Page 7 - Space Technology

PLI scheme to defence allocation, here's space industry's Budget wishlist

India's nascent private space sector has presented a wishlist of tax incentives and a production-linked incentive scheme in the upcoming Union Budget to boost local manufacturing and spur research and development. "In the 2023-24 Union Budget, we would like to request a space-based production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for space tech startups to help boost local manufacturing and encourage capability building within the country," Awais Ahmed, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Pixxel, a space startup based in Bengaluru, told PTI. Last year, Pixxel became the first Indian startup to launch its own hyperspectral imaging satellite, "Shakuntala", onboard SpaceX's rideshare rocket and followed it up with another similar satellite, "Anand", using the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV rocket. It plans to have a constellation of earth observation satellites soon. "In the Union Budget 2023-24, we request a further Rs 100 crore issuance as viability gap funding ..

ISRO, Microsoft join hands to empower spacetech startups in India

The space tech startups identified by ISRO will be on-boarded onto the aMicrosoft for Startups Founders Hub' platform, that supports startups at every stage of their journey-from idea to unicorn

Satellite imaging start-up GalaxEye Space gets $3.5 mn seed funding

Company says its technology helps in all-weather imaging without atmospheric interference

Start-ups line up for space glory, but still very far from 'SpaceX moment'

Roughly 70% of these start-ups were launched after 2020; of $245 mn that the sector has received in last seven years, $198 mn came after 2020

Agnikul first pvt firm to build launchpad & mission control centre in India

Development follows Skyroot Aerospace's launch of Vikram-S rocket on a sub-orbital flight from Sriharikota on Nov 18

ISRO successfully launches 200th 'RH-200' Rohini sounding rocket

ISRO's journey into the indigenous rockets began with a sounding rocket in 1963

PSLV to launch Pixxel's hyperspectral imaging satellite on Saturday

Spacetech startup Pixxel is set to launch its third hyperspectral satellite Anand onboard ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Sriharikota spaceport on Saturday. Anand is a hyperspectral microsatellite weighing less than 15 kg but having more than 150 wavelengths that will enable it to capture images of the earth in greater detail than today's non-hyperspectral satellites that have not more than 10 wavelengths. The imagery from the satellite can be used to detect pest infestation, map forest fires, identify soil stress and oil slicks amongst other things, a statement from Pixxel said on Monday. "After more than 18 months of delay, many many retests, and more than two years of sweat and hard work by the team, we are finally launching this week," Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel said on Twitter. Founded by Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, Pixxel became the first Indian company ever to launch a commercial satellite Shakuntala in April using Elon Musk's SpaceX'

Skyroot's Vikram-S rocket launch creating space for private sector

The launch of a sounding rocket by Skyroot marks the start of a surge in start-ups entering a sector that was opened up only in June 2020

Space for start-ups

A Nasa-like PPP policy could make India an aerospace powerhouse

Vikram-S rocket launch shows what an Indian start-up can do: Skyroot exec

Company behind privately developed rocket is looking for investors, says its co-founder

Indian firm eyes sending tourists near space in capsule by 2025

An Indian firm is planning to ferry tourists near space in a spaceship attached to a unique high-altitude balloon system by 2025. Inspired by Elon Musk's SpaceX, the Mumbai-based Space Aura Aerospace Technology Pvt Ltd company has begun to build a space capsule measuring 10 feet x 8 feet, which can carry six tourists besides the pilot into space at a time. However, the space capsule will remain within 35 km radius above the earth. The company presented a prototype of the space capsule named SKAP 1 at a science exhibition 'Akash Tatva' here, which got great response from scientists and common people alike. The firm has set itself a target of 2025 for beginning its flight into space, Space Aura founder and CEO Akash Porwal told PTI. Two places have been identified in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, from where the flight into space can be launched, and a decision in this regard will be taken soon, he said. The company is busy trying to achieve its target with the help of scientists fr

Why did NASA ram DART into an asteroid?

American space agency NASA recently conducted a planned mission to hit a cruising asteroid in space, as a part of its first planetary defense technology demonstration. Let's find out more about it

ISRO launches maiden SSLV carrying earth observation and student satellites

The SSLV-D1/EOS-02 mission by the Indian space agency is aimed at garnering a larger pie in the small launch vehicles market, as it can place the satellites into Low Earth Orbit

India to send 'Gaganauts' to space soon; two trials by the end of 2022

In a reply in Parliament, MoS Space Jitendra Singh said an unmanned flight would be sent to space in the first trial. While in the second, a robot named Vyomitra will be sent to space

India gives boost to self-reliance in safeguarding space assets with IS40M

India has given a boost to self-reliance in safeguarding its space assets with ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operation and Management (IS4OM)

Centre open to public-private union to build up space industry: ISRO chief

The government has come out with a policy to encourage participation of private companies in space technology as part of reforms in the field, ISRO chief S Somanath said on Saturday. The government would consult with industries and startups to strengthen the space eco systems under the public- private partnership in infrastructre, remote-sensing and development of new technology, Somanath told reporters on the sidelines of 26th convocation of Karunya University here. With regard to investment, he said it would be 100 per cent for Indian companies and 70 per cent through FDI with the approval of the Centre. To a question on the launch of small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV), Somanath said it would happen by this month-end or at the beginning of August. Asked about starting a launchpad at Kulasekharapatnam in Tamil Nadu, he said the State government has allotted 2,000 acres of land and after developing the required infrastructure, it may be ready by another two years. On the much

Colombia seeks support from India for harnessing space technology

Columbian ambassador has shown interest in getting India's support for harnessing the benefits of space technology for national development

Voyager missions: Twins that changed how we discern space giants

Who knows, someday, sometime, that might intrigue an intelligent al­ien if it does meet one and gets hacked

What's it like to be on Venus or Pluto? Sand dunes give some clues

For dunes to even exist, there are a pair of "Goldilocks" criteria that must be satisfied. First is a supply of erodible but durable grains.

US warned of Chinese ability to militarise space tech, jam American radars

"As China's and Russia's space and counterspace capabilities increase, both nations are integrating space scenarios into their military exercises," the 80-page report by Biden administration said