Army now wants a small satellite to train its Signals officersThe Army on Thursday issued a request for information (RFI) to Indian companies for designing, developing and fabricating the communication satellite, which will be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of Isro.
“The MCTE is planning to launch a small form factor student satellite with communication payload for training purpose as we need to train our officers on various aspects of space technology in general and about satellite communication in specific,” it added.“It will also include establishment and operation of an earth station, accessing, monitoring and controlling of the satellite to ensure we have a pool of trained manpower available to take on the requirement of planning and providing satellite communication for future,” it said.
We present here a low-cost Raspberry Pi (RPi)-based star sensor StarberrySense using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components, developed and built for applications in small satellites and CubeSat-based missions. A star sensor is one of the essential instruments onboard a satellite for attitude determination. However, most commercially available star sensors are expensive and bulky to be used in small satellite missions. StarberrySense is a configurable system -- it can operate as an imaging camera, a centroiding camera, or as a star sensor. We describe the algorithms implemented in the sensor, its assembly and calibration. This payload was selected by a recent Announcement of Opportunity call for payloads to fly on the PS4-Orbital Platform by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
In this paper, we have presented the design and development of StarberrySense, a low-cost star sensor based on Raspberry Pi Zero. The star sensor was assembled, aligned, calibrated and tested in-house. A computationally-efficient algorithm has been implemented and tested against the real sky conditions, and the results were favourably compared with obtained values from Astrometry.net. The thermal-vacuum test for the star sensor was completed successfully, along with the vibration test as per PSLV launch requirements. The StarberrySense was selected by the recent Announcement of Opportunity call for payloads to fly on the PS4-Orbital Platform by ISRO. PS4- Orbital Platform is an innovative use of the spent PS4 stage (fourth stage of the PSLV) as it has standard interfaces/packages for power and telemetry and can be stabilized. Thus, it can carry the scientific payloads to perform scientific experiments for up to 6 months in LEO. We are preparing the payload for flight before the end of 2022 on board the ISRO PSLV stage-4 platform.Further improvements in the next version of the StarberrySense include an up-gradation of the hardware processing capability with the newer Rpi Zero 2 as well as reduction in form factor and weight of the payload. In addition to that, an improvement in the optics is envisaged to enhance the light collection area and thereby reducing the exposure time.
A Report of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), Indian National Science Academy (INSA), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)For the 44 th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, 16 July – 24 July 2022, Athens, Greece
X-ray Pulsar based Deep Space NavigationRRI has carried out preliminary design studies for development of an X-ray pulsar based navigation system. A proposal for development of a prototype was submitted to ISRO.
Nagpur: The Solar Groups of Nagpur has emerged as the first indigenous supplier of boosters for the Brahmos missiles. The group’s company would also be delivering the first batch of strap-on boosters to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on July 14.
In another development, EEL would be delivering the first batch of strap-on boosters to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on July 14. As the name goes, these boosters are strapped to the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV). These are improved versions of strap-on boosters as compared to those already used by ISRO. The new components can enable PSLVs to carry a substantially enhanced payload, said sources.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, communication satellites viz. GSAT-8, GSAT-10, GSAT-12R (CMS-01), GSAT-14, GSAT-15, GSAT-16, GSAT-17, GSAT-18, GSAT-30 and GSAT-31 have been transferred at a written down value of Rs 4697.60 crores against issue of equity to Government of India, with 01.04.2021 as the effective date of transfer.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, six start-ups were selected and supported by ISRO with a grant-in-aid of maximum of Rs 50 lakhs each in areas like geo spatial information, propulsion and Robotics/ AR/VRUnion Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today informed that six start-ups were selected and supported by ISRO with a grant-in-aid of maximum of Rs 50 lakhs each in areas like geo spatial information, propulsion and Robotics/ AR/VR.In Reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, ISRO along with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog launched ANIC-ARISE-1.0 program that aims to seek, select, support and nurture technology-based innovations that solve sectoral challenges of national importance. The Minister said that twenty-Four start-ups submitted their proposals, out of which six start-ups were selected and supported with a grant-in-aid of maximum of Rs 50 lakhs each.ANIC-ARISE-1.0 has following three space sector challenges to get project proposals from start-ups: (i) geo spatial information, (ii) propulsion and (iii) Robotics/ Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality.ANIC-ARISE-2.0 has been launched with four space sector challenges: (i) GIS solutions, (ii) Propulsion, (iii) Navigation & (iv) AI/ML modelling for space applications, seeking project proposals from start-ups in these areas. Selected start-ups will be supported with a grant-in-aid of maximum of INR 50 lakhs each.
“Expression-of-Interest is invited from aerospace manufacturing Indian Industries for the operation of Integrated Titanium alloy Propellant Tank Production Facility (ITPF) being established by LPSC at Tumakuru campus (60 kms from Bangalore), Karnataka for the production of propellant tanks for various projects of ISRO on Government Owned Company Operated (GOCO) model.”
Vyoma, you know quite a lot about the developments and indigenisation/innovation at ISRO. Were propellant tanks imported at one time for one or more of the stages, or one or more of the satellites. Or were they made on contract in India. And they are now coming into production.
Tankages and structure fabrication has been progressing well at ISRO’s work centre at public sector aerospace industry located at Bengaluru. PS2, PS4, GS2, L40 and L110 stage propellant tanks, feed lines and water tanks were fabricated by the industry. The above industry is also involved in realising the propellant tanks and structures for CUS and C25 projects. Public sector aerospace industry at Thiruvanathapuram realised the L40 propellant tanks, L40 water tank, PS2 clams, RFDS tubes, L40 feed lines and stage and tibia, PS1 SITVC tanks. The augmentation of GSLV Mk-III tankage production facility is progressing well
Production and supply of PS2 & PS4 propellant tanks and Integrated L40 liquid stages for PSLVs are continued with Aerospace Division of HAL
Aluminium Alloy (AA 2219) Tank for PS4: Two PS4 tanks L1.6 & L2.5 designed and realised and design validated
Production of Vikas engines, Cryogenic engines, PS4/RCT engines, PS4 RCS thrusters, propellant tanks, water tanks and stage interface elements continued through industry to meet the mission requirements. Aluminium alloy (AA2219) PS4 propellant tanks (2 nos.) were realized & qualified for use in PS4 stage as part of reducing the cost as well as meeting the enhanced launch frequency.
