Page 16 - Space

Isro gears up for INSAT-3DS satellite launch, flags it off to Sriharikota

ISRO on Saturday said its meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS has been flagged off to Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota for the launch onboard GSLV F14. The satellite had successfully completed satellite assembly, integration and testing activities at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. The satellite is a user-funded project with the Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), configured around ISRO's I-2k bus platform with a lift-off mass of 2275 kg. Indian Industries have significantly contributed in the making of the satellite. According to sources, the space agency is said to be aiming for a mid-February launch. "INSAT-3DS, is an exclusive meteorological satellite realised by ISRO with the primary objective to provide continuity of services to the existing in-orbit INSAT-3D and 3DR satellites and significantly enhancing the capabilities of the INSAT system," ISRO said. It was flagged off to SDSC-SHAR launch port in Andhra Pradesh on January 25, it said, adding that .

Space industry seeks liberal FDI policy, PLI scheme in Union Budget

India's nascent space sector has sought a liberal FDI policy on a par with the defence industry and production-linked incentive in the interim Budget that the government will present next week. The industry body Indian Space Association (ISpA) has also sought GST exemption for satellites, launch vehicles and ground equipment manufacturing, lower tax rates for external commercial borrowings and reduction of satellite sector withholding tax from 10 per cent to two per cent, given the low profit margins. "Our expectation is for enabling a more liberal FDI (foreign direct investment) policy in the space sector. As of now, even one per cent of FDI has to go through the government approval route and that takes months and months," Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based start-up, told PTI. "The defence sector has 74 per cent FDI through the automatic route. Beyond that, you have to go for the government route. At least matching what is there for the defence side would be

Private funding key to capture 20% of $1 trn space economy: Ex-Isro chief

The global space economy will touch the $1 trillion mark in the coming years and private investment is crucial to take India's share in it from present 2-4 per cent to 20 per cent, said former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) A S Kiran Kumar on Thursday. He was addressing entrepreneurs at the launch of LIBF EXPO 2024' organised by Lohana International Business Forum at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar. India is now the fifth biggest economy in the world and is marching ahead to become the third largest economy in the near future. We will need the participation of a large number of private entrepreneurs to achieve that target, Kumar said in his address as the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony. Global space economy would reach the $1 trillion-mark in the coming years, he said. India's share in that economy, such as making launch vehicles or satellites, is just 2 to 4 per cent at present. If we want to capture a 20 per cent share in the future,

Chronology of Isro's Aditya-L1's journey from launch to Lagrange-1 point

It's the 'VikramAditya' era for ISRO in space exploration in the last six months. Close on the heels of the success of the country's lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 in August where the space agency successfully landed 'Vikram' lander in the south poll of moon, its Aditya spcaecraft settled in its final destination to study the Sun on Saturday. Following is the chronology of events related to Aditya L1. September 2, 2023: ISRO launches Aditya-L1 onboard PSLV-C57. September 3: First Earth-bound maneuver performed successfully, attaining an orbit of 245 km x 22459 km. September 5: Second Earth-bound maneuver performed successfully. The new orbit attained was 282 km x 40225 km. September 10: Third Earth-bound manoeuvre attains new orbit of 296 km x 71767 km. Setpember 15: Fourth Earth-bound manoeuvre to achieve new orbit 256 km x 121973 km performed successfully. September 18: Aditya-L1 commenced the collection of scientific data. September 30: The spacecraft escaped the sphere of Ea

Another grand feat accomplished by Isro: Prez Murmu on success of Aditya L1

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday congratulated ISRO for successfully placing India's first solar observatory Adiyta-L1 into its destination orbit, and said the mission will benefit the entire humanity. "Another grand feat accomplished by ISRO! As part of India's maiden solar mission, Aditya L1, the observatory has been placed in the final orbit and reached its destination at Lagrange Point 1," Murmu said in a post on 'X'. "Congratulations to the entire Indian scientist community for the great achievement! This mission will enhance our knowledge of the Sun-Earth System and benefit the entire humanity," she added. Murmu also said that the significant participation of women scientists in ISRO missions "takes women empowerment too onto a higher orbit". The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday placed Adiyta-L1 into its destination orbit Lagrange Point 1. The Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system is about 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth. It is about one

Isro puts Aditya-L1 spacecraft in final destination orbit, PM hails feat

ISRO on Saturday successfully placed Adiyta-L1, the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun, into its destination orbit Lagrange Point-1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement on ISRO's latest feat. "India creates yet another landmark. India's first solar observatory Aditya-L1 reaches its destination. It is a testament to the relentless dedication of our scientists in realising among the most complex and intricate space missions." "I join the nation in applauding this extraordinary feat. We will continue to pursue new frontiers of science for the benefit of humanity," he said in a post on micro-blogging site 'X.' The Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. It is about one per cent of the total distance between the Earth and the Sun. A satellite in a halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultations/ eclipses, ISRO officials said, adding, this will

Space startups report success of in-orbit experiments onboard Isro's POEM

Indian space startups Dhurva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace have successfully tested their P30 Satellite Platform and high performance green propulsion systems respectively onboard ISRO's POEM initiative. Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space, in a statement, said the successful testing of 'Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads - Technology Demonstrator' (LEAP-TD) will help embark on its satellite mission. The statement said Dhruva Space has validated the P-30 platform and its various subsystems in-orbit and the results were confirmed by reception of telemetry and beacon data at the ground station of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). "These subsystems include On-Board Computer, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) TT&C Module, Beacon in UHF, Attitude Control System with a Reaction Wheel from Comat, and Power Distribution Board," the Dhruva Space statement read. ISRO's PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) enables in-orbit scientific ...

Science packed 2024: Human spaceflight tests, deep ocean exploration

After the momentous landing on the moon's south pole, India has now set its sights on more challenging missions -- sending humans to space and getting samples from the lunar surface back to earth. Test flights for both the projects are scheduled in the new year. For Indian scientists it is just not about the moon and beyond. Furthering deep ocean exploration, the country is scheduled to send aquanauts on board the "Samudrayaan", first to a depth of 500 metres in March, and later, achieve its targeted depth of up to 6,000 metres. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to begin the new year with the launch of XPoSat.? The X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)? will seek to unravel the mysteries of the sources of X-Rays and study the enigmatic world of black holes. The satellite is set for launch on January 1 on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota. This would be followed by the insertion of the Aditya L-1 satellite at the Lagrange Point-1 on .

China successfully launches test satellite for internet technologies

China on Saturday successfully launched a test satellite for satellite internet technologies. The satellite was launched by a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. It successfully entered its preset orbit, the report said. It was the 505th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

New era in space exploration: India's moon landing & solar venture

According to the Indian Space Association (ISpA), till November-end, Indian space startups amassed $124 million in funding, compared to $120 million in 2022

SpaceX's Starlink clears military tests in Arctic, paving way for contracts

The previously undisclosed testing found that StarLink to be a "reliable and high-performance communications system in the Arctic

NASA lauds Chandrayaan-3 success, highlights NISAR mission partnership

Nelson also mentioned the NISAR mission, stating that with the accomplishment of the four major observatories, a complete 3D composite model will be set up to find out what is happening to the Earth

South Korea delays spy satellite liftoff, after North's satellite launch

South Korea has postponed the planned launch of its first military spy satellite set for this Thursday, officials said, days after rival North Korea claimed to put its own spy satellite into orbit for the first time. Under a contract with SpaceX, South Korea is to launch five spy satellites by 2025, and its first launch using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket had been scheduled to take place at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base in the United States. The South Korean Defence Ministry said in a brief statement on Tuesday the launch was delayed due to weather conditions. Ministry officials said the launch was tentatively rescheduled for this Saturday but it wasn't a fixed date. South Korea currently has no military reconnaissance satellites of its own and partially resorts to US spy satellites to monitor moves by North Korea. After two launch failures earlier this year, North Korea said it successfully placed its Malligyong-1 spy satellite into orbit on November 21. South Korea said it ha

Deregulation imperative for space sector growth: Isro chairman Somanath

ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Saturday emphasised the necessity of deregulating unnecessary controls in the space sector to foster improved growth. He also attributed India's significant progress in the space industry to the opening up of the sector. Speaking to media here during the celebration of 60 years since India's first sounded rocket launch, Somanath highlighted that the involvement of the private sector in space science development has led to remarkable expansion in India's satellite-building capabilities. "Earlier, it was only ISRO for the development and production of satellites, launch vehicles, and related technologies. ISRO has only 17,000 people and a budget of Rs 13,000 crore. It remained so for all these years," Somanath said. He said that India now has more than 130 startups in the space sector, with some companies boasting a workforce of 400 to 500 employees and a turnover ranging from Rs 500 to 1000 crores. "Some of them are paying better salaries than ISRO, and

Aditya L1 spacecraft nearing its final phase, says Isro Chief Somanath

Aditya L1 spacecraft, India's first space-based mission to study the Sun, is nearing its final phase, and maneuvers to enter the L1 point are expected to be completed by January 7, 2024, according to ISRO Chairman S Somanath. "Aditya is on the way. I think it has reached almost its final phase," the ISRO chief told PTI on the sidelines of an event organised at VSSC to commemorate the 60th year of the First Sounding Rocket Launch. He said that the last preparations for the spacecraft's entry into the L1 point are currently underway incrementally. "Possibly by January 7th, the final maneuvers will be done for entering into the L1 point," Somanath added. Aditya L1 was successfully launched on September 2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. The spacecraft, after travelling about 1.5 million km from Earth over 125 days, is expected to be placed in a Halo orbit around the Lagrangian point L1, considered closest to the Sun. Among other tasks, it will capture and .

Nasa, Isro gearing up to launch space mission to map globe every 12 days

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is set to be launched in the first quarter of 2024 after a few tests, particularly those related to vibration, NASA officials have said. "ISRO is projecting the first quarter of next year. So, I mean, that's ready," NASA NISAR Project Manager Phil Barela said during a media interaction here on Wednesday. He is expecting the launch of NISAR (spelt as 'Naisar') "not earlier than January" from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota aboard the ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-II. The mission, which has three-year duration, aims to survey all of Earth's land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days. This will start after a 90-day satellite commissioning period. Regarding the key tests that are pending to be undertaken, Barela said, "The vibration testing that's underway, but there's a whole slew of performance tests that we need to do." Battery and simulation tests have to be done to make sure that the system works fi

Isro Chairman S Somanath withdraws publishing of his autobiography

ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Saturday said he was withdrawing from the publishing of his upcoming autobiography, after a controversy erupted over some of his alleged critical remarks about his predecessor K Sivan in the book. Somanath confirmed that he had decided to withdraw the publication of the book 'Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal' (loosely translated as - Lions that drank the moonlight), in the light of the controversy. Earlier in the day, talking to PTI, he said every person would have to go through some kind of challenges during their journey to reach a top position in an organisation. Somanath was responding to a report that claimed his autobiography had some critical remarks about his predecessor Sivan. "Persons holding such key positions may have to go through several challenges. One among them is the challenges with regard to getting positions in an organisation," he said, adding that these are challenges that everybody has to go through. "More persons might be eligible for a

Nothing impossible for India today: PM Modi on Gaganyaan test success

Nothing is impossible for India today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said hours after the completion of a key test in the country's ambitious human space flight mission Gaganyaan, and averred that his government was working with a long-term vision since it came to power. Several "pending" works such as the abrogation of Article 370, banning of triple talaq and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax have been accomplished in the last ten years, he said, speaking at the 125th foundation day of The Scindia School here. He also praised the contribution of the Scindia family, the erstwhile rulers of the Gwalior state. Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is the president of the school's Board of Governors, was also present. I became prime minister in 2014. After that our government started work with a long-term vision. Our government has abrogated Article 370, (a task) which was pending for 60 years, implemented One Rank One Pension scheme (for defence forces) and GS

Gaganyaan test flight: Crew module recovered, data looks good, says Isro

The crew module has been fully recovered from the sea (Bay of Bengal) and it has been brought to Chennai port, Isro chief said

Kharge congratulates Isro for successfully conducting test vehicle mission

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday for successfully conducting the test vehicle mission ahead of the human space flight programme. In a post on X, Kharge said the country's human space flight programme has been in the works since 2007 and expressed happiness that it is moving towards achieving its goal. "Our best wishes to all the scientists, space engineers, crew and researchers at ISRO for the success of Gaganyaan test flight mission (TV-D1)," he said. "India's human space flight programme has been in the works since 2007 and after decades of rigorous hard work and dedication we are advancing towards that goal," he said. Overcoming initial hiccups, including a monitoring anomaly, the ISRO on Saturday successfully launched a test vehicle with payloads related to the country's ambitious human space flight programme, Gaganyaan. Scientists simulated an abort situation for the Crew Escape System (CES) to carry