Page 2 - Isro

Countdown begins for Isro's 100th mission to launch navigation satellite

The 27-hour countdown for ISRO's historic 100th mission from this spaceport, launch of a Navigation satellite onboard a GSLV rocket commenced on Tuesday, sources in the space agency said. Also, this would be the first mission for ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, who assumed office on January 13. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with indigenous Cryogenic upper stage in its 17th flight, carrying the navigation satellite NVS-02 is scheduled for lift-off at 6.23 am on January 29 from the second launch pad here. The navigation satellite is the second in the series of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) aimed to provide accurate position, velocity and timing to users in the Indian sub-continent as well as to regions about 1,500 km beyond the Indian land mass. "The 27.30 hour countdown commenced at 02.53 am on Tuesday," multiple sources told PTI. The 50.9 metre tall GSLV-F15 follows the GSLV-F12 mission which successfully carried navigation satellite NVS-01, the .

GSLV-F15 integration with satellite NVS-02 complete, ready for launch: Isro

ISRO on Sunday said integration of its rocket GSLV-F15 with satellite NVS-02 is complete. The GSLV-F15 rocket with Indigenous cryogenic stage is ready to be launched on January 29, with the satellite NVS-02 on board, the space agency said. This will be the 100th mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, "GSLV-F15 integration complete! Take a sneak peek at the incredible teamwork behind this mission: Countdown: Less than 3 days to launch! Join us as we unlock new frontiers," the agency said in a post on social media 'X'. GSLV-F15 will place the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and the launch will take place from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, said ISRO. NVS-01, the first of the second-generation satellites, was launched on board GSLV-F12 on May 29, 2023. NVS-02, the second satellite in the NVS series, is configured with navigation payload in L1, L5 and S bands in addition to ranging payload in C-band like its predecessor-NVS-

GalaxEye achieves breakthrough with first fusion of SAR and optical imagery

This first-of-its-kind integration of SAR and optical imagery addresses critical needs across sectors, including defence, agriculture, and disaster response

Isro releases satellite images of Maha Kumbh Mela tent city, Sangam

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday released before and after satellite images of the tent city here giving an insight into the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh which is drawing crores of people from across the world to take a holy dip at the Sangam. Maha Kumbh, a mega-religious event organised every 12 years, is being held in Prayagraj from January 13 and will continue for 45 days till February 26. More than eight crore pilgrims have taken a holy dip at the Sangam so far. "Time series images (15 Sep 2023 & 29 Dec 2024) of EOS-04 (RISAT-1A) 'C' band microwave satellite, with its all-weather capability and fine resolution (FRS-1, 2.25m), provides unique insights on details of the Tent City (Layout of Structures and Roads) along with its network of pontoon bridges and supporting infrastructure, set up for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025," ISRO said in a statement. The time series images captured by the satellites show the construction of Shivalay Park, the India-shaped ...

Space ambitions: Isro enhances its space technological capabilities

Building a space station like the planned Bharatiya Antriksh Station also involves docking and undocking -- pre-fab modules must be slotted together in space

SpaDeX successful, results will pave way for future missions: Isro chief

ISRO chairman V Narayanan on Saturday said the space-docking experiment (SpaDeX) of satellites was successful and the results will be useful for multiple purposes, including future missions like Chandrayaan 4, Gaganyaan and India's space station. Narayanan, who arrived in Kerala after the successful space-docking test, told reporters at the airport here that it was a team effort by the ISRO and the results of the test were being reviewed. "Right now the situation is that all the things are successfully docked and it is in space safely. Now we are studying all the results. My team is reviewing the results and we will take the proper decision at the proper time," he said. The scientist further said that the docking experiment would be useful for multiple purposes. Giving details, he said that it will be useful for the Chandrayaan 4 mission as two rockets will be used to carry to space the over 9,000 kg module that will subsequently land on the moon for sample collection. He said tha

Efforts to bring everyone together for research will pay off: Isro ex-chief

Former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman S Somanath on Saturday said initiatives to bring industry, academia and government together for research and innovation will definitely bring results. As chief guest at the 19th convocation of Dhirubhai Ambani University here, formerly known as Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, he asked graduating students to understand the importance of collaboration and look at the big picture in whichever organisation they work for. He was particularly fortunate to work at ISRO that was focussed on the use of space technology to find solutions to the problems of people and society, he noted. "Not far from now, Bharat should become a technology-powered nation, where homegrown innovations will create new opportunities in industries, product development, business and economic progress. The initiatives of our government to have the industry-academia-government support system for research and innovation through ..

Cabinet clears Rs 3.9K cr plan for third launch pad at Sriharikota centre

The Third Launch Pad project envisages the creation of launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, for ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV)

8th pay commission, ISRO, Adani shares, Hindenburg closure, Infosys earnings & more

Isro successfully performs docking of satellites as part of SpaDeX Mission

Earlier on January 12, Isro brought the two spacecraft to three metres and then moved them back to safe distance

V Narayanan assumes charge as new ISRO chief, succeeding S Somanath

V Narayanan has assumed charge as the chairman of ISRO, replacing S Somanath, the Space Agency said. In a statement, the ISRO said, "Dr V Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), assumed the charge of Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, ISRO on the afternoon of January 13, 2025." Prior to this, Narayanan served as the Director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a key facility responsible for the development of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft. He also played a pivotal role as the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for the Gaganyaan programme, India's ambitious human spaceflight mission. A veteran scientist, Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has contributed significantly to India's space missions over the decades. He became the Director of LPSC in January 2018, cementing his reputation as a leader in rocket and spacecraft propulsion technologies. Narayanan hails from

Isro to review strategy as space docking trial postponed; check details

Isro aborted the SpaDeX mission due to sensor problems when the two satellites were just 3 metres away from successfully completing the docking

SpaDeX: Isro brings satellites within three metres in trial attempt

ISRO on Sunday said the two satellites launched to perform space docking experiments were brought within three metres and then moved safely back in a trial attempt. The space agency also said the docking process would be done after analysing the data further. "A trial attempt to reach up to 15 metres and further to three metres is done. Moving back spacecraft to safe distance. The docking process will be done after analysing data further," ISRO said in a post on X. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) project has missed two announced schedules for docking experiments on January 7 and January 9. ISRO launched the mission on December 30. The PSLV C60 rocket, carrying two small satellites -- SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) -- along with 24 payloads, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. About 15 minutes later, the two small spacecraft weighing about 220 kilogrammes each were launched into a 475-kilometre circular orbit, as intended. The SpaDeX project is

SpaDeX satellites positioned 230 m apart, health status 'normal': Isro

The two Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites that the ISRO aims to unite in orbit are currently separated by a distance of 230 m, with their health status deemed 'normal', the space agency said on Saturday. On Friday evening, the satellites were separated by 1.5 kms. ISRO has said that the distance would be reduced to 500 m by Saturday morning. In a post on 'X', ISRO said, "Arrested at Inter Satellite Distance (ISD) of 230 m, all sensors are being evaluated. Spacecraft's health is normal." The space agency, however, has not committed to a date for conducting the docking experiments, which will bring the satellites together in space. The SpaDeX project has already missed two announced schedules for docking experiments on January 7 and 9. ISRO successfully launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30. The PSLV C60 rocket carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), along with 24 payloads, had lifted off from the first launchpad

Industries hold key to achieving India's Space Vision: Isro chief Somanath

ISRO Chairman S Somanath said on Friday that industries have a phenomenal role to play in achieving India's Space Vision 2047, rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ISRO chairman-designate V Narayanan also echoed the same view. In his pre-recorded inaugural speech, at the biennial National Aerospace Manufacturing Seminar (NAMS) 2025, Somanath said that the industries will face significant challenges as their collaboration with the space programme is going to increase substantially. One of the challenges would be the regular production of rockets, satellites and other systems required for the space programme and the other would be engineering, manufacturing and supplying items like new space crafts and systems, miniature electronics, large propulsion tanks and engines, he said. "They have to be produced in numbers to meet the tight schedules," he added. He said the task was a huge one as the strength of the space community in the public sector was not increasing ...

Isro to launch communication satellite of US firm AST SpaceMobile in March

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) LVM3 rocket will launch in March a communication satellite of a US-based firmT SpaceMobile that plans to provide space-based cellular broadband network services on smartphones. "The commercial LVM3-M5 mission, set for March, will deploy BlueBird Block-2 satellites under a contract with the US-basedT SpaceMobile," an official statement said. The statement came after Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the functioning of the Department of Space with senior officials, including the outgoing ISRO chairman S Somanath, his successor V Narayanan and Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). Narayanan, who will succeed Somanath on January 14, during the meeting outlined a strategic roadmap for expanding the ISRO's global footprint. The joint NASA-ISRO satellite NISAR and a navigation satellite NVS-02 are set for launch in February on board two separate missions o

Space science is complex, time consuming: Isro chairman S Somanath

ISRO chairman S Somanath on Thursday said space science is not just about the excitement of becoming astronomers, but it also involves complex and time-consuming science, an expertise that can only be built persistently over the years. Somanath, who is also Secretary, Department of Space, was delivering a keynote speech at the virtual launch of the third edition of ISRO's Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START 2025) programme. This year, 20,000 students from over 560 institutions have registered for the START programme that will be held from January 9 to 29, added Somanath. Although the mysteries of the universe quite naturally become the primary focus of attention, Somanath said space science is more about crunching numbers and cracking heads over formulae, to, say, optimally design sensors or build satellites and rockets. So, in the START programme, we will be talking about all of these. We will be talking about our exciting space missions. But we'll also tell you

Isro to carry out ambitious space docking experiment on Thursday morning

ISRO will carryout its ambitious space docking experiment using two satellites on orbit, on January 9. The event was scheduled on January 7 but postponed to Thursday morning. If the ISRO succeeds in its mission, India will become the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology. ISRO had launched the two satellites -- SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) -- as part of the mission on December 30 with the help of PSLV C60 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The two small spacecraft weighing about 220 kg each were injected into a 475-km circular orbit as intended. According to ISRO, SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using these two small spacecraft. This technology is essential for India's space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), etc. The Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) is a pivotal .

Meet V Narayanan, the new ISRO chief: Career highlights, key missions & more

Isro has major missions ahead, says newly appointed chairman Narayanan

Eminent rocket scientist and the newly appointed chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) V Narayanan on Wednesday said that the space agency is going through a successful phase and Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan are among the prominent missions ahead. Expressing happiness about his new stint as the Secretary, Department of Space and as the chairman of the ISRO, Narayanan said he considers it as a great luck to be part of such a great organisation led by great leaders. "It is such a great organisation. Several great leaders have led it (in the past). I consider it as a great luck to be part of it," he told reporters here. While replying to a question, Narayanan said the information about his new appointment was first passed on to him by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). "The PM is deciding everything. The PMO has contacted. The current chairman S Somanath sir also called and said about the new appointment," he said. When asked about the upcoming projects of ISRO, th