The Indian Army has completed its communication exercise by testing all of its space-based assets to ensure their operational readiness.
In a five-day-long exercise, the Army utilised the services of several satellites belonging to the Indian Space research organisation (ISRO).The entire range of the Army's satellite communication assets was activated from July 25 to July 29 which was codenamed 'Skylight'.The Army tested static terminals, transportable vehicle-mounted terminals, man-portable and small form factor man-pack terminals during the exercise.
MOU BETWEEN INDIAN NAVY AND SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE (ISRO) FOR COOPERATION ON SATELLITE BASED NAVAL APPLICATIONS IN OCEANOLOGY AND METEOROLOGYPosted On: 05 AUG 2022 7:50PM by PIB Delhi Indian Navy on 05 Aug 22 signed a MoU with the Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad on data sharing and cooperation on Satellite based Naval Applications in Oceanology and Meteorology. With this initiative, both the organisations will have a common platform of mutual cooperation, wherein the scientific advancements by SAC would be synergised into the Indian Naval efforts to keep the nation's defence in step with rapid development in the field of Satellite Data retrieval and applications. This MoU is an extension of previous MoU signed in 2017 and will further the collaboration between two organisations. The broad area of cooperation includes sharing of non-confidential observational data, operation exploitation of SAC generated weather products and provisioning of Subject Matter Experts (SME) towards processing of satellite data towards development of new tools, calibration and validation of ocean models. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by SAC and Indian Navy to further meaningful interactions and professional exchanges in future.
Aug 10, 2022Launching of ISRO’s Virtual Space Museum “SPARK”While the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – the 75th year of Independence, ISRO has come up with an innovative idea of showcasing digital content pertaining to various ISRO missions in an interactive manner. The Virtual Space Museum “SPARK” was launched by Secretary, DOS / Chairman, ISRO on 10.08.2022 for the public use. The platform hosts several documents, images & videos related to ISRO launch vehicles, satellites and scientific missions. Chairman, ISRO & Directors of the various ISRO centres appreciated the initiative taken and suggested more non-sensitive digital content to be brought on this platform for use by different stakeholders. The beta version of the application can be accessed through ISRO website or at https://spacepark.isro.gov.in
"I would say there are two and a half options that we're discussing. One is SpaceX, that is clear. Another one is possibly Japan. It is waiting for the inaugural flight of its next-generation rocket. Another option could be India," ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher told Reuters.
The agency has been left hanging after a breakdown in relations with the Russian space agency, Roscosmos. Several missions, including a joint Mars project with Russia have been pushed back after the breakdown between the West and Russia following President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.
Missions planned for this year:...GSLV Mk3 F12
Quote from: vyoma on 08/16/2022 08:15 amMissions planned for this year:...GSLV Mk3 F12I think that should that be GSLV Mk.II.
Tension between India and China since May 2020 is worrying Indian astrophysicists involved in an ambitious project to install an India-made spectroscope aboard the developing Chinese space station, Tiangong.
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, were among nine groups selected from 42 applicants in 2019 as part of a United Nations-led initiative that invites research teams from all over the world to compete for an opportunity to design payloads that will be shuttled to Tiangong aboard rockets of the Chinese Manned Space Agency.
The project, called Spectrographic Investigation of Nebular Gas (SING), also involves collaboration with the Institute of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences, and has been designed and developed by research students at the IIA. The plan is to have it ready by the year end so that it can be launched in the summer of 2023. Though the plan is on schedule, scientists at the IIA are now consulting with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as well as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on whether they are in the clear to go ahead with the project.
HAL-L&T to build five PSLV rockets, bags Rs 860 crore deal from NSIL for the projectThe Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-L&T consortium on Sunday bagged a Rs 860 crore deal from NewSpace India Limited to build five rockets. This will mark industry's maiden foray into end-to-end production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs), reported news agency PTI.The contract is for manufacturing five PSLV rockets, the versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India.After the techno-commercial evaluation of three bids, HAL-L&T consortium had emerged as the technically qualified and the L1 bidder to undertake end-to-end production of PSLV."We have now signed the service level agreement with the industry for production," an official of NSIL, a central public sector enterprise under the Department of Space (DoS) and commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said."May be in less than two years, we (the 52:48 HAL-L&T consortium) will be able to deliver the first rocket from the industry consortium, fully built by the industry, with appropriate hand-holding from ISRO," PTI quoted the official as saying.According to the official, about 80 per cent of mechanical systems and 60 per cent of electronic systems of PSLV, the third generation launch vehicle of India, at present come from the industry. However, the remaining percentages in both the areas are highly complex.The consortium will now be responsible for producing, assembling and integrating the launcher by making use of the existing ISRO facilities under GOCO (Government Owned, Contractor Operated) model.Sources said the NSIL also has plans to realise an entirely-built GSLV-Mk III rocket from Indian industry partners....
Quote from: TheVarun on 08/04/2022 12:23 pmVyoma, 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.Propellant tanks are manufactured by HAL and few other companies.From Annual Report 2015-16:QuoteTankages 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 wellFrom Annual Report 2016-17:QuoteProduction and supply of PS2 & PS4 propellant tanks and Integrated L40 liquid stages for PSLVs are continued with Aerospace Division of HALAnd, from Annual Report 2018-19:QuoteAluminium Alloy (AA 2219) Tank for PS4: Two PS4 tanks L1.6 & L2.5 designed and realised and design validatedQuoteProduction 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.However, Titanium sponge required for propellant tank manufacturing were being imported earlier. This was indigenized in 2015 with the commissioning of Indigenous Titanium Sponge Plant: https://www.isro.gov.in/indigenous-titanium-sponge-plant-operationalAs an aside, looks like ISRO tried out Aluminium alloy tank for PS4 in 2018-19. But, they still continue to be using Titanium.
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.
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday inaugurated the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) in Bengaluru.The ICMF will manufacture cryogenic (CE20) and semi-cryogenic (SC2000) engines for the launch vehicles of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). Expected to increase India's selfreliance in manufacturing high-thrust rocket engines, the 4,500-sq m facility was developed with an investment of Rs 208 crore.HAL has completed commissioning of critical equipment for manufacturing and assembly requirements.Murmu said HAL contributed immensely to India’s self-reliance in defence and Isro's efforts were crucial in India emerging as the sixth country with cryogenic engine manufacturing capabilities. She said the achievements of HAL and Isro were an “assurance” that they would continue to play a significant role in India's future.HAL entering the manufacturing of cryogenic engines is a major step in technology upgrade, C B Ananthakrishnan, HAL CMD, said.
ISRO plans to launch Chandrayaan-3, its third mission to the moon, in June next year with a more robust lunar rover onboard which is crucial for future inter-planetary explorations. The space agency has also lined up the first test flight of the 'abort mission' for Gaganyaan, the country's first human spaceflight, early next year."Chandrayaan-3 (C-3) launch will be in June next year onboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3)," said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somnath while interacting with media personnel on the sidelines of an event here.
First private launchpad & mission control center established on the ISRO campus at Sriharikota was inaugurated by Shri S Somanath on Nov 25, 2022. A significant step in opening the Indian space sector to private players.https://www.isro.gov.in/first_private_launch_mission_control.html@INSPACeIND @AgnikulCosmos
First private launchpad & mission control center established in ISRO campus at SDSC, SHARFirst private launchpad & mission control centerNov 28, 2022First private launchpad & mission control center established in ISRO campus at SDSC, SHARA private launchpad and mission control center is established within the ISRO campus at Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC),SHAR, Sriharikota, for the first time. The launchpad is designed and operated by a private company, an Indian space-tech start-up, Agnikul.The facility was inaugurated on November 25, 2022 by Shri S. Somanath, Chairman, ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space (DOS). Senior ISRO officials including the directors of various ISRO centers also attended the function. On the occasion, Shri.S.Somanath expressed pleasure over the establishment of the first private launch pad in the country and endorsed that, now, India can travel to space from one more space platform.Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founder & CEO, Agnikul mentioned that the ability to launch from one’s own launchpad while still working with ISRO’s launch operations teams is a privilege that ISRO & IN-SPACe have granted and that he is deeply grateful for the same. Moin SPM, Co-founder, Agnikul thanked ISRO and IN-SPACe for the consistent support for realising Agnikul’s launchpad inside Sriharikota and acknowledged that the new reforms brought by DOS truly accommodate everyone’s dream of going to space.Establishment of this private launchpad marks a significant step in opening the Indian space sector to private players and affirms the commitment of ISRO/DOS for facilitating the same. The current facility has a launchpad and a mission control center. The latter is about 4 km away from the launchpad. The system compliant to support liquid stage-controlled launches, monitor key flight safety parameters by ISRO’s range operations teams during launches and share the data with ISRO’s Mission Control Center.Agnikul plans to guide & control their upcoming launches from this facility. In their first launch, a 2-stage launch vehicle, Agnibaanis intended to carry a payload of up to 100 kg to around 700 km altitude.About Agnikul CosmosAgnikul Cosmos Private Limited is a Chennai-based start-up incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras). It was founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM & Prof. SR Chakravarthy (from IIT Madras). Agnikul aims to make space accessible and affordable. It aspires to support the Honourable PM’s vision of enabling building of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It became the first Indian company to sign an agreement with ISRO. The agreement signed in December 2020under the IN-SPACe initiative sanctioned Agnikul the access to ISRO’s expertise and facilities to build Agnibaan vehicles and the Launchpads.
