Indian Space Programme Discussion

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SSSalvi
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by SSSalvi »

SaiK wrote:the 25 sec video seems to have been posted last week
This was posted on ISRO facebook on 2nd May.
Successful testing of High Thrust Cryogenic Engine
A major milestone in the development of ISRO’s next generation launch vehicle, GSLV MkIII, was achieved on successful long duration hot test (635 seconds) of high thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) on 28-04-2015 at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The CE20 cryogenic engine is being indigenously developed by ISRO to power the cryogenic stage of GSLV MkIII launch vehicle. The completion of successful long duration hot test has once again proved ISRO’s capability in mastering the complex cryogenic technology. All subsystems of this engine such as Thrust Chamber, Injector, Gas Generator, LOX & LH2 Turbopumps, Control Components, Pyro systems etc., and the ground Test Facility systems performed very well and the parameters are well within the prediction. A series of development tests on this engine are being carried out to validate the performance and to prove the design of the engine. Two cold start tests and four short duration hot tests were already carried out on this engine at IPRC, Mahendragiri.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by member_23694 »

while the cryo, semi-cryo , ULV prorgrams are fine and should be concluded ASAP , I think there is one opportunity that ISRO could exploit in a better way.
While ISRO has launched 45 foreign satellite, apart from 2 all are less than 500Kgs. ISRO should work on quick 500-600 Kg, 600 Km orbit capability rocket with a private player [ just like Kuaizhou type developed by China] , followed by complete production and launch ownership with private party [with necessary security checks].
With less dependency on larger rockets ,lower cost and higher availability, it will be possible for Antrix to get more commercial launch business. Possibility of Long term benefits for future vehicles could be great
JMT
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by member_28108 »

VIna it is fine to say develop and don't reinvent the wheel bit when we do not yet have a viable semicryo engine at hand that is urgently needed then a safer bet is to develop that knowing it works well. Ignition maintenance has been a problem so far and viable lox methane engineered not around -that is indeed the research project and not the other way round. If we can eat we think of the cherry.If we argue on that lines we can say why not have massive LOX H2 engines anyway as we have masters the staged combustion engine. Lets also walk before we run.Also once we go through Lox to we can use that knowledge base to move on.
Saying that the configuration mentioned "may not be the same' does not get us hard points for development.saying "it might" and "it could" is not the same as "it will"Also guess what why is SpaceX which has virtually been hand held by NASA still struggling wrt the LOX Methane engine ? its not so simple after all and with NASA with a gazillion amount of experience helping them - they are struggling. Unfortunately cryo engine technology doesn't seem to be so simple why are they struggling to replicate the Saturn 5 F! engine ? Something they had successfully done before due to vital transmission loss of information over the scientific generations.
Having said that I am not saying we should not pursue this but making it a make it or break it project is equally wrong especially as the putative benefits have not been clearly proved and defined.

For a coaxial tank there is one issue - Methane will solidify and not flow which can be an issue.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by juvva »

dhiraj wrote:while the cryo, semi-cryo , ULV prorgrams are fine and should be concluded ASAP , I think there is one opportunity that ISRO could exploit in a better way.
While ISRO has launched 45 foreign satellite, apart from 2 all are less than 500Kgs. ISRO should work on quick 500-600 Kg, 600 Km orbit capability rocket with a private player [ just like Kuaizhou type developed by China] , followed by complete production and launch ownership with private party [with necessary security checks].
With less dependency on larger rockets ,lower cost and higher availability, it will be possible for Antrix to get more commercial launch business. Possibility of Long term benefits for future vehicles could be great
JMT
Some time back I remember some talk on using the Agni V as a launch vehicle, may be that was only for military sats.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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juvva wrote:Some time back I remember some talk on using the Agni V as a launch vehicle, may be that was only for military sats.
yes Agni V could be used, however my suggestion was for commercial sat. especially since with Vega available and possibility of few more small payload rockets in the future, how can India leverage ISRO's capability, build capacity with private sector involvement and increase its market share for commercial launches
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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Some time back I remember some talk on using the Agni V as a launch vehicle, may be that was only for military sats.
Yes .It can theoretically launch a 500 Kg satellite on demand for the military whenever required.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by Gagan »

Just the A5/6 per se or with a modified upper stage?
Can an all solid booster impart that needed impulse?

The Agni series still suffer from weight issues because of the nature of the propellant don't they?
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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Gagan wrote:Just the A5/6 per se or with a modified upper stage?
Can an all solid booster impart that needed impulse?

The Agni series still suffer from weight issues because of the nature of the propellant don't they?
to quote VK Saraswat
"Another spin-off from Agni V test is that the DRDO feels it can work towards launching mini-satellites for battlefield use if an adversary attacks the country's main satellites.

''The mini-satellites will provide communication, navigation and some sort of GPS to armed forces for a limited time,'' said Saraswat."


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 763074.cms

see also

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243 ... -mini.html
Last edited by member_28108 on 19 Jul 2015 19:11, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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Gagan wrote:Just the A5/6 per se or with a modified upper stage?
Can an all solid booster impart that needed impulse?

The Agni series still suffer from weight issues because of the nature of the propellant don't they?
It will obviously need to have a payload faring and a payload adapter to inject a satellite into orbit in place of the re-entry vehicle.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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http://www.oneindia.com/india/isro-test ... 11850.html

Bengaluru, July 20: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully ground-tested a home-grown developed ‘high thrust cryogenic rocket engine' for duration of 800 seconds. ISRO sources said that the state-of-the-art cryogenic rocket engine, generating a nominal thrust of 19 tonnes, was endurance hot-tested on July 16, 2015 at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri. Situated in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, the IPRC Mahendragiri is equipped with most modern facilities for realising the cutting edge technology products for ISRO's space research programmme. The latest test was for a duration of approximately 25 per cent more than the engine burn duration in flight. The engine once operational will be used for powering the Cryogenic stage (C25), the upper stage of the next generation GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle of ISRO, capable of launching four-tonne class satellites. This high-performance cryogenic engine was conceived, configured and realised by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), the lead centre of ISRO responsible for developing liquid propulsion systems for various space programmes. High-altitude test planned The performance of the engine closely matches with the pre-test prediction made using the in-house developed cryogenic engine mathematical modelling and simulation software. Prior to engine realisation, a series of subsystem level tests were carried out to independently evaluate the design of major subsystems like the turbopumps, thrust chamber, gas generator, flow control components, etc. Based on the confidence gained, the integrated engine testing was initiated. As part of the C25 Stage development, further tests are planned in high-altitude conditions and in Stage configuration, prior to the flight stage realisation. Engine design a total in-house effort ISRO says that the engine design was totally an in-house effort with experts from fluid dynamics, combustion, thermal, structural, metallurgy, fabrication, rotor dynamics and control components working together. The fabrication of major subsystems of the engine was carried out through Indian industries. ISRO says that the recent successful endurance hot test of the first high thrust cryogenic engine is the 10th test in a series of tests planned and executed as part of the development of the engine employing complex cryogenic technology.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by member_28108 »

So they have been quietly testing the engine while our armchair warriors complain :D

With the MOM satellite project being an unqualified success wonder what happened to all that Rona dhona which was also going on in the past :evil: .
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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prasannasimha wrote:So they have been quietly testing the engine while our armchair warriors complain :D

With the MOM satellite project being an unqualified success wonder what happened to all that Rona dhona which was also going on in the past :evil: .
are nahi Sir, now there is no rona dhona for these small things :wink:
Now we want 10 tonne GTO capability so want a semi cryo engine too quickly. Not much news on that front
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by Varoon Shekhar »

Very good! How long would it usually take for a full stage test on the ground?
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by member_28108 »

Different tests will be done for eg high altitude test and multiple firings to ascertain various parameters restart and validate various settings. it is supposed to also be dialable for various thrust levels
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by SSSalvi »

Varoon Shekhar wrote:Very good! How long would it usually take for a full stage test on the ground?
800 seconds is 25% more than actual requirement ( about 650 secs ).

Of course it is only the bare CE-20 engine test, not an integrated C25 stage.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by Gagan »

Why did they test for 25% more duration hain ji?
Are they planning to accelerate their satellites to beyond earth orbits? Like throwing off satellites directly to Mars and beyond !!!!!
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by symontk »

Gagan wrote:Why did they test for 25% more duration hain ji?
Are they planning to accelerate their satellites to beyond earth orbits? Like throwing off satellites directly to Mars and beyond !!!!!
ISRO will use the 80% downrated engines for the initial launches, then will get the actual rated ones later

It was seen with PSLV too for example, S125 became S139, L37.5 became L42 etc
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by SSSalvi »

Feedback on a slightly stale ( discussed 2/3 pages earlier ) subject of coverage by DMC3 satellites.
prasannasimha wrote:
One question , how are 3 satellites in LEO spaced 120 deg apart able to provide pan earth monitoring ? I thought for near complete observation we need to keep it at GSO orbit and even there we will not be able to see extreme polar regions needing additional polar /sun synchronous orbits or Molniya orbits.
Following figure shows 'DMC3 like' satellites ( 690 Kms height, 98 deg inclination, 3 satellites sharing a common orbit 120 deg spaced from each other, orbital period of each satellite is about 98 minutes ) ... actual DMC3 satellites have yet to attain final orbits hence can't draw the 'real' satellite orbits )

Image

In the orbit the 3 satellites follow each other 120 deg away in the same orbit as seen in top left figure. By the time the next satellite comes in the place of 1st satellite after ( 98/3 ) minutes , the earth rotates and so the satellites trace 3 equally spaced ground traces as shown in bottom portion of figure .. each satellite in different colour.

We zoom near Sat2 in the next figure.

Image

Red color and white color lines show two satellite paths traced on ground. They are about 680 kms apart.

The satellites image an area of about 23 kms swath shown around the orbit.

So clearly the satellites DO NOT COVER entire earth in a day ..

.. B U T ..

The satellite has a capability to look 45 deg away from the path ( like a squint eye :) ).

[ I am not sure whether 45 means +/- 22.5 or +/- 45 deg ... so I have plotted the area covered in both the cases ].

With this side looking capability it is possible to cover ANY AREA ANY DAY ( of course at the cost of not covering the area under the orbit ) .. hence the " pan earth coverage " is possible in a way.

I would term this capability as follows : With 3 satellites, spaced 120 deg apart, it is possible to cover 'ANY REQUIRED' AREA on the Earth's sphere ANY DAY.

===

One advantage I see with this 120 degees spacing arrangement is a stereo capability ... you can image same area from two satellites within about 33 minutes from two points separated by about 680 kms.
Last edited by SSSalvi on 26 Jul 2015 15:02, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by sivab »

SSSalvi wrote:
800 seconds is 25% more than actual requirement ( about 650 secs ).

Of course it is only the bare CE-20 engine test, not an integrated C25 stage.
S^3ji, please see slide 9 in following presentation for future C30 stage (20% more than C25) with SC160 stage for ~6 ton to GTO on ULV. My guess is they are also testing to make sure CE-20 will be fine for future growth.

https://icsr.iitm.ac.in/node/pdf/Future ... r,LPSC.pdf

Image
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by SSSalvi »

^^^
@ sivab

It is a general ISRO culture to test the equipments for higher stresses than the operational requirement.

As regards engine, no extra design change is required than fuel to test it for a more duration as long as you are sure that the engine can sustain a continuous burn for extended period.

Your musings seems to be correct.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by Anurag »

What's the tonnage to GTO when you put four S200s for the ULV?
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Anurag wrote:What's the tonnage to GTO when you put four S200s for the ULV?
Its not so easy to just add on multiple boosters as the effect of each such booster addition needs to be studied wrt flight stability and spearation mechanics. One possible design for an ultraheavy launcher is

Image

This is an old Image by Arun S
Image
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by vasu raya »

Are any of the IRS sats comparable to the DMC3 type except for the slant look capability? ability to launch a usable constellation on a single PSLV is a great advantage.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by SSSalvi »

^^^
It is not possible to compare the capabilities of satellites.

2005 Carto1 2.5M res 2cams .. fore and aft 1600 kg
2007 Carto2 < 1M 680 Kg
2008 Carto2A < 1M 690 Kg
2008 Carto2B < 1M 690 Kg

=====

2015 DMC3 1M 440 Kg

==========================================================
Added, 31st July- ( in response to next post )

Any satellite in Polar orbit ( around 90 deg inclination ) has a global coverage capability as long as the satellite has onboard recording facility.. which nowadays, is not a problem.

Most of the above have steerability to cover offtrack areas.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by vasu raya »

Thanks SSSalvi, are the Carto series meant for regional coverage or have the anywhere coverage without changing orbits? the slant maneuver of DMC3 consumes lesser fuel maybe.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by Gagan »

prasannasimha wrote:
Anurag wrote:What's the tonnage to GTO when you put four S200s for the ULV?
Its not so easy to just add on multiple boosters as the effect of each such booster addition needs to be studied wrt flight stability and spearation mechanics. One possible design for an ultraheavy launcher is

Image
Hai Ram,
What a monster ! 4 SemiCryo 460s, SemiCryo 800, Cryo 100 !!!
73m tall !!!
Is this thing for real? Is this achievable in our lifetimes?
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^^^^^^^^^^^^
Something like the below is possible by 2020-22

http://www.vssc.gov.in/VSSC_V4/images/i ... 00-C50.JPG
Heavy lift Launch Vehicle capable of placing up to 10 ton class of spacecrafts into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit is currently under study by a project team. This new generation launch vehicle will derive its propulsion modules from LVM3 as well as from new developments, which include semi cryogenic booster stage, larger solid strap on boosters as compared to S200 strap on motors used in LVM3 and a larger cryogenic upper stage. The Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle will have an optimal and robust design incorporating the latest technologies.
:oops: still not able to figure out how to paste image here....
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Post by shaun »

^^^
Image
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Post by Gyan »

Have we considered the possibility that plasma engines being developed by ISRO may lead to satellite weights falling by half. There are more than one way to skin the CAT.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by SSridhar »

Isro to put US satellite in space for the first time - Tejonmayam, ToI
CHENNAI: Many may find it a crowning glory, but Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) scientists think it's just an acknowledgement long due. The US, which imposed sanctions on India, will take India's help to launch one of its satellites soon.

Isro has a track record of launching satellites for 19 countries including space-faring nations, but this is the first time the US would be using an Indian vehicle, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, to put one of its satellite in orbit.

"US will be the 20th country to sign up for a commercial launch by India," said Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar
, on the sidelines of the 5th convocation of AMET University. "It's the cost-effective technology we have."

India has so far launched 45 satellites for 19 nations. Kiran Kumar said another 28 foreign satellites will be launched in the next two years. "The need of the hour is to increase our capacity," he said.

ISRO, at present, is gearing up for the launch of GSLV-Mark-II, probably around August 27. "The 2.1-tonne capacity GSLV-Mark-II will be carrying a communication satellite," he said. "By March 2016, we will launch seven satellites."

Isro, meanwhile, has put to long-duration test its indigenously developed cryogenic engine for GSLV-Mark-III, which can carry satellites weighing up to four tonnes. "We will launch it by December 2016," Kumar said. India's big missions including the proposed manned mission rests on the shoulders of GSLV-MIII.

Having successfully launched a Mars mission, India is planning a mission to Venus. Isro is also on the lookout for a launch pad outside Sriharikota, in Kulasekharapattinam in southern Tamil Nadu.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by vasu raya »

Given that cross border terror attacks were using GPS technology, wiki says this which dates around year 2000

Tension with the United States
Galileo is intended to be an EU civilian GNSS that allows all users access to it. GPS is a US military GNSS that provides location signals that have high precision to US military users, while also providing less precise location signals to others. The GPS had the capability to block the "civilian" signals while still being able to use the "military" signal (M-band). A primary motivation for the Galileo project was the EU concern that the US could deny others access to GPS during political disagreements.[21]

Since Galileo was designed to provide the highest possible precision (greater than GPS) to anyone, the US was concerned that an enemy could use Galileo signals in military strikes against the US and its allies (some weapons like missiles use GNSS systems for guidance). The frequency initially chosen for Galileo would have made it impossible for the US to block the Galileo signals without also interfering with its own GPS signals. The US did not want to lose their GNSS capability with GPS while denying enemies the use of GNSS. Some US officials became especially concerned when Chinese interest in Galileo was reported.[24]

An anonymous EU official claimed that the US officials implied that they might consider shooting down Galileo satellites in the event of a major conflict in which Galileo was used in attacks against American forces.[25] The EU's stance is that Galileo is a neutral technology, available to all countries and everyone. At first, EU officials did not want to change their original plans for Galileo, but have since reached a compromise, that Galileo was to use a different frequency. This allowed the blocking or jamming of either GNSS system without affecting the other (jam Galileo without affecting GPS, or jam GPS but not Galileo), giving the US a greater advantage in conflicts in which it has the electronic warfare upper hand.[26]
here's Beidou Global system (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System or BeiDou-2)
Frequencies for COMPASS are allocated in four bands: E1, E2, E5B, and E6 and overlap with Galileo. The fact of overlapping could be convenient from the point of view of the receiver design, but on the other hand raises the issues of inter-system interference, especially within E1 and E2 bands, which are allocated for Galileo's publicly regulated service.[47] However, under International Telecommunication Union (ITU) policies, the first nation to start broadcasting in a specific frequency will have priority to that frequency, and any subsequent users will be required to obtain permission prior to using that frequency, and otherwise ensure that their broadcasts do not interfere with the original nation's broadcasts. It now appears that Chinese COMPASS satellites will start transmitting in the E1, E2, E5B, and E6 bands before Europe's Galileo satellites and thus have primary rights to these frequency ranges.
In summary US can jam both Galileo and Beidou while ensuring its own GPS is active, not that its immune to other nation states. Wiki also talks about phasing out the Selective Availability feature of the GPS service, though given the Brahmos test failure experience, and patchy service around the LoC, this may not be true.
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Isro to launch 9 nano/micro American satellites - PTI
Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) will be launching nine nano/ micro satellites for United States during 2015-16 time frame.

This will be the first time that Isro will launch a US satellite.

"As on date, Antrix Corporation Ltd, the commercial arm of Isro, has signed agreement to launch about nine nano/micro (US) satellites during 2015-2016 timeframe," Isro director public relations Deviprasad Karnik said.

These satellites will go as piggyback on PSLV's (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), officials said.

So far, 45 satellites belonging to international customers from 19 countries have been launched successfully by Isro's satellite launch vehicles.

Meanwhile Dr K Sivan, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said that the first Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) would be held during the end of this year.

"The first RLV technology demonstration will be held in the end of 2015," Sivan told reporters in Thrissur.

RLV-TD is a series of technology demonstration missions that have been considered as a first step towards realising a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable vehicle.

Sivan also said that the fully indigenous developed Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) D6 would be launched by end of this month, adding the cost of the 2.5 tonne vehicle would be around Rs 250 crore.

The launch of GSAT 6 is expected to give a huge impetus in the field of communication sector in the country.
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ISRO hopes soar for another indigenous GSLV launch success - Madhumitha D.S, The Hindu
Towards this month-end, national space agency ISRO hopes to realise its second consecutive success with the indigenous GSLV launcher boosted by its Indian cryogenic third stage.

The upcoming GSLV-D6 is the ninth in the series of the indigenous medium-lift satellite launch vehicle. It is for now slated to take off on or around August 27 from Sriharikota. Its passenger, the 2,140-kg communication satellite GSAT-6, was taken to Sriharikota from Bengaluru on July 20.

ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, A.S. Kiran Kumar, told The Hindu: “Our last GSLV launch with the indigenous cryo stage was in January 2014 and it was a success. [A success this time] will mean that ISRO can go ahead and have two GSLV launches a year as planned.

“Each success adds to the reliability and continuity of the vehicle. We now have a viable version. The basics have already been demonstrated. There is a lot of confidence and we are already working on the next lot.”

Satellites from home

The forthcoming launch will notch a significant milestone in the nation’s elusive GSLV programme, which was taken up in the mid-1990s and tried out for the first time in April 2001. The launcher will enable India to put into space two-tonne-class communication satellites from home — rather than on costly Western launchers.

Six early GSLVs, called Mark I, used Russian-made cryo stages. Mark II uses the homegrown cryo stage.

The next four or five GSLV launches would be for domestic use: INSAT-3DR and a spare to replace the meteorology satellite INSAT-3D; GISAT and its follow-on; and GSAT-6A to replace GSAT-6 after a few years.

Mr. Kiran Kumar said: “This flight will also test a few new technologies. One of them is the satellite antenna, which is unfurlable and of six metres in diametre. We are looking forward to testing this out as it has some advantages. It can give concentrated energy density for the same power. So far in older INSATs, we have routinely used antennas with diametres of 2.2 to 2.8 metres.”

As for its older and successful PSLV light-lift launcher, ISRO has made 30 flights since 1995 and has also commercially put 45 small and medium foreign satellites into orbit. Their launch fees earned ISROs business entity Antrix Corporation revenues totalling about Rs. 102 crore.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by hnair »

Via ISRO's FB page:

Indigenous Titanium Sponge Plant operational

Titanium (Ti) alloy products find extensive applications in Aerospace and Defence areas. Properties like high strength to weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance make Titanium alloys (like Ti6Al4V) useful for liquid propellant tanks for launch vehicles and satellites, gas bottle/liners, inter tank structures and interface rings for satellites. Realisation of Titanium alloy wrought products and fabrication of hardware are carried indigenously. However, the raw material for aerospace grade Titanium alloys with high purity Titanium sponge (min. 99.7% Titanium) was being imported from countries like Russia, Japan and China despite the fact that India is endowed with the third largest reserve of Titanium bearing minerals.

ISRO took the initiative to set up a Titanium Sponge Plant (TSP) in the country to meet the requirements in strategic areas. The annual requirement of Titanium sponge for space programme is approx. 200 – 300 Metric Tonnes (MT). ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has established a dedicated 500 MT per annum plant at M/s Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), Chavara, Kollam. The plant is set up with necessary infrastructure to enhance the production capacity to 1000 Tonnes 8) Per Annum (TPA) in future. This is the only integrated plant in the world that undertakes all activities right from mining of Ti minerals to the manufacturing of aerospace grade Ti sponge under one roof.
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http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/scienc ... 536263.ece

ISRO working on semi-cryogenic launch vehicle, its new-generation third rocket programme, to beef up its current portfolio of PSLV and GSLV

The national space programme looks set to ride on a new thaw in the 40-year-old Indo Russian Space ties, as indicated by the just unveiled memorandum of understanding between the Indian Space Research Organisation and Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS).

The MoU covering wide-ranging areas and which was firmed up in June is “just the beginning”. The development of the new, higher-power semi-cryogenic engine could be an immediate beneficiary, according to A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Programme.

Mr. Kiran Kumar told The Hindu, “[The MoU] is the initial process, a lot of discussions must be held before it takes a concrete shape. We would work on future systems of common interest. We have identified several areas and established working groups to go through them. We have to see how it develops.”

The ISRO is working on its new-generation, Rs. 1,800-crore third rocket programme, called the semi-cryogenic launch vehicle, to beef up its current portfolio of the PSLV and the GSLV. It will use space-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel and is meant to pitch spacecraft totally weighing six to ten tonnes to heights of 36,000 km. This would be double the lifting power of the GSLV and triple that of the PSLV. Only the U.S. and Russia have this technology.

Mr. Kiran Kumar said: “We are looking at using Russian testing facilities for the semi-cryogenic engine. We will be ready with the engine [SCE-200] in six to eight months. Although we will have our own test facility at Mahendragiri, ours will take some time to come up.”

Mutual advantages
About the spin-offs to the Russians, he said today, all space agencies looked at working with each other for many mutual advantages.

ISRO and ROSCOSMOS signed the MoU separately in May and June, Union Minister of State for Space, Atomic Energy & PMO Jitendra Singh said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Unlike in the 1990s, when the GSLV cryogenic technology transfer pact was stymied by U.S. geopolitics, the two sides do not envisage any transfer of technology in the cooperation.

The MoU includes new areas such as navigation. India is building its regional fleet of navigation satellites; Russia is completing its GLONASS global navigation constellation on the lines of the U.S. GPS. The two expect to augment each other’s reference signals for sharpness through ground receivers.

The other areas to be pursued are the ambitious Indian human space programme; outer space exploration, development of space systems and components; training and scientific exchanges.

The ‘new thaw’ is said to have been triggered in April this year when the two countries celebrated the 40th anniversary of the then Soviet Union putting into space the first Indian experimental satellite, the 358-kg ‘Aryabhata’, in 1975.

Then followed Bhaskara-1, IRS-1A and first Indian astronaut flying in space in the Soviet Soyuz T-11 in 1984.
sivab
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by sivab »

prasannasimha wrote: Mr. Kiran Kumar said: “We are looking at using Russian testing facilities for the semi-cryogenic engine. We will be ready with the engine [SCE-200] in six to eight months. Although we will have our own test facility at Mahendragiri, ours will take some time to come up.”
Most important piece of info in that article, fantastic news. If they will be ready with engine in 6-8 months first flight of ULV could be in ~2018 after ground tests for ~2 years.
SSridhar
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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Sparks cause minor injuries to technician at SHAR - The Hindu
Ahead of the proposed GSLV-D6 launch in August-end, a few sparks caused minor injuries to a technician at the Solid Propellant Space Booster (SPROB) plant located at the Sriharikota Range (SHAR) in Nellore district here on Thursday afternoon.

SHAR officials said the technician went to the hospital and was given first aid. Another person working at the place fell from a height of five to six feet and escaped without any injuries.

The officials dismissed as unfounded reports and rumours about a fire accident on the premises of the highly sensitive SPROB plant. It was a ‘non-incident’ and there was no danger of any nature to the installations on the SHAR premises, the officials added.
member_28108
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

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http://maadhyam.isro.gov.in/

The launch of GSLV-D6 carrying India's latest communication satellite GSAT-6 is scheduled on Thursday, August 27, 2015 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Chennai based media persons can provide details to register for covering the launch.

Note: Users who have registered for earlier launches need not register again and can use the earlier User Id to login BUT have to necessarily express their specific interest to cover GSLV-D6/GSAT-6 launch.

Steps for New Registration

Register by providing the personal details.

After logging in with the registered id, upload the scanned copy of VALID ID Proof with photo (Driving License or PAN Card or Voter's ID Card or Adhaar Card) and Accreditation Card/Media ID Card and express interest to cover the launch.



Online Registration Process closes at 18:00 hrs (in the evening) on Friday, August 21, 2015.
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Re: Indian Space Programme Discussion

Post by SSSalvi »

ISRO press release says :

ASTROSAT, a mission for deep sky exploration. transported to Satish Dawan Space Centre (SDSC).

A nice brief about Satellite Transportation Systems (STS ) technicals.
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