ISRO Annual Report is available now (2020/2021)
BENGALURU: Space PSU New Space India Limited (NSIL), whose mandate has now been expanded to own and operate capital-intensive assets — satellites and launch vehicles — has plans of investing around Rs 10,000 crore over the next five years and says it has a manpower requirement of 300.The firm, incorporated on March 6, 2019, is also in talks with the department of space (DoS) to acquire Isro’s remote sensing and communication satellites’ fleet, Narayanan G, CMD, NSIL, said on Friday.“We are looking to invest around Rs 2,000 crore per year beginning next year for about five years. And, for five years, we are estimating the manpower requirement at around 300,” Radhakrishnan Durairaj, executive director, said, adding that the company will raise money through both equity and debt.The PSU, which has a paid up capital of Rs 10 crore and an authorised capital of Rs 100 crore, was allocated Rs 700 crore by the Centre in 2021-22 budget but the modalities of how this money will be granted have not yet been worked out.Durairaj said: “Last year (2019-20) we earned a revenue of around Rs 300 crore and we will end this year with around Rs 400 crore. Our projections for 2021-22 are similar and we anticipate another Rs 400 crore.”While the revenue earned so far have mostly been from services, the firm just completed its first dedicated launch on February 28. “We have contracts for four more dedicated launches but our NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) prevent us from revealing more details. All are forieng satellites,” Durairaj added.TOI had reported in the last week of February that the PSU had contracts for two dedicated satellites from a Southeast Asian country and that it was devising strategies to compete with the likes of US’ SpaceX, to capture the global launch market.
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA MAR 16, 2021 09:05:03 ISTThe Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) intends to offload most of its space- related activities to industry and enhance focus on advanced research, its Chairman Dr K Sivan has said, as the government opens up the sector to get private players onboard. Sivan, also Secretary in the Department of Space (DoS), said the reforms initiated in the sector by the government in June last year to promote enhanced private participation in the space domain has generated enthusiasm among the industry. "Future of space activities is now changing. Otherwise, (earlier) all the space activities were done by only ISRO. Now, we are giving equal opportunity to private players to also do it", he said.Sivan was addressing a webinar organised by the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) on 'Future of Aerospace & Avionics in India'. He said ISRO can share its technologies with private players and is giving them opportunity to utilise its facilities."We want to hand-hold them to bring them to our [ISRO’s] level so that most activities that ISRO is doing can be offloaded to industry, and we can spend more time on advanced research to take India to the next level (in the space sector)," he said.As part of space reforms for 'Unlocking the space potential of India' to enable private players to carry out end-to-end space activities, the establishment of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has also been announced.An autonomous body under the DoS, IN-SPACe acts as a single window nodal agency for enabling and regulating space activities and usage of ISRO facilities by NGPEs (non- government private entities). It works out a suitable mechanism to offer sharing of technology, expertise and facilities free of cost wherever feasible or at reasonable cost basis to promote NGPEs.Sivan, however, made it clear in the interaction with students and faculty of the Dehradun-based private university last Friday that Bengaluru-headquartered ISRO is not looking at collaboration with NGPEs at this stage.ISRO can only have collaboration with partners with equal strength, like international space agencies, he argued, noting that NGPEs in the space sector are still in the growth stage.The space agency at present is enabling industry to "come up to [its] level"."That is a process. We are hoping that once they grow to our level, then definitely we will be able to have collaboration," he added.
For the first time in the country, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully demonstrated free-space Quantum Communication over a distance of 300 m. A number of key technologies were developed indigenously to accomplish this major feat, which included the use of indigenously developed NAVIC receiver for time synchronization between the transmitter and receiver modules, and gimbal mechanism systems instead of bulky large-aperture telescopes for optical alignment.The demonstration has included live videoconferencing using quantum-key-encrypted signals. This is a major milestone achievement for unconditionally secured satellite data communication using quantum technologies.The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology underpins Quantum Communication technology that ensures unconditional data security by virtue of the principles of quantum mechanics, which is not possible with the conventional encryption systems. The conventional scamsystems used for data-encryption rely on the complexity of mathematical algorithms, whereas the security offered by quantum communication is based on the laws of Physics. Therefore, quantum scamgraphy is considered as ‘future-proof’, since no future advancements in the computational power can break quantum-scamsystem.The free-space QKD was demonstrated at Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, between two line-of-sight buildings within the campus. The experiment was performed at night, in order to ensure that there is no interference of the direct sunlight.The experiment is a major breakthrough towards ISRO’s goal of demonstrating Satellite Based Quantum Communication (SBQC), where ISRO is gearing up to demonstrate the technology between two Indian ground stations.
ISRO embarking on Replicating NASA Partnership Model in IndiaISRO embarking on replicating NASA partnership model in IndiaPTILast Updated: Mar 26, 2021, 01:59 PM ISTThe Bengaluru-headquarteted space agency is striking a partnership with the IIST -- something similar to the JPL- Caltech model in the United States.AgenciesThe ISRO is embarking on a mission of a different kind by taking the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) to a much higher, futuristic research orbit.The Bengaluru-headquarteted space agency is striking a partnership with the IIST -- something similar to the JPL- Caltech model in the United States.JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) is federally funded by US space agency NASA and managed by Caltech (California Institute of Technology).To coordinate joint research activities between ISRO centres and IIST, akin to the Caltech-JPL model, a dedicated framework has now been put into place, with CBPO (Capacity Building Programme Office) located at ISRO headquarters as a focal point.An Advanced Space Research Group has been created to identify application-oriented research projects of importance to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) centres and matching with the interests of IIST faculty.An Empowered Overseeing Committee has been constituted to review and approve the proposals.CBPO Director, P V Venkitakrishnan told PTI that under the initiative, "very advanced, totally new and futuristic projects" -- nothing that has been done by ISRO -- would be taken up."Twenty-eight to 30 projects have been identified", he said.It's a mix of two-years, 3-5 years, and seven-year projects that would be pursued by IIST faculty.Thiruvananthapuram-based IIST, an autonomous institution under the Department of Space (DoS) and a 'Deemed to be University', is similar to Caltech, according to him.Asked about the time-frame by which he expects the partnership to reach the JPL-Caltech level, Venkitakrishnan said: "We are expecting within eight to ten years. That is our ambition, our aim"....Venkitakrishnan said through the Post-doctoral fellowship programme offered by IIST, ISRO wants to attract more and more talent towards space research.He also said that the Union government has been requested to accord 'Institute of National Importance' status to IIST.Once approved, various ISRO centres would become constituent learning centres, allowing IIST to have a wider off-campus, he said.
Space theme based Merchandize1. IntroductionCustomized ISRO-theme based articles / models can play a game-changing role in creatingawareness and kindling interest of the students, children and public, in the domain ofspace science & technology, propagating the achievements and laurels of ISRO bringingto the nation. Of late, many agencies interested in creating customised articles /handicrafts approached ISRO for the themes. ISRO proposes to identify and authoriseparties / agencies on “non exclusive basis”, with a registration fee as stipulated in thedocument for sharing the themes, general arrangement drawings, images or any otherdesign for enabling the parties to use appropriately without causing any damage to thepride of the department2. ThemesSpecific samples of ISRO identifiers, shall be catalogued and made available in ISRO’swebsite, under CBPO, updated from time to time. Parties/ agencies interested in creatingISRO-themed merchandise items/ articles can make use of these resources by registeringwith ISRO, as per the terms and conditions given below.3. Registration ProcedureInterested firms/agencies may fill the details as per the prescribed format enclosed to theAnnouncement of Opportunity, and shall submit a proposal to CBPO, outlining theirprofile and proposed product details, describing the intended use of ISRO identifiers orimagery on the product. ISRO shall evaluate the parties / agencies and shortlist them forentering into an agreement for sharing the themes.Director,Capacity Building Programme Office (CBPO),Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road,Bengaluru- 560094.Email: [email protected]
ISRO plans for nuclear energy use in spaceOn 28 January, 2021, the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) invited proposals for the three phase development of a 100 Watt Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG). As ISRO’s lead centre for design, development, fabrication, and testing of all Indian-made satellites, the centre envisions using RTG for power generation and thermal management of ISRO’s deep space missions. With plans of setting up a space station, and launching the first Indian human space flight mission, Gaganyaan; the first Indian solar observatory, Aditya L-1; the second Indian space telescope XPoSat; Mangalyaan-2 to Mars; Chandrayaan-3 as a reattempt to land on the Moon; and the Venus orbiter mission Shukrayaan; ISRO has embarked on a monumental journey of exploring remote and challenging environments. It has told the world that India does not want to be a nascent space player anymore.Against this backdrop, the decision to invest in nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) appears inevitable. RTGs are not new but the use of nuclear energy for launching rockets had been long given up, though small nuclear-powered rovers like the US’s Perseverance have been in use. RTGs were first used in space during the Cold War in 1961 for the US’s Transit-4A Mission. Since then, the erstwhile Soviet Union had launched over two dozen nuclear-powered space objects. However, budget constraints, complicated designs, progress in alternative sources of energy, and the possibility of escalation of the Cold War led to the curtailment of nuclear propulsion projects.RTGs are not new but the use of nuclear energy for launching rockets had been long given up, though small nuclear-powered rovers like the US’s Perseverance have been in useNow, as the importance of the space frontier and the desire to make new scientific discoveries increase, nuclear power sources have come into the spotlight once more. RTGs provide power by using thermocouples to convert thermal energy generated by the natural decay of radioactive isotopes into electrical energy. They are highly reliable and maintenance-free as the absence of moving parts in thermocouples reduces the chances of failure and wear out. Nuclear-propelled rockets are more fuel efficient and lighter than chemical rockets. Hence, they would travel further, are faster, and would shorten the trip time. At the India Energy Forum, the US Energy Secretary, Dan Brouillette, emphasised this when he claimed that the new fuel would allow a trip to and from Mars on ‘one tank of gas’. “What would take years, would take only months (now),” he said. This would also prove beneficial for human space travel. The astronauts’ exposure to harmful space radiations would be lessened, thereby, decreasing the mission’s overall risk. The Chief Engineer of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, Jeff Sheehy, notes “the longer you’re out there, the more time there is for stuff to go wrong”....
BENGALURU: UK-based global firm OneWeb, which already has 322 satellites in orbit, will be using Isro’s most powerful launch vehicle — the GSLV-Mk3 — and the space agency’s workhorse, the PSLV to launch satellites from Indian soil.Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman, Bharti Enterprises, the largest stakeholder of OneWeb, said on Monday: “The collaboration with Isro is moving along and I am happy to announce that we have made arrangements to use Isro’s workhorse PSLV and importantly the new rocket with a very large payload capacity, the GSLV-Mk3, to launch OneWeb satellites from the Indian soil.”
TOI was the first to report last week that GSLV-Mk3 will, for the first time since its development, has got inquiries for launching commercial satellites and that an “announcement about the same is expected very soon.”So far all of DoS’ commercial launches have been carried out by its workhorse PSLV. In the past decade or so, the PSLV has put into orbit nearly 320 foreign satellites and earned a foreign exchange revenue of multiple million dollars.
In the past few years, Isro has been looking at leveraging the more powerful class of rockets — the GSLV family — for commercial launches but with no success. “Although we’ve been looking at using GSLV for commercial launches, we had not put it out there until now. And after this project is materialised, you will see a lot more GSLV-Mk3 commercial launches,” another source said.
The assembly of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which is due to launch an earth observation satellite (EOS) in the third quarter, has been stopped at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota range, according to reliable sources.Engineers were tight-lipped when asked for the reasons for the standstill. Sources said that the first stage of the rocket had been assembled and they were awaiting directions to proceed further.
On August 4, Union minister of state for space, Jithendra Singh had told Nama Nageswara Rao in Parliament that the PSLV rocket, numbered C52, would launch EOS-04 in the third quarter.In fact, four EOSes were to have been launched in the last two quarters.Apart from PSLV-C52, according to the minister, the GSLV-F10 was to launch the EOS3 in the third quarter followed in the fourth quarter by the first developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, SSLV-D1 with the EOS-02 and the launch of EOS-06 aboard the PSLV-C53.
Searching for an explanation for the delay, a former ISRO engineer opined that the government’s decision to involve the private sector in space missions could be the reason for rocket launches getting rescheduled.
Looks like matters related private consortia causing delays at ISRO rocket assembly plant: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/261021/assembly-of-pslv-stopped-to-involve-private-sector-in-space-missions.htmlQuoteThe assembly of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which is due to launch an earth observation satellite (EOS) in the third quarter, has been stopped at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota range, according to reliable sources.<snip>Searching for an explanation for the delay, a former ISRO engineer opined that the government’s decision to involve the private sector in space missions could be the reason for rocket launches getting rescheduled.
The assembly of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which is due to launch an earth observation satellite (EOS) in the third quarter, has been stopped at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota range, according to reliable sources.<snip>Searching for an explanation for the delay, a former ISRO engineer opined that the government’s decision to involve the private sector in space missions could be the reason for rocket launches getting rescheduled.
Nobody in India is covering the launch delays?Especially if launch processing at Sriharikota has halted, either on orders from ISRO, or as some kind of strike?
After the Covid pandemic cast a shadow over Isro’s mission launches for over a year, now it is the flood situation in Andhra Pradesh that is stalling satellite launches at the SHAR launch centre in Sriharikota, a barrier island located in Nellore district of the state.Isro sends key satellites and rocket components from its centres in Kerala and Karnataka to Sriharikota by road for assembling and launch. As many arterial roads in Nellore have to be closed due to the floods, Isro is not able to finalise its launches.Isro chairman K Sivan told TOI, "We have been working on three launches, including the small satellite launch vehicle (mini-PSLV) launch, before the year ends. But due to heavy rain and floods in Andhra, we have to reassess the situation... We can decide on the three launches only when the flood situation improves."
