Page 9 - Space

V Narayanan appointed as new chairman of Isro, to take office on Jan 14

According to an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Narayanan has been appointed to serve in these roles for the next two years, until further notice

India's space sector funding drops 55% in 2024 amid global downturn

The government has sought to stimulate the sector by approving a 10 billion rupee ($119 million) fund in October 2024 to support space startups and setting plans to expand India's share

Indian space industry's funding falls 55% to $59.1 mn in 2024, data shows

Globally, space companies raised about $28 billion over the last five years, while their Indian counterparts secured approximately $354 million in the same period, Tracxn data showed

Launch of Vyommitra, NISAR sat; list of Isro's top launches in 2025 is here

In the first half of 2025, Isro has scheduled several key missions, which include the launch of the NVS-02 navigation satellite, unmanned Gaganyaan mission featuring Vyommitra, and many more

Mumbai-based start-up Manastu tests green propulsion system in space

Mumbai-based space start-up Manastu Space on Wednesday said it had successfully test-fired its home-built thruster Vyom 2U onboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM), tiling the platform by 24 degrees and imparting angular velocity before the onboard systems regained control. The POEM-4 platform, comprising the fourth stage of the PSLV-C60 rocket that launched the SpaDeX satellites on Monday, has been placed in an orbit at an altitude of 350 kms where several ISRO labs, start-ups and educational institutions will carry out in-orbit experiments. "We test-fired our green propulsion system Vyom-2U onboard the POEM-4 on the New Year's eve," Manastu Space founder and CEO Tushar Jadhav told PTI. He said the 30-second firing of the thruster tilted the PSLV POEM-4 platform by 24 degrees, imparting an angular velocity of 0.5 deg per second before onboard systems seamlessly regained control. "Over the coming days, PSLV will perform multiple critical maneuvers, culminating in 500

Quadrantids Meteor Shower 2025: Date, time, and how to watch it in India?

The Quadrantids Meteor Shower peak occurs every year and it will peak on January 4, 2025. Generally, meteor showers peak for two days, but Quadrantids peak for a few hours in January

Humans will soon be able to mine on the Moon; four questions to consider

Now is the time to create the rules and regulations that will protect humanity's shared future in space and ensure the Moon remains a symbol and inspiration for generations to come

Isro's SpaDeX satellites first to be built by industry on its own: Official

The launch of two satellites for the space docking experiment (SpaDeX) also marked a first for the industry, which built the two spacecraft on their own under guidance from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) engineers. The two satellites -- SDX01 (chaser) and SDX02 (target) -- each weighing 220 kg were integrated and tested by Ananth Technologies Limited (ATL), which has been associated with a number of ISRO projects for the past several years. "So far, large satellites have not been realised in the industry by themselves. This is the first time that the two satellites have been integrated and tested in the industry," said U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) Director M Shankaran after the two satellites were placed in a 476 km circular orbit by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) on Monday night. Shankaran described the launch of the two satellites a trailblazer for the industry. "We hope that this is going to be the first of the several such satellites done by the

India attempts first space docking for lunar missions, eyes elite club

The initial docking attempt could take place by Jan. 7, S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, said in an address after the launch on Monday

SpaDex will prove useful for future assignments: Isro project director

He further said that docking remains mandatory for human missions as well, on occasions when there is a need to attach to an international space station

Black Moon 2024: What is it and how to watch the rare celestial event?

Great news for all the skygazers! A rare celestial event, the black moon, is set to take place on December 30-31, offering an opportunity for clear views of the cosmos

Dark energy doesn't exist: Scientists make shocking claim on big mystery

A group of scientists have challenged dark energy's existence and suggested that the universe's expansion is accelerating due to uneven gravitational effects on time

World's most advanced and expensive; Indo-US NISAR satellite to launch soon

India and the US jointly designed the NISAR satellite which is set to be launched next year. It can gather images with dual frequency radar, effectively functioning in darkness and adverse weather

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

Indian startup OrbitAID's patented tech clears zero gravity test in Florida

It validates SIDRP's capabilities for on-orbit satellite servicing, including docking, refuelling, and proximity operations, in simulated space conditions

Isro, European Space Agency sign agreement for advancing human spaceflight

According to Isro, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperative activities in human space exploration and research

US, India mark significant progress in strengthening space cooperation

Celebrating the completion of a Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation to deepen interoperability in space

Nasa pushes back Sunita Williams' return, mission now set for Spring 2025

The US space agency has delayed the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore from the ISS again. Due to spacecraft issues, their stay has been extended until Spring 2025

Japan, India startups to study laser satellites to combat space debris

Tokyo-based Orbital Lasers and Indian robotics company InspeCity said they would study business opportunities for in-space services

Govt working on law to govern space sector: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

The government is working on a new law to govern the space sector which has witnessed reforms over the past four years with private players making a mark in building and launching satellites, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. Singh said India's maiden human spaceflight programme -- Gaganyaan -- was also progressing well and the first uncrewed mission was expected to be launched early next year. "We are working on that," the minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) told a press conference here in response to a question on the timeline for the space activities bill, which would grant statutory cover to the reforms in the sector. Singh said the government had announced space sector reforms in 2020 with the aim to increase India's share in the global space economy. "Indian Space Policy was released in April 2023 as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the space reform vision approved by the Union Cabinet," he said. The minister sa