Page 5 - Isro Projects

Govt's push for home-grown satellite constellation gets 30 aspirants

The regulator had sought "expressions of interest" (EoI) in July to build home-grown satellite constellations as part of a broader strategy to monetize the sector and ensure data sovereignty

SpaDeX mission for space docking tech to be launched on Dec 30: Isro

India's SpaDeX mission, intended to develop and demonstrate technology required to dock and undock spacecraft in space, will be launched using PSLV-C60 on December 30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, ISRO said. On December 21, the launch vehicle was integrated and moved to the First Launch Pad, for further integration of satellites and launch preparations. ISRO has also put up the fast time-lapse video of the moving of PSLV-C60, which was fully integrated up to PS4 at the PIF facility for the first time, to the First Launch Pad, in its X account. On December 30, people can witness the launch live at the Launch View Gallery after registering for it. The registration started on Monday at 6 pm, ISRO said in its website. SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of 'in-space docking' using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV, ISRO said in an explainer on the subject. This technology is essential for India's space ambitions

ISRO's POEM-4 to test seed germination, debris capture, green fuel in space

Demonstration of seed germination in outer space, a robotic arm to catch a tethered debris there, and testing of green propulsion systems are some of the experiments planned on the POEM-4 -- the fourth stage of ISRO's PSLV rocket that remains in orbit after launching a satellite. The PSLV-C60 mission, slated for an yearend launch, is scheduled to place the twin satellites 'Chaser and Target' to demonstrate the space docking technologies that are crucial for building India's space station. The PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) will carry 24 experiments -- 14 from various ISRO labs and 10 from private universities and start-ups -- to demonstrate various technologies in space. ISRO plans to grow eight cowpea seeds from seed germination and plant sustenance until the two-leaf stage in a closed-box environment with active thermal control as part of the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The Amity Plant Experimenta

ISRO chairman calls for investment in aerodynamic test facilities in India

ISRO chairman S Somanath on Thursday said that there was a lack of sufficient aerodynamic testing facilities in India and therefore, huge investments need to be made to create such facilities. Speaking at the SAROD 2024 event organised here by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Somanath emphasised the importance of scaling up the country's computational capability. The ISRO chairman said that with the advancements in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), there was an initial line of thought that aerodynamic testing facilities were no longer required as most of the problems could be identified and solved computationally through simulations. "So, many of the test programs that were required to be done for the future aero vehicles were actually cut down and at one point we were told to do more simulations than testing. But, as time goes by, we realised that this is not the case. It became clear that the complementary nature of analysis and simulation with testing will continue. I

Proba-3 mission would help in understanding Sun's Corona: Ex-Isro scientist

ISRO's successful launch of European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 satellites onboard PSLV-C59 rocket is a 'groundbreaking mission' and would significantly advance the understanding of Sun's corona and solar wind, a former ISRO scientist said. According to P V Venkitakrishnan, former director of Capacity Building Programme Office, ISRO headquarters, the 'innovative design and advanced technologies' used in the mission would pave the way for future space weather forecasting and solar physics research. "This mission is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation. Proba-3 is a pioneering mission designed to explore the Sun's corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun", he told PTI. It aims to study the Corona, which is hotter than the Sun's surface, and explore the solar wind which is a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun, Venkitakrishnan said. "The data from Proba-3 satellites would help scientists better ...

Isro launches Europe's Proba-3 mission to orbit: Why it's crucial to India?

ISRO today successfully launched European Space Agency's Proba-3 satellites into Earth's orbit from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota launchpad. Previously, it was scheduled for Dec 4

Isro reschedules Proba-3 mission launch to December 5. Here's why

Proba-3 is a joint mission to study the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere, which is vital for understanding solar activity and space weather

Isro to launch Proba-3 mission satellites on December 4 from Sriharikota

Isro will launch the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission on December 4 from Sriharikota. The mission, in collaboration with European Space Agency, aims to study the Sun's corona using precision formation flying

Countdown begins for Isro's commercial mission for European Space Agency

The countdown for ISRO's dedicated commercial mission, the launch of Proba-3 spacecraft of the European Space Agency (ESA) slated for December 4. began here on Tuesday. Wednesday's launch would be a technology demonstration mission. NewSpace India Ltd is the commercial arm of ISRO which would launch client vehicles and has secured the order from the European Space Agency for its latest mission. "The 25-hour countdown started at 3.08 pm on Tuesday and right now the preparatory works (for the launch) are going on," an ISRO official told PTI on Tuesday. Dubbed as the world's first initiative, the Proba-3 (Project for Onboard Autonomy) consists of a double-satellite in which two spacecraft would fly together as one, maintaining precise formation down to a single millimetre to study the sun's outer atmosphere. 'Probas' is a Latin word, which refers to 'Let's try'. The mission objective is to demonstrate precise formation flying and the two spacecraft - 'Coronagraph' and 'Occulter' would

Musk's SpaceX launches Isro's GSAT-20 satellite, marks first collaboration

Isro doesn't have operational launch vehicles to handle the GSAT-N2's 4,700 kg payload, leading to the first-ever collaboration with SpaceX

ISRO sets up first space education lab in AP's Keyi Panyor district

In Arunachal Pradesh's Keyi Panyor district, ISRO opens its first space education lab. It was inaugurated by state Education Minister Pasang Dorjee and set up in collab with Vyomika Space Academy

Simulating extraterrestrial life: Isro's analogue mission begins in Ladakh

The mission's objective is to replicate conditions of living in an interplanetary habitat, tackling the potential obstacles that astronauts may face on future deep-space missions

Isro satellites keep an eye on cyclone Dana: How is real-time data shared

The Indian Space Research Organisation has been actively monitoring the cyclone situation since October 20, ensuring that accurate data is provided to officials for effective action planning

2 satellites part of space docking experiment handed over to Isro

Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies on Friday handed over two 400 kg class satellites to ISRO, which will be part of the Space Docking Experiment planned by the space agency later this year. The satellites will be launched onboard the PSLV-C60 mission slated for a December launch and considered a stepping stone for future missions such as the Indian space station and Chandrayaan-4 mission that aims to bring lunar rock and soil samples back to earth. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket for the mission is also being built at a facility of Ananth Technologies Private Limited (ATL) in Thiruvananthapuram. The satellites were handed over at ATL's facility at KIADB Aerospace Park in Bengaluru in the presence of M Shankaran, director of ISRO's U R Rao Satellite Centre. "This achievement is a testament to ATL's vision and commitment towards India's space sector," said Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, chairman of ATL. Pavuluri said ATL has been manufacturing electronic subsystems for th

Isro's Bharatiya Antariksha Station: 5-module design to take flight by 2035

India aims to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035, with a five-module design. The first module, BAS-1, will launch by 2028 to support future crewed missions

Upper Stage of PSLV-37 rocket enters earth's atmosphere as predicted: Isro

The upper stage of PSLV-37 rocket, which launched a record number of 104 satellites more than seven years ago, has re-entered the earth's atmosphere as predicted, the Indian Space Research Organisation announced on Tuesday. PSLV-C37 was launched on February 15, 2017 with Cartosat-2D as the main payload along with another 103 satellites as co-passengers. It created history as the first mission to launch 104 satellites with a single vehicle, the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency noted in a statement. After injecting the satellites and passivation, the upper stage (PS4) was left at an orbit of approximately 470 x 494 km size. It was regularly tracked and its orbital altitude slowly decayed, primarily due to atmospheric drag effects, it said. Since September 2024, IS4OM (ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management) regularly monitored the orbital decay as part of its regular activities and predicted the re-entry into the atmosphere in October first week.

NGLV development model will be announced soon: Isro chief Somanath

The model for the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) will be announced soon and that will provide a huge opportunity for industries to come into the space sector right at the beginning of design itself, ISRO chief S Somanath said on Monday. Last month, the Union Cabinet approved the development of NGLV. It will be a significant step towards establishing and operating the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, as well as towards developing capability for Indian crewed landing on the Moon by 2040. While mentioning about NGLV, Somanath on Monday said ISRO will support the development but the production and launches will move over to the industry right at the beginning. The mode for developing NGLV will be announced soon. It is going to be a huge opportunity for industries to come into the space sector right in the beginning of design itself, he added. The NGLV development project will be implemented with maximal participation from the Indian industry, which is also expecte

Cabinet clears Chandrayaan-4, Venus Orbiter Mission for space exploration

Moon mission Chandrayaan-4 will cost Rs 2104.06 cr while Rs 1,236 crore has been earmarked for Venus Orbiter Mission

Private space startups gain from Isro's support, but face significant risks

While Isro is deservedly lauded for its cost-effectiveness, there is excessive focus on achievements such as developing moon launch vehicle for $70 mn, when nations like US spend a billion on project

Isro chief S Somanath expects 20-30% additional increase in funding

Asked how much he expected funding to increase, Somanath said "something like an additional 20-30 per cent", though "over a long period of time"