourcesat 1, TES, Cartosat 1, 2 and 2A, IMS 1 and Oceansat 1.

The other remote sensing satellites slated for launch are Oceansat-2, Radar Imaging Satellite, Resourcesat-2.

"Oceansat-2 is expected to be launched this June or July using PSLV. Piggy-backing will be a Swiss-owned micro satellite. Following that will be the launch of GSAT with Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) that will be fitted with indigenous cryogenic engine," S. Sathish, director (publications and public relations) at ISRO, told IANS.

He said the year-end will see the launch of remote sensing satellite Resourcesat and communications satellite INSAT 3D.

The micro education satellite Anusat, built by Anna University and having a life span of one year, will carry out drought and wasteland monitoring, urban planning and other studies.

"Anusat is expected to prod other Indian universities to built satellites and focus on space technologies," Satish added.

One of the notable aspects of the rocket that went up is its avionics built by ISRO. It also weighs less than earlier systems.

The Indian space agency first tested its new avionics system called Advanced Avionics Module (AAM) on board PSLV that was launched in April 2007 with two equipment bays.

The first bay had ISRO's regular navigation system while the second one had the 185-kg AAM.

Satisfied with the test flight results, the Indian space agency initially thought of inducting the indigenous system into operation first in its bigger rocket GSLV and later in PSLV.

However, the scheme of deployment has been reversed now.

"The ISRO developed microprocessor Vikram is faster than what is being used till date," said Satish.

 

[sayareakd]

yeah i also first though how come RISAT II come before RISAT I, it appers that GOI has given go ahead only after RAW and our forces made lot of noises about adequite spy satellites.

 

[Pintu]

From: ISRO

a majestic lift-off of PSLV C-12 in core alone configuration, hats off to the scientists of ISRO and congratulation to them for making the mission successful despite all odds , they make our country proud.

Regards Nitesh for such a nice update.

MOD EDIT: I just removed the pictures where unnecessarily taking the space

 

[SATISH]

We seem to be launching atleast 10 satellites a year....Way to go ISRO...hope the satellite launches increase every year. Any news on the Lunar Rover yet?

 

[Pintu]

The way they managed the last minute crisis that is unimaginable , congratulation to them, also this is most noted thing that as you marked the lines , the 30 year old micro computers is replaced by advanced mission computer, it is definitely an achievement as it is not easy to replace a system that worked as backbone and brain of the launch vehicles for 30 years.

Regards

 

[Soham]

We seem to be launching atleast 10 satellites a year....Way to go ISRO...hope the satellite launches increase every year. Any news on the Lunar Rover yet?

If you mean Chandrayaan-2, then its Russia's responsibility to design the rover, not ours. ISRO will have the prime responsibility for the Orbiter and Roskosmos will be responsible for the Lander/Rover.

Chandrayaan-2 is not completely Indian, its a joint venture between ISRO and Roskosmos.

 

[Pintu]

ok guys let us stick to official lines now ha ha ha

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-satellite-ISRO-chief/articleshow/4422951.cms

The chairman of ISRO, eminent scientist G. Madhavan Nair has ruled out the labellings of RISAT-2 as 'Spy Satellite' though the day night capabilities and its ability to see through cloud and fogs , gives it the capability of a spy satellite, however one thing he has stated that, Satellite has global coverage and they will use it for own use, as ISRO is a civilian organisation and we keep defence research and space technology separately, though they are related. However, in my opinion we can see the ISRO 'Bhuban' coming out short duration, I may be wrong in my assumption. However, we can hope very brightly the RISAT-1 which is still on developmental stage , will be very powerful like this one. Anusat's importance is not only that it is the first satellite built by an Indian University , but its importance lies in experience gained by the students immensely. They are now open to the sphere called the development of a satellite. It is a great news that 6 other educational institutions are coming up with the same proposal for building the satellites. Importance also on the eminent scientist Mr. Nair's statement that the satellite is placed on 41 degree inclination, to revisit a spot frequently and hinted that the next satellite( RISAT-I) will be placed on the same way to revisit a certain point so that view of the certain point may not be missed. It is very exciting to know that Chandrayaan -II is in full swing , and on schedule (2011 or early 2012 as stated by eminent scientist T. Alex). The very good news of having nod from the Planning Commission of Rs. 12400 crore for manned mission. The plan new launch pad, felicitation centre for the crew, mission control centre are all great news. The developmental flights will not only the test of rocket , but will also test the capsule. The statement about rocket's cabin development means that new plan outlay also include, the development and compatibility test, hit resistance power etc., for the Human flight.

Regards to Nitesh for such a nice update.

 

[Pintu]

ok now something more then satellite launch we achieved a lot of things:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...llite-goes-into-orbit/articleshow/4424753.cms

Congratulation to the ISRO scientists for launching the RISAT-II and successfully placed it on a desired orbit.

Not to mentioning the Anusat's importance for our country's students' involvement in the development the satellite, as the students are the future of a nation, the students' active involvement in this sphere is sure a necessary leap forward.

The importance of the launch vehicle having lesser weight effective avionics in form AAM and use of the faster microprocessor Vikram is immense. It is a boon of reversal that this all used effectively on the work horse PSLV first, as GSLV is is being matured with redesigned, I think we can see these working on GSLV that will launch GSAT this year using our home grown cryogenic engine. The launch of Oceansat-2, Radar imaging Satellite and Resourcesat-2 will suddenly contribute immensely and benefit greatly, with Oceansat-2 and piggy backing a Swiss own micro satellite , demonstrate our capabilities for launching multi-satellite in a single mission not only for once but at regular, and the maturity of launch systems, most importantly we will look forward for successful launch of GSAT by GSLV using our own home grown cryogenic stage, that will effectively end our dependence on the foreign country, and starting of our total self independence on the field of satellite launching. However, launch of INSAT 3D is stated to be in the year end, In my opinion it can be GSLV Mk. - II and if that happens it is great. Now for the cost of RISAT, Mr. Nair hinted that cost is far less that Rs. 80 crore. As per his logic I assume the cost may between Rs. 30 -40 crore.

Regards

 

[venkat]

congratulations!

Congratulation to the ISRO scientists for launching the RISAT-II and successfully placed it on a desired orbit. Any more details of the VIKRAM processor? could be a 32 bit RISC like the intel I960...developed on an FPGA. because we dont have the silicon foundry to make the chip in india. might have been fabricated in austria,UK,USA ? Semiconconductor complex ,chandigarh is simply dozing these days i think.... This chip has a potential to be used in LCA flight control DFCC as well!

 

[nitesh]

good info
India’s $200M TECSAR Satellite Purchase Launched

 

[nitesh]

PM, Speakerhail ISRO scientists on RISAT launch

also check this:

http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/21/stories/2009042158000100.htm

Surveillance satellite put in orbit by PSLV

T.S. Subramanian

Photo: K. Pichumani

PRECISE MISSION: The PSLV-C12 blasts off with RISAT-2 and Anusat on board from Sriharikota on Monday. —


CHENNAI: In a flawless mission, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C12) on Monday put in orbit Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-2), a surveillance satellite, which could keep a watch on the country’s borders.

This is the first time the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is putting in orbit a RISAT in the micro-wave band. It can take images of the earth day and night, see through clouds and identify objects on the ground.

The 300-kg RISAT-2 has been procured from Israel. Anusat, built by Anna University, Chennai, was also put in orbit by the PSLV-C12.

It is an experimental communication satellite meant for storing and relaying information.

Asked whether the RISAT-2’s synthetic aperture radar operating in the X-band meant that it would be used for defence applications, ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair said, “There is nothing like a spy satellite in our agenda. We have only earth observation, communication and scientific satellites.”

The RISAT-2 could precisely look at water bodies and vegetation. Its images would have wide ramifications in managing disasters such as cyclones, floods and landslips.

It would also be “a powerful tool” in estimating the paddy acreage.

However, informed sources said the RISAT-2 would be used for surveillance purposes and its images would be used for identifying arms caches and bunkers.

 

[nitesh]

http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/21/stories/2009042160091300.htm

A brilliant spectacle in eastern horizon

T.S. Subramanian


CHENNAI: It was brilliant spectacle in the eastern horizon as the PSLV-C12 rose from the spaceport at Sriharikota at the appointed time of 6.45 a.m. on Monday. As the four-stage rocket sped up in a straight path with the early morning sun behind it, a fabulous-looking shadow of the rocket’s smoke trail painted itself in the sky.

It was a wonderful sight again, in the backdrop of a clear sky, to see the vehicle’s first stage discard itself and the rocket majestically continuing its journey into space.

At the end of about 18 minutes of flight, the fourth stage injected RISAT-2 at a velocity of 26,000 km an hour into orbit at an altitude of 550 km. About a minute later, the 38-kg Anusat was in orbit.

This was the 14th successful flight in a row for the PSLV.

ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair called it a “precise” mission with “no deviation whatsoever in the flight parameters.” He described the launch as “more thrilling than a cricket match” because during the countdown, “we put up boundaries and [delivered] googlies and finally achieved it.”

He was referring to a “drama” on Sunday afternoon when an umbilical cord detached itself from the rocket and fell on the connectors, disrupting the filling of the fuel in the rocket. Six hours of the 48-hour countdown were lost.

“In that condition, we could not have run the launch,” he said. However, the ISRO’s crisis managers rose to the occasion and “without even having a cup of tea, made everything all right, and the result is we have gone on the dot,” he said at a press conference after the launch of the satellites.

Mr. Nair said it would be “a season of fireworks” this year at Sriharikota with a series of “major missions” lined up by the ISRO. By June end, a PSLV will put in orbit ISRO’s Oceansat-2. Another PSLV will deploy in orbit Resourcesat-2. A Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, with an indigenous cryogenic stage, would also lift off from Sriharikota. The indigenous Radar Imaging Satellite RISAT-1 too may go up by this year-end.

Asked at what cost the RISAT-2 was bought from Israel, Mr. Nair said, “We had cooperation with the Israel Aerospace Industries” in building the RISAT-2. He, however, declined to reveal its commercial aspects.

The RISAT-2 had a micro-wave radar imaging configuration. Till now, the ISRO’s earth observation satellites operated in the visible and infra-red region. For the first time, the ISRO would have a satellite operating in the micro-wave band. It could precisely take images of objects on the ground. It would be an asset to the country, he asserted. Only Japan, the European Space Agency, Canada and Israel could build radar imaging satellites.

R.R. Navalgund, Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, said a radar imaging satellite in the micro-wave region operating in the X or C or L band facilitated better disaster management, as it had enhanced capability to discriminate ground features and had higher frequency of visits.

A lot of data could be stored in Anusat built by Anna University, its Vice-Chancellor Dr. P. Mannar Jawahar said.

It had the capability to relay messages from one station to another in digital format, said Mr. Nair.

While George Koshy was the Mission Director of the PSLV-12, C. Venugopal was the Vehicle Director. R.N. Tyagi was the Satellite Director for the RISAT-2 and K.S.V. Seshadri the Project Director of Anusat.

Manned missions

About the ISRO’s plans to send an Indian into space, K. Radhakrishnan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said the mission had four major elements: setting up facilities to train astronauts, building a new launch pad at Sriharikota and establishing facilities to enable the crew to get into the vehicle and a mission control centre to communicate with the astronauts all through the mission.

A GSLV would put the module carrying two Indian astronauts into space. They would stay in space for seven days. The module would orbit at an altitude of 400 km to 700 km.

Dr. Radhakrishnan said, “We need to develop crew modules. We need to have developmental flights. We need to test the vehicle without humans first. All these require the development of critical technologies.”

Another important issue related to re-entry technology. The Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) in January 2007 was a major input for this technology. The ISRO aimed to put Indian astronauts in space in seven years from now. The project would cost Rs.12, 400 crores.

Chandrayaan-1 completed six months in orbit on Sunday, said S.K. Shivakumar, Director, ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bangalore. The spacecraft was doing well. “We are doing manoeuvres with it every month,” he added.

N. Narayana Moorthy, Project Director, GSLV Mark III, said the ground testing of the new vehicle’s major propulsion systems would be done at Sriharikota in August. “All facilities are ready. The hardware is ready.”

The first cryogenic engine for the vehicle would be ready for testing by this year-end. The GSLV Mark III would lift off in 2011.

 

[nitesh]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-20-voa13.cfm

India Launches High-Tech Imaging Satellite
By Steve Herman
New Delhi
20 April 2009


India has launched a sophisticated Israeli-built all-weather imaging satellite. The technology will give India the capability to more closely track activities in neighboring countries, especially its traditional military foe, Pakistan.

India has put into orbit its most sophisticated imaging satellite. Experts say the RISAT-2 will allow India's security agencies to monitor military activities and movements of suspected terrorists in neighboring countries.

Independent aerospace and defense analyst Lance Gatling, in Tokyo, tells VOA News the Israeli-built satellite contains X-band synthetic aperture radar designed to observe grounds targets down to one meter in size.

"It doesn't use ambient light so it can actually see through clouds and it can also see in total darkness," Gatling explained.

India's existing satellites often get blinded at night and during the monsoon season.

Indian media reports say the 300 kilogram satellite will be in an orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers. It is expected to have a lifespan of three years.

Shortly after the launch the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), G. Madhavan Nair, in an interview with NDTV, downplayed the intelligence capabilities of the new satellite.

"Actually that is not in the agenda of ISRO," Nair said. "This is essentially meant for peaceful applications like disaster management support and things like that. It is the security agencies who will procure the images and do whatever they want."

The Press Trust of India, in its dispatch from the Sriharikota barrier island launch site, just off the coast of Andhra Pradesh, reported the RISAT-2 is primarily intended to keep a round-the-clock eye on India's border and aid anti-terrorist operations.

Other reports say the technology will also allow India to track Pakistani and Chinese ballistic missile launches.

Only several other countries have reconnaissance satellites of this sophistication.

The rocket lift-off Monday morning, using India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, is the latest example of a burgeoning relationship in the defense arena between India and Israel, according to analyst Lance Gatling.

"It's interesting that they would get it from Israel because Israel itself launched its own similar satellite on an Indian rocket because they could get a better orbit from India," Gatling said. "So they actually have a very pragmatic relationship and it's growing. I understand Israel is now the second largest export of arms to India."

Russia remains the top weapon supplier to India.

The C-12 rocket which carried the RISAT-2 also put into an orbit another satellite, named ANUSAT. The amateur communications micro-satellite, weighing less than 50 kilograms, is the first one in India designed and built by university students.

 

[nitesh]

ISRO Going Full Blast With Chandrayaan-2