Indian Space Programme Discussion

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 31 May 2015 08:27

In case it is useful to any Rocket Dadas here:

A comment describing functioning of Retro Motors in between PS2 shutoff and PS3 ignition by Chandrasekaran Jayaraman

When the second stage completes its job the engine is shut down and the stage seperates from the vehicle - Now third stage has to take over- To minimise the jolt caused by the seperation and to keep control RETRO motors [Small solid motors with nozele pointing upward.]are fired for a clean seperation. There is software to control the pitching of PS3 by giving comands to the Flex nozele to counter the effect of the jolt. The jolt was more and it was beyond the scope of the programe but with in the scope of the Third Stage! and so the pitcing of PS3 was not correct resulting in the failure [Pitching down]. In the next launch the software was modified to handle the jolt and Retro motorperformance was ensured and the nulling of the second stage also was slightly altered. This brought out the rugedness of the PSLV and its ability cope with distrbences during the stage seperations. The mission was grand sucess -IRS P2 was put in the desired orbit using minimum fuel About 8. KG of the availble 30Kg and now it is a weather proof work horse and can launch not only remote sensing sats but also Geo synchronous Sats!

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 14 Jun 2015 17:24

Second half of 2015 seems to be a busy time for ISRO, what with almost a monthly launch program.

June end/ July mid - PSLV- C28 DMC3 (UK), SkySat#3 (US) (+ Alsat 2b ?)
August - Experimental RLV-TD
September - PSLV C30 - IRNSS-1E
October - PSLV C34 AstroSat-1 + LAPAN-a2 (Indonesia)
Nov-Dec - GSAT-15 ( ISRO satellite to be launched by ESA Vehicle Ariane 5 )
December - PSLV C31 - IRNSS-1F
-----
Another possibility: [ August may have GSLV-D6 Mk II - GSAT-6 ]

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 14 Jun 2015 17:43

^

Good info, SSSalvi! The uncertainty is with the GSLV Mark 2 launch of GSAT-6A. There's a website 'launch schedule', that gives a January 2016 date for the mission. Yet, ISRO has been talking about July-August. Why the discrepancy if not grotesque inaccuracy? A lot of people are eagerly awaiting the next GSLV launch, because we want to see the affirmation of the technology, proven once so far. SSSalvi, can you refute the Jan/2016 launch date? Or is that a real possibility?

The really good news is that Astrosat is virtually confirmed for an October launch. And the RLV test is a sure thing for July-August.

Also, for the first time, the PSLV-XL will be used for a commercial launch, of the British and American satellites. So they must be fairly heavy, in total.

akashganga · Post by **akashganga** » 14 Jun 2015 18:19

SSSalvi wrote:Second half of 2015 seems to be a busy time for ISRO, what with almost a monthly launch program.

June end/ July mid - PSLV- C28 DMC3 (UK), SkySat#3 (US) (+ Alsat 2b ?)
August - Experimental RLV-TD
September - PSLV C30 - IRNSS-1E
October - PSLV C34 AstroSat-1 + LAPAN-a2 (Indonesia)
Nov-Dec - GSAT-15 ( ISRO satellite to be launched by ESA Vehicle Ariane 5 )
December - PSLV C31 - IRNSS-1F
-----
Another possibility: [ August may have GSLV-D6 Mk II - GSAT-6 ]

In the first 6 months jan-june of this year they had only one launch. I doubt they will launch more than 2 or 3 in the second half july-dec. Last year in 12 months jan-dec they launched 5 times from India plus one from abroad that was a record. I have read reports that chinese have done back to back two launches withing a week. ISRO should be aggressive in launches or else will be left behind in global space race. My 2 cents.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 14 Jun 2015 23:30

^^^
Assuming 2 months for assembly and pre-launch drill plus post launch ops, a monthly launch is possible in view of 2 launch pads.

We have to remove GSAT-15 from this list ( Arine launch vehicle ), as also RLV-TD ( not a full scale launcher. )

As per some friendly sources C28 is set for launch from 1st Launch Pad and C 34 is from 2nd.

raj-senthil · Post by **raj-senthil** » 15 Jun 2015 15:47

From ISRO facebook:

ISRO to map and provide management plans for heritage sites and monuments of National importance

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Jun 2015 16:43

the current RLV TD is 1.5 ton it seems...like a sedan car size
---

NEW DELHI: In a technology that can bring down costs significantly of launching satellites, India will test reusable launch vehicle next month, the government today said.

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 15 Jun 2015 16:52

Yes this is an experimental launch to test the ascent phase and reentry phase. It will be launched only a solid rocket booster.That is why iot is called HEX and is not a full sized mockup.
Remember that if it has a heat stable reentry - all the more reusable it can have great advantage to the country in many ways.
The next experiment LEX will attempt landing

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 15 Jun 2015 20:56

"Another possibility: [ August may have GSLV-D6 Mk II - GSAT-6 ]"

SSSalvi, do you think the GSLV Mark 2( D-6) will be launched this summer, or is there a real possibility of it being postponed to January, 2016, as is claimed by the website 'spaceflight schedule'( or some name like that!).

raj-senthil · Post by **raj-senthil** » 16 Jun 2015 00:04

From Hindu:

Static test of S200 motor successful

The test results are in the process of being analysed for future applications. The development and qualification of S200 Solid Boosters was initially completed for GSLV-Mk3 in 2010 and 2011.

The static test of S200 motor with 205 tonnes of HTPB-based propellant was successfully carried out at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), also known as Sriharikota Range (SHAR) in Nellore district on Sunday.

SDSC director P. Kunhikrishnan, along with the space scientists drawn from the Vikrama Sarabhai Space Centre and also project director of GSLV Mk3, were present on the occasion.

The test results are in the process of being analysed for future applications. The development and qualification of S200 Solid Boosters was initially completed for GSLV-Mk3 in 2010 and 2011. However, to bring down the dynamic pressure during transonic regime, a modified Head End Segment (HES) grain geometry has been designed and realised.

raj-senthil · Post by **raj-senthil** » 16 Jun 2015 00:10

From ibnlive :

India to test reusable launch vehicle in July: ISRO

New Delhi: In a technology that can bring down costs significantly of launching satellites, India will test reusable launch vehicle in July, the government on Monday said.

The Indian Space Research (ISRO) will also launch Astrosat, India's first dedicated satellite for astronomy by September 2015.

"This is in its initial stages. There are multiple experiments which need to be completed. The first launch is in July and this will help improve cost effectiveness. It will reduce the cost by one-tenth.

"The launch vehicle will be landing first time in the ocean and the ultimate attempt is to make it land at an air-strip at Sriharikota," ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar said.

Addressing a news conference to highlight the landmark of the first annivessary of the NDA government in the arena of space, Minister for State in Prime Minister's Office, under which the Department of Space falls, Jitendra Singh said, India will complete the launch of two satellites of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) series in 2016 and three satellites, in the subsequent year.

The Minister said over the past one year, the space department has launched 11 satellites.

"The satellite (of Astrosat) was delayed because one of the payloads had a component and there was an issue with respect to that. Now the satellite is fully integrated and the environmental test is fully in progress and it will be launched in September this year," Kumar said.

Kumar, who is also the Space secretary, said that the country's lunar mission will take three more years for the satellite to launch.

Speaking about the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Kumar said of the images it has received from the mission, it is in process of making the validating and analysing the discoveries it has made before making it public.

"We have a working arrangement with NASA. We are also in discussion with CNES (French space agency). Recently we had a discussion with the UAE. It wants to have a Mars Mission for 2020. So they are interested in making use of the expertise available here," he said.

raj-senthil · Post by **raj-senthil** » 16 Jun 2015 00:21

From todays official release : pib.nic.in

The ISRO Chairman informed that various missions are planned for the upcoming year 2015-16 including launch of PSLV-C28 in July, GSLV–D6 in August, ASTROSAT in September this year among others. The launch of IRNSS-1F and IRNSS-1G are planned for beginning of the next year 2016, he informed.

akashganga wrote:
SSSalvi wrote:Second half of 2015 seems to be a busy time for ISRO, what with almost a monthly launch program.

June end/ July mid - PSLV- C28 DMC3 (UK), SkySat#3 (US) (+ Alsat 2b ?)
August - Experimental RLV-TD
September - PSLV C30 - IRNSS-1E
October - PSLV C34 AstroSat-1 + LAPAN-a2 (Indonesia)
Nov-Dec - GSAT-15 ( ISRO satellite to be launched by ESA Vehicle Ariane 5 )
December - PSLV C31 - IRNSS-1F
-----
Another possibility: [ August may have GSLV-D6 Mk II - GSAT-6 ]
In the first 6 months jan-june of this year they had only one launch. I doubt they will launch more than 2 or 3 in the second half july-dec. Last year in 12 months jan-dec they launched 5 times from India plus one from abroad that was a record. I have read reports that chinese have done back to back two launches withing a week. ISRO should be aggressive in launches or else will be left behind in global space race. My 2 cents.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 16 Jun 2015 01:38

"The ISRO Chairman informed that various missions are planned for the upcoming year 2015-16 including launch of PSLV-C28 in July, GSLV–D6 in August, ASTROSAT in September this year among others. The launch of IRNSS-1F and IRNSS-1G are planned for beginning of the next year 2016, he informed."

Good news, Raj! I hope it's honest and accurate. They are being somewhat bold, in delaying the completion of the IRNSS system, and giving the GSLV D-6 a test in August! Also, really nice to hear that "Astrosat" is pushed up one month, to September. All this time, we were assured of an October launch. Glad that ISRO is being inaccurate in the other direction, for a change!

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 16 Jun 2015 02:28

Launch timetable as per PIB release:

July - PSLV- C28 DMC3 (UK), SkySat#3 (US) (+ Alsat 2b ?)
August - GSLV-D6- GSAT-6
September - RLV-TD Experimental
- PSLV C34 AstroSat-1 + LAPAN-a2 (Indonesia)
October - GSAT-15
Nov - PSLV(CA) C29 - TeLEOS-1 + KR 1 + VELOX C1 (Singapore)
December - PSLV C30 - IRNSS-1E

( Italics are my additions ... not in official document )

It would be interesting to revisit this table on new year day.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 16 Jun 2015 02:47

^
Wow, now there is a PSLV-C29 commercial launch in November, which magician's hat did that come out of?

Wonderful if it's true, I'll believe it when I see it!

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 16 Jun 2015 04:40

Wow. RLV now in September from July. Wow.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 17 Jun 2015 02:24

"He said that ISRO is planning to launch GSLV Mark-II by March next year.

He also said India's indigenous radar system to trace the debris in space has also become operational.

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/art ... aign=cppst

Now, this is getting silly. Why so many conflicting news reports about the launch date? ISRO has a credibility issue with announced schedules. They are rarely accurate. Let's hope this is some misprint, what happened to the August mission date?

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 22 Jun 2015 17:16

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/new ... 342251.ece

HAL delivers ‘Orbiter Craft Module Structure’ of Chandrayaan-2 to ISRO

ANIL URS
COMMENT · PRINT · T+

BENGALURU, JUNE 22:
HAL has delivered ‘Orbiter Craft Module Structure’ of Chandrayaan-2 to ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC).

Chandrayaan-2 is a two module configuration spacecraft comprising of the ‘Orbiter Craft’ and the ‘Lander Craft’.

“The Orbiter Craft Module structure is a 3 tonne category bus structure made out of a central composite cylinder, shear webs and deck panels”, said T Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission is aimed at placing an Orbiter around the moon and sending a Lander and Rover to the surface of the moon. It will be launched by a Geo-Stationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MKII).

HAL has partnered and supported ISRO throughout its journey by providing hardware for satellites, SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLVMKII and GSLV MKIII (LVM3).

HAL's association with India's space program dates back to early 70s, when HAL provided technical inputs and manufacturing support to ISRO for realisation of light alloy structural assemblies for satellites and launch vehicle.

HAL had built the structural assembly of India's first satellite ‘Aryabhata’ which was launched on April 19, 1975. The association further strengthened with vital inputs from HAL to build the satellites “Bhaskara-1”, “Apple” and Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV).

The technical capabilities of HAL made ISRO to partner with HAL in all its space endeavours including the recent Mars Mission. HAL has a division at Bengaluru totally dedicated to cater to ISRO’s growing requirement.

(This article was published on June 22, 2015)

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 22 Jun 2015 17:22

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 22 Jun 2015 17:34

http://www.isro.gov.in/annual-recruitme ... lectronics

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 22 Jun 2015 19:38

prasannasimha, any reasonably credible update on the launch of the GSLV Mark 2, with GSAT-6?

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 22 Jun 2015 22:35

There is no official launch date.

raj-senthil · Post by **raj-senthil** » 22 Jun 2015 22:37

Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in its 100th Orbit around Mars

India’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft is in its 100th orbit around Mars today (Start : June 22, 2015 End: June 25, 2015). The spacecraft was designed for a mission life of six months in Mars orbit, which was completed on March 24, 2015. With this, the primary objectives of the Mars Orbiter Mission were realised.

Mars Orbiter spacecraft has outlived its prime mission life and is healthy and operational. The spacecraft, which had earlier entered the ‘blackout phase’ (due to Mars moving behind the Sun from Earth’s perspective), is gradually coming out of that phase. The spacecraft health data is now being received. The current elliptical orbit of Mars Orbiter Spacecraft has a periareion (nearest point to Mars) of 474 km and an apoareion (farthest point to Mars) of 71, 132 km.

The payloads onboard the Spacecraft were last operated in May 2015, and performance of all payloads were satisfactory. Mars Colour Camera (MCC) of the spacecraft had taken 405 frames so far. Operations of all payloads will restart in a few weeks from now.

raj-senthil · Post by **raj-senthil** » 22 Jun 2015 22:39

From ISRO face book:

Image from Mars Colour Camera (MCC), taken on May 09, 2015 at 16:11:23UT at an altitude of 535 km and resolution ~25m. This is the last image taken before going into blackout mode. The image shows the area between Sinai and Lassell craters

shravanp · Post by **shravanp** » 22 Jun 2015 22:45

Amazing pics. I have a rather noobie question on Mars. Why are there so many circular craters on Martian surface? I am visualizing it as if a million rocks were showered upon on Mars. Probably that could be why there's no life, and atmosoheric envelope is quite thin.

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 22 Jun 2015 23:01

Mars and the moon have a lot of craters.Most meteors burn up in our atmosphere whereas that of Mars(which is less dens) and the moon(no atmosphere) will allow them to hit the planet/moon and cause craters.

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 23 Jun 2015 05:46

^Also, it is a geological dead planet, no molten core like for earth, so the crust doesn't change much over the millions of years and furthermore the erosive elements like flowing water aren't there.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 26 Jun 2015 17:05

"AugustGSLV Mk. 2 • GSAT 6
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk. 2, flying on the GSLV-D6 mission, will launch the GSAT 6 communications satellite. GSAT 6 will provide communications services for the Indian military. Delayed from March and May. [May 2]"

This above news is from spaceflightnow.com, a pretty credible source, and one that is constantly updated.

srin · Post by **srin** » 26 Jun 2015 17:12

GSAT-6 - wasn't that the one that was linked to the Devas scam ?

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 26 Jun 2015 17:14

Someone was pissed off by no date declaration. As is where is there is no official date declaration.I think that they are juggling various experimental flights.GSLV still is an "experimental flight' so maybe they needed to fine tune and reanalyze all data that was obtained on the succesful flight and more importantly the feedback would have bearing on the Mark 3 and semicryogenic projects.

^GSAT 6 was indeed linked to the Devas scam

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 26 Jun 2015 17:27

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pslv- ... 150625.htm

Three of those satellites, each weighing about 449 kg....

First entirely commercial launch using the PSLV XL, pretty bold and impressive with 3 satellites each weighing 450kg, plus two micro-sats.

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 26 Jun 2015 18:25

Varoon Shekhar wrote:http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pslv- ... 150625.htm

Three of those satellites, each weighing about 449 kg....

First entirely commercial launch using the PSLV XL, pretty bold and impressive with 3 satellites each weighing 450kg, plus two micro-sats.

They have done this before. In fact I think in one particular launch they launched 13 satellites. In fact the ability to launch multiple payloads from the bus is in a way a sign of the ability to progress on MIRV's though the packing for MIRV's would be more tight but the ability to sequence the payloads is available with us.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 26 Jun 2015 18:29

Hi Prasanna, This is the first time that the XL is being used for a purely 'commercial' mission. Those other flights, including the one in April/2008 where ISRO launched 10 satellites, used the "core only" version of the PSLV.

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 26 Jun 2015 19:52

Technically they have launched multiple payloads with the same upper configuration. The decision to use a particular variant is based more on the payload requirements.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 26 Jun 2015 20:35

^
CA has payload limitation of 1100 Kgs
XL can deliver 1600 Kgs
C28 payload = 3*450 + microsats ...... >1400 Kgs so CA is ruled out.

Although there is no official announcement, I have a gut feeling that they will use only XL or CA in future .. no more PSLV ( Regular ) to reduce inventory types.

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 02 Jul 2015 09:58

ISRO Chairman: New Space roadmap soon, but tackling the backlog comes first

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/scienc ... 375129.ece

You also have to first solve some of the existing problems - facilities, people, the GSLV Mark II [launcher which uses the indigenous cryogenic engine.] We are streamlining the entire Mk II activity. We have a good visibility for its cryo engine. For the heavy-lift GSLV Mk III, the indigenous development of its cryogenic engine is progressing satisfactorily.

This is the first set of activities I am trying to complete.

In the next one year we have seven launches and want to increase the number beyond that. We have facility bottlenecks. The way people work will also have to change. Everything will have to happen in a much more vigorous way [than until now].

We should firm up our newer geostationary launch vehicle technology activities. R&D is going on for the semi-cryogenic engine to lift much heavier payloads.

Recently the government approved 15 future PSLVs. A substantial portion of these launchers gets done in industry. In the future, may be a full launch, too, without compromising the security aspect.

Good!!

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 02 Jul 2015 16:09

^ Yes, nice sense of urgency over the GSLV programmes. Now, when is the July 10th launch of PSLV C28 going to emerge from the shadows? Hope that's not being postponed!

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Jul 2015 20:22

ISRO’s GAGAN to provide navigational support to Railways - Business Line

ISRO has said it will provide navigational support to the country’s Railways through ‘GAGAN’ (GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation) system.

“ISRO will provide satellite-generated information to the railways through space technology-based tools that will provide safety at unmanned level crossings,” ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar told reporters here yesterday in reply to a question on how will ISRO help the Railways in using the navigational support system.

“There are host of requirements for using GAGAN in railways. We are providing some solutions,” Kumar said.

GAGAN is an indigenous navigational guide system developed by ISRO on the lines of GPS system of the US.

Elaborating on it, Kumar said that at some places the railway tracks are under stress. If water accumulation happens, then based on digital elevation model data, other host of information which they generate can be given.

“There is specific information provided for aligning the railway tracks, particularly in mountainous regions, and also identifying tracks which are most stable when you are going through tunnels. In all these things, space technology is useful,” he said.

“We are trying to provide space technology-based tools for enabling them to deal with unmanned level crossings,” he said.

GAGAN was jointly developed by the ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI) with a view to assist aircraft in accurate landing.

The GAGAN signal is being broadcast through two Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites – GSAT8 and GSAT10.

With the use of GAGAN software system, a train would know the location of any unmanned level crossing and soon a warning signal can be given.

As soon as the warning signal will be given, the train’s hooter will automatically start when it comes near an unmanned crossing.

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 02 Jul 2015 23:08

now this is one project where ISRO should have had got some commercial launches but it seems it missed out.

http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/07/01/on ... n-history/

All gone to Arianespace [Soyux] and few to LauncherOne vehicle. With Airbus , Bharti pumping money in this project, ISRO should have
won few launches [some discussion was ongoing though but seems no success] . Scale up

raj-senthil · Post by **raj-senthil** » 03 Jul 2015 05:57

From ISRO facebook:

Illustrated Book on Mars Orbiter Mission