Indian Space Program: News & Discussion - Sept 2016

JayS · Post by **JayS** » 10 Oct 2016 17:02

Varoon Shekhar wrote: Otherwise, they could tantalise the pubilc.

Everyone in India wants T20 match now a days. No patience left for test match at all.

disha · Post by **disha** » 10 Oct 2016 17:25

Is not ISRO's financial year 2016 ending in March 2017?

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 10 Oct 2016 17:32

Varoon Shekhar wrote:oh definitely! But ISRO sounded so confident and self assured of a by-the-year-end launch, first mentioning it 2 years ago in Dec 2014, then most recently just 2 weeks ago. If they are not certain of a specific launch date- that too after mentioning it several times- perhaps they should withhold announcing a precise month for a mission, and say it could be within say, a 3 month span. Otherwise, they could tantalise the pubilc.

The date theygive is their target date which they want to reach they don't anmnounce dates to tatnalize public.When there is a glitch that takes priority over any date.If yousee how their mission readiness review is done , any one right from the chairman to the sweeper can raise an objection if they see it and it must be checked and addressed if there is a bug. With this they may have more bugs posted but the net errors will be less. Do it in a hurry and you can destroy the launch pad like space X. NASA may have multiple pads etc (but will be a problem even for them) and we have very few pads etc and shoe string budgets. So when they find something that needs to be corrected that takes precedence.
What they provide is their estimated/targeted month of launch- so if they find a major error even if they announce a window of a quarter even that can shift isn't it.
It is senseless to crib about developmental flights because it is a process of discovery and an adventure- you justdont knw what surprises may spring up to yuou. Once a thing is validated things are different. For eg PSLV launch campaigns are now fairly standardized isn't it. That just doesn't happen with developmental flights.

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 10 Oct 2016 21:18

Actually, I am with Varoon Shekhar ji on this. It does not reflect well on any organization if you miss your own self-published dates consistently. And it is not a ISRO only thing. It goes for HAL, ADA everybody. Give tentative timelines till you can give out a firm date. Once you give a firm date, stick to it. I love TASL for this. They are always ahead of schedule!

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 10 Oct 2016 21:22

All the dates given are indeed tentative dates. They mention the expected launch date and it is not a firm date but mentions the month or quarter. They mention an actual date when the launch campaign starts.

juvva · Post by **juvva** » 12 Oct 2016 12:41

^They announced the Dec 2016 date and reiterated it many times. If they are not able to meet the date, ISRO should at least communicate the reasons in some detail.

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 12 Oct 2016 19:21

^ What was the day that they announced that it will be launched ?

nirav · Post by **nirav** » 13 Oct 2016 08:17

I dont believe this.

ISRO must keep their time lines to avoid tantalizing the public.
The public gets tantalized and titillated when a khan movie releases or is delayed. Not when ISRO cant keep its timeline.

In this line of work, delays are to be expected. More so for developmental work. If the "public" which is interested in what ISRO does keeps berating ISRO like this all the time, they would get very tempted to just stop their transparent declarations !

a poster above wants ISRO to communicate details as to why theres a delay.

Hmm, would you sir also like a ride on the GSLV ? Round maarenge aap ?

bharats · Post by **bharats** » 15 Oct 2016 08:21

Why GSLV Mark III’s Success Is Really Important
by Swarajyamag.com Surajit Dasgupta October 14, 2016

SnapShot: While success stories keep emanating from ISRO, space science enthusiasts have been wondering when India’s space agency will no longer need rockets of the European Space Agency to launch heavy satellites?

It is a monumental challenge to put a satellite on top of the earth’s equator, making it move with a velocity equal to that of our planet’s rotation. On 6 October, India’s space scientists succeeded in the launching of GSAT-18 communication satellite from Kourou, French Guiana, located on the north-east of the South American continent. While success stories keep emanating from ISRO, space science enthusiasts have been wondering when India’s space agency will no longer need rockets of the European Space Agency to launch heavy satellites and place them in geostationary orbits. On this occasion, we used the Ariane 5 rocket of the French company Arianespace.

The wait wouldn’t be long, given that our Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark III is slated to debut this December after its engine is tested as fulfilling all the necessary parameters. “The satellite is scheduled to be launched during Fourth Quarter of 2016 by GSLV-Mk III-D1 Launcher from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota,” the relevant page on the ISRO website reads.

All the reports that we have received so far of ISRO’s successful rocket launches using wholly Indian facilities pertained to the less advanced — but commercially a big hit among India’s international customers — PSLV (Polar SLV) with loads much less than that of the GSAT-18, which weighs 3,404 kg. The weight owes to the fact that a satellite of the kind holds Ka and Ku band payloads and a geostationary radiation spectrometer; the idea is “to monitor and study the nature of the charged particles and influence of space radiation on spacecraft and electronic components”, ISRO says. Launched by different rockets, these payloads together make satellites weigh never less than 2,000 kg each. The spectrometer would increase the weight of the satellite further by about 1,400-1,500 kg.

It is a monumental challenge to put a satellite on top of the earth’s equator, making it move with a velocity equal to that of our planet’s rotation. The satellite must move much faster to stay over a fixed spot on earth because the circumference of its orbit is much larger than that of the earth surface. But lighter rockets are not a mean achievement of ISRO, on the backdrop of an international sanction against supplying the cryogenic engine to India. Undaunted by the sanction, India’s space scientists developed one indigenously (1994-2008), and they have not rested on the laurels ever since.

In fact, foreign technology is no way the key to success in this field. After the project to make the GSLV was conceived in 2000, the development flight of the first rocket that used a Russian cryogenic engine failed on 18 April 2001 because of a flaw in the design of the propulsion system. GSLV Mk 1a and 1b succeeded when the full-size core stage was deployed, putting GSAT 2 & 3 into the intended orbits. More hits and misses followed. The GSLV that tried to place INSAT 4C into orbit in July 2006 failed when a booster malfunctioned. That was followed by the partial success of GSLV Mk II the next year, which placed INSAT 4CR lower than the orbit intended due an underperforming flight control system; a spacecraft then had to push the satellite higher. Next, in 2010, the GSLV Mk II failed because the upper stage did not work.

The complexity of the process can be appreciated by following the trajectory of the rocket from the stage where the lowest part is ignited first. As the rocket, which is not supposed to rise straight up as it must catch a certain spot in an orbit over the earth’s equator that is constantly rotating, the subsequent stages involve a combination of chemical engineering, mechanics and dynamics. Combustion at the same rate is not advisable for the rocket whose weight is constantly reducing due to the lower parts burning out. That calls for a combination of fuels; the energy from a liquid fuel can be regulated much better than that from a solid fuel. Since the angle of the flight must change gradually to catch up with the intended spot on the designated orbit, it is about mathematics. India is using a solid-liquid-liquid propulsion from the lowest to the uppermost stage. As different fuels will propel the rocket (whose weight is constantly reducing) at different speeds, it means a combination of chemistry (inorganic for solids and organic for liquids), mechanics (physics of machines) and dynamics (mathematics of movements).

When the rocket has lost all its parts but one, it is the stage where manoeuvring must be the nimblest. It is that phase where escape velocity must give way to orbital velocity, as the rocket will thereafter not move higher from the earth but start revolving around it. Whatever failures ISRO has seen is, therefore, in the chemistry-physics combo. The composition of the rocket and its thrust are not able to match the mathematical calculation of the ground station. But every failure also means loss in crores besides leaving our space scientists depressed for a while. The indomitable but wise ISRO scientists therefore took the simulation route. Even without the C-25 cryogenic upper stage, which will not be ready before 2017, ISRO conducted the first test flight of GSLV Mk III on 18 December 2014 following the cold flow test of the C-20 cryogenic engine two months before that.

The upper stage of this rocket was a mere simulator. The model was structurally the same and the trajectory sub-orbital. The frame, heat shield and parachute system were all basic. This rocket carrying a 3,735 kg load successfully went 126 km up and descended back to the earth’s atmosphere with a velocity of 5,300 m/s, finally slowing down with the opening of its parachute and plunging into the Indian Ocean near the Andamans. But before the whole rocket is tested, parts thereof must conform to the standards. Hence, 24 January 2010 and 4 September 2011 saw static tests of the solid rocket booster to address the shortcoming of 2006. The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre tested the liquid-motored core stage (known as L110) two months after the first successful static test of the booster. ISRO’s Sriharikota facility is working diligently on the S200 boosters in the meantime.

The toughest challenge of building the upper stage will naturally take the longest time. The CE-20 has a gas generator cycle, a first for India. By 2017, to make sure that our satellites do not fall short of reaching the intended orbit, the SCE-200 liquid-fuel rocket engine may be added. This will enhance the payload carrying capacity to 6 tonnes at the geosynchronous transfer orbit or last stage of placing the satellite at its fixed position on the orbit vis-à-vis a spot on earth.

Let’s pray for the success of our space scientists. While we never tire advocating the private sector’s entry in every sector, the industry shows no interest in research in this field; it comes forward only at the stage of manufacturing — former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan had said in July this year. That means that the mission must succeed not only because all the transponders would telecommunications services for India, but also because all the money that goes into these missions is taxpayers’ money.

Website: http://swarajyamag.com/ideas/pray-for-g ... is-success

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 15 Oct 2016 12:26

Good article

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 15 Oct 2016 19:05

All right article but could use some liveliness, funkiness and brevity! Also "Even without the C-25 cryogenic upper stage, which will not be ready before 2017", that's not accurate, is it? It is more or less ready, with some check ups here and there no doubt, and is being put together for the coming December launch. And why call PSLV unsophisticated or less sophisticated, belittling it somewhat. It is sophisticated!

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 15 Oct 2016 19:14

"India Today" articles, particularly those written by Raj Chengappa in years gone by, have that funkiness and great readability for the general public, without sacrificing on important technical detail. His write up on the first PSLV launch, the near miss( "Deviant Behaviour"), really brought out the drama.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 16 Oct 2016 16:39

Come November 23, 2016 , the PSLV-C36 will be launched from First Launch Pad(FLP) of ISRO at Sriharikota carrying 4 satellites aboard:
- Resourcesat-2A
- IITMSAT
- Max Valier
- Venta-1 and
- Niusat .
Out of these NIUSAT is special because it is the 1st satellite from a Private Indian University viz. Noorul Islam University , ( formerly Noorul Islam College of Engineering ) in Kanyakumari.
It took them 5 years to build the satellite.
There is a trigger to build this satellite : It was decided to make the satellite in the wake of tsunami in 2004 that claimed many lives.
The satellite was handed over recently to ISRO for placing it on the vehicle PSLV C36.
Already the university has received requests form various entities ( like MP and Jharkhand Govt agencies ) for building satellites for them.
What a way to go.

Kakarat · Post by **Kakarat** » 16 Oct 2016 17:43

SSSalvi wrote: Out of these NIUSAT is special because it is the 1st satellite from a Private Indian University viz. Noorul Islam University , ( formerly Noorul Islam College of Engineering ) in Kanyakumari.
It took them 5 years to build the satellite.
There is a trigger to build this satellite : It was decided to make the satellite in the wake of tsunami in 2004 that claimed many lives.
The satellite was handed over recently to ISRO for placing it on the vehicle PSLV C36.
Already the university has received requests form various entities ( like MP and Jharkhand Govt agencies ) for building satellites for them.
What a way to go.

This may not be completely correct both SRM and Sathyabama University are Private Indian Universitys
SRMSAT 12-10-2011
SathyabamaSat (SB Sat) 22-06-2016

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 16 Oct 2016 18:55

India is planning to keep a telescope on the moon

http://www.indialivetoday.com/isro-put- ... 46444.html

Chennai,Oct15:The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is looking at the possibility of putting a telescope on moon in order to enhance its scientific observation capacity. Chairman of the organisation, A. S. Kiran Kumar said the space agency is expecting the second moon mission to take place by the end of 2017.

ISRO is considering what could be the next Astrosat-follow on mission. While addressing the students at the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, he said, “There is some discussion with an international body, and this discussion is in progress, on whether we can set up a telescope on moon.”

India’s first dedicated multi wave length space observatory Astrosat was launched in September 2015 for studying black holes and neutron stars.

Currently, there is a remote telescope operational in Hanle, in Leh, Ladakh; the actual operation of which is done from Bengaluru with very minimal support provided from Hanle. The ISRO is exploring the possibility of similarly setting up a telescope in moon. The lack of an atmosphere ensures that there is no atmospheric effect making it an advantage.

“These are under discussion and may be in future we will come up with what kind of scientific observation capability we will have for ourselves,” said Kiran Kumar. He also mentioned that various tests related to Chandrayan 2 mission is under progress and is expected to take place by the end of 2017. Another planetary mission, Aditya, to study Sun is expected in 2018.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 17 Oct 2016 14:58

^^^
^^^
@ Kakarat
Oh! I took TOI article to be a verified source.

You are right and thanks for pointing it out.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 17 Oct 2016 18:49

"It is a monumental challenge to put a satellite on top of the earth’s equator, making it move with a velocity equal to that of our planet’s rotation. The satellite must move much faster to stay over a fixed spot on earth because the circumference of its orbit is much larger than that of the earth surface."

The writer should know that PSLV has done this 9 times, albeit with lighter satellites GSAT-12, Metsat and the 7 IRNSS satellites. He's accurate if he means that heavier satellites of 3000kg and more, have yet to be lofted on an Indian made vehicle.

arunsrinivasan · Post by **arunsrinivasan** » 17 Oct 2016 19:30

FWIW, I visited Sriharikota last month, & the sense I got from the people who were guiding us (Both involved in integrating launch vehicles) was that GSLV launch was unlikely in 2016, most likely Q1 of 2017.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 28 Oct 2016 23:56

ISRO Eyes Record With Launch Of 83 Satellites On Single Rocket In Early 2017

nanos

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isro-eye ... 17-1586052

all 83s in one single orbit !

q: how will they be spaced between each other?

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 29 Oct 2016 00:16

If you release them with varying time they will stay apart.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 29 Oct 2016 03:32

Amazing! At first, they merely speculated about launching 68 satellites sometime next year, meaning 2017. Now they are more certain of launching a whopping 83 satellites, and early in 2017. They are really gaining confidence about these huge multiple satellite launches. Something tells me, they are going to be successful!

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 29 Oct 2016 03:45

prasannasimha ji, I got that... but my moorkhness is about these nano-satellite thrusters. will they eventually be spaced well enough so that they need no logic for collision detection?

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 29 Oct 2016 03:52

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 123860.cms

And they have even set a launch date, January 15th, 2017!

la.khan · Post by **la.khan** » 29 Oct 2016 11:16

SaiK wrote:ISRO Eyes Record With Launch Of 83 Satellites On Single Rocket In Early 2017

nanos

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isro-eye ... 17-1586052

all 83s in one single orbit !

q: how will they be spaced between each other?

83 in one go?!?

Quite a litter we plan to send up

Good luck to ISRO!

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 29 Oct 2016 11:48

SaiK wrote: q: how will they be spaced between each other?

There is sufficient delay bet each .. 20-25 minutes to launch 83 nos.

Moreover I feel they may bundle a few together and launch these bundles and later those bundles will unfold.

Also GSLV MKIII is scheduled in Jan17!!

symontk · Post by **symontk** » 29 Oct 2016 16:23

prasannasimha wrote:If you release them with varying time they will stay apart.

As you deploy velocity also change and each of them will be in different orbit. same applies to individual deployment and batch also

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 01 Nov 2016 18:53

ISRO’s commitment to India’s national security - Vidya Sagar Reddy, The Space Review

India’s space capabilities helped its armed forces acquire actionable intelligence on the terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir that were destroyed during the recent surgical strikes by India’s military. After the strikes, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) highlighted, for the first time, its role in India’s national security. Its leadership declared that the organization will not be found lacking from securing the country’s national interests. Although security is an integral part of the country’s socio-economic development, ISRO previously held reservations against such declarations owing to the unstable political and diplomatic relationship of India with the West, particularly the United States. The changing perceptions of high-end technologies, due to the geopolitical and security circumstances of India, is the driving factor in this change.

The father of India’s space program, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, renounced such competition, stating space technology in this country should be meant for constructing a modern society with solid economic foundations. Accordingly, ISRO concentrated its resources on developing fleets of communications and remote sensing satellites, enabling telecommunications, weather forecasting, transportation, management and conservation of natural resources and natural disasters, urban planning, and more.

Owing to this idealistic perspective of high-end technologies, advanced spacefaring countries enthusiastically helped lay the foundations for India’s space program. Although the US and the Soviet Union were rivals in space, they contributed to India of space technology. India, for its part, dedicated the country’s first rocket launching station to the United Nations, reaffirming its support to the work of this international organization. India was one of the 18 members that formed an ad-hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space at the United Nations, which later became permanent. India firmly believes in peaceful uses of outer space and has thus denounced space weaponization. It is one of the leading voices in creating the Outer Space Treaty that banned testing and placing of weapons of mass destruction in outer space or on celestial bodies.

However, the changing regional geopolitics during the 1960s and 1970s kept India from perceiving high-end technologies as purely peaceful. India woke up to the reality of a nuclear China in 1964, with whom it fought a border war just two years earlier. Pakistan remained an irritant with wars erupting in 1965 and 1971, when India was militarily confronted simultaneously on four sides and the US and United Kingdom deploying warships in support of Pakistan. Meanwhile, Henry Kissinger succeeded in opening US-China diplomatic relations facilitated by Pakistan, which concluded as a strategic loss for India.

With its very survival at stake, India went nuclear in 1974 and initiated a guided missile development program in 1983. The missile program benefitted to an extent from the experience of satellite launch vehicle technology being developed at ISRO. As realism entered India’s foreign policy and national security calculus, so did the perception of critical technologies. Sanctions were imposed on ISRO in the aftermath of 1974 nuclear test.

In the 1990s, the US imposed Missile Technology Control Regime sanctions on both India and Russia when they negotiated a contract for India to receive cryogenic engine technology from Russia. Although India argued that this complex technology is inconsistent with the requirements of ballistic missile systems, the sanctions and subsequent nullification of the deal by Russia, giving in to US pressure, led to further deterioration of space cooperation between the US and India. These developments induced a sense of apathy in the political relations as well.

This situation began to change in 2001 when, barely three months after the 9/11 attacks, the Indian Parliament also came under terrorist attack. The sympathy towards each other as victims of terrorism and the desire to fight this global menace opened room for a political dialogue between the US and India. This led to further consolidation of political ties when both the countries began undertaking a series of reciprocal steps in three critical technology areas for building mutual trust and confidence. Civil space cooperation is one of these areas (other two being civil nuclear cooperation and high technology trade), leading to improved ties between the space communities on both sides.

Due to the sensitivity of these developments, India abstains from talking space technology in the context of national security. However, the political bonhomie between the two countries and common struggle against terrorism did create a diplomatic space for India to reverse this custom. In this context, ISRO played a decisive role for India’s security and publicly stated its commitment for the future.

The launch of Radar Imaging Satellite 2 (RISAT-2) in 2009 is perhaps India’s first national security satellite discussed in the public domain. This satellite uses synthetic aperture radar developed by an Israeli company for providing radar images with a resolution of one meter regardless of the time or weather conditions over an area of interest. India obtained this technology from Israel in exchange for launching an Israeli satellite with a similar payload in 2008. The technical specifications and orbital parameters of RISAT-2, coupled with the pace it was built and launched, shows India’s efforts at plugging security vulnerabilities of the country after the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

Now, India also possesses world-class optical imaging satellites launched under the Cartosat series. Cartosat-1, launched in 2005, has a resolution of 2.5 metres. With the technological advances in this series, the currently operational Cartosat satellites can provide scene-specific images with a resolution better than 60 centimeters, along with the capability to capture one-minute video of the designated areas. It was this capability that notably provided intelligence input to the armed forces planning the recent surgical strikes. The next-generation Cartosat series can provide images with a resolution better than 25 centimeters, enabling India to detect specific objects and movement of personnel on the ground. India is also planning GEO Imaging Satellite that will be placed in the geostationary orbit for acquiring near-real-time images of the entire Indian subcontinent and the Indian Ocean.

In addition to these earth observation satellites, ISRO has also built communications satellites for strategic purposes. GSAT 6, launched in 2015, features an antenna six meters in diameter to provide secure communications for a host of strategic end users. The Indian Navy acquired its first dedicated communications satellite, GSAT 7, in 2013, while the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army are also set to acquire such satellites in the near future.

These satellites simply provide sophisticated intelligence inputs for the decision-makers on the ground for crafting military operations, while striving to prevent the adversaries from eavesdropping on these plans. And, as ISRO has already noted, the discrimination between the good guys and the bad guys completely rests with the users on the ground. However, ISRO is no longer inhibited about highlighting the critical role it plays for securing India’s national interests and security.

Vidya Sagar Reddy is a research assistant in the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative of the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Nov 2016 04:26

Why America Needs India's Rockets

disha · Post by **disha** » 02 Nov 2016 05:27

Indranil wrote:Actually, I am with Varoon Shekhar ji on this. It does not reflect well on any organization if you miss your own self-published dates consistently. And it is not a ISRO only thing. It goes for HAL, ADA everybody. Give tentative timelines till you can give out a firm date. Once you give a firm date, stick to it. I love TASL for this. They are always ahead of schedule!

All will be forgiven once they launch a rocket successfully. Nobody will care about ISRO's dates - customers (and they are plenty - both domestic and international) will line up with cheque books to book their launch. In fact not just they will not bat an eye-lid on the "missed self-published dates" but they will come and congratulate ISRO.

It is perfectly okay in a hi-tec world - particularly space sciences - to miss your own self-published dates.

Note the investors in ISRO is the Indian public., and on a grand scale of things - the Indian public via its representative GOI will be more than happy to see a successful result. And no - it does not reflect anything on ISRO.

disha · Post by **disha** » 02 Nov 2016 05:29

nirav wrote: a poster above wants ISRO to communicate details as to why theres a delay.

Hmm, would you sir also like a ride on the GSLV ? Round maarenge aap ?

Agaein bhitayage ya piche bithayage?

disha · Post by **disha** » 02 Nov 2016 05:32

juvva wrote:^They announced the Dec 2016 date and reiterated it many times. If they are not able to meet the date, ISRO should at least communicate the reasons in some detail.

They never said December 2016. They have been consistently saying 4th quarter of 2016 (or rather read as the fourth quarter of 2016-17). I always thought that would be Feb-April 2017. But if it is December 2016 or January 2017., what goes my goat?

GShankar · Post by **GShankar** » 02 Nov 2016 05:42

In general all dates are "forward looking" only!

Dates for tasks like PSLV launches could be adhered to quite easily than those that involve more of R&D. Such has been the past and probably the near future too.

srin · Post by **srin** » 02 Nov 2016 07:01

Gerard wrote:Why America Needs India's Rockets

I look at this as an opportunity. We should move up the value chain and start offering end-to-end (incl satellite design and construction and maybe lease) launch services and grab the US satellite industry as well.

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 02 Nov 2016 20:41

srin wrote:
Gerard wrote:Why America Needs India's Rockets
I look at this as an opportunity. We should move up the value chain and start offering end-to-end (incl satellite design and construction and maybe lease) launch services and grab the US satellite industry as well.

ISRO doesn't have adequate capacity to build and launch given the shortage of transponders. They're trying to augment it by involving private players, but it will take time.

akashganga · Post by **akashganga** » 04 Nov 2016 04:57

http://indianexpress.com/article/techno ... k-3735982/

Quote:

Petranek says while the Indian space program currently is like a “smaller NASA”, he would not be surprised to see private industry in India become a big player in the space program and exploration given the expertise and capital in India. By getting an important satellite to Mars, India has shown that it has the technology that even the Russians have not been successful at, he says.
“Russians have not been that successful. They have launched 17 satellite to Mars, most have crashed. We are going to see countries like Japan, Australia, Brazil all developing a bigger and better space program and we are going to see a lot of that move into the private industry. “I would not be surprised to see a private space company in India grow and develop given the potential space exploration has in future.”

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 08 Nov 2016 18:47

Awful editing- confuses different vehicles and launch dates! The SAARC satellite is going up in March, on the GSLV Mark 3, which the article says is scheduled for December! The Saarc satellite is almost certainly being launched by a PSLV mission, not the GSLV Mark 3! Is there some remote chance that the GSLV Mk 3 would launch 2 satellites on its first mission, the GSAT-19E, and the SAARC sat? Very unlikely- what type of satellite is the SAARC, what orbit would it be placed in? The Hindu is usually good on these matters!

SAARC satellite to be launched in March: ISRO

India’s ambitious South Asian satellite, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the benefit of SAARC members, will be launched in March next year, ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said on Tuesday.

The satellite was originally scheduled for launch in December this year.

“SAARC satellite will be launched in March,” he told presspersons on the sidelines of a function here.

Modi, during the SAARC summit in Nepal in November 2014, had announced launching a SAARC satellite as a gift for the benefit of members of the regional grouping in various fields, including telecommunications and tele-medicine.

Since Pakistan has ‘opted out’ of the project, it is now being called South Asian satellite.

India had held deliberations with experts from other SAARC countries to finalise modalities for the satellite exclusively for the regional grouping.

The satellite would be launched on the GSLV Mark III, the ISRO Chairman said and preparations were on in “full swing.”

“We have started the assembly for the launch in Sriharikota. So we are working towards making it happen as early as possible and are targeting a launch by December-end.” The rocket programme is crucial for ISRO as it would help the country launch satellites weighing around four tonnes.

To a question about plans to improve manpower and infrastructure facilities, he said. “We need to do more work means we need to have more hands.: On the third launch pad, the ISRO chief said it was necessary to make sure that the existing facility was being fully utilised.

Earlier, he addressed around 1,000 sportspersons drawn from 14 ISRO centres who are participating in the inter-centre sports meet, saying such activities helped to break barriers and reinvigorate mentally and physically, besides improving team work.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Director Dr K Sivan was also present.

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 14 Nov 2016 15:41

Indigenous Bus Bar Development for GSAT-19

ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bengaluru has developed a satellite Bus Bar indigenously along with Indian industry. The Bus Bar makes the successful power distribution in high power satellites with minimum power loss and good thermal performance. This is one of the requirements for the realisation of High Throughput Satellites (HTS), with more than 50 transponders per satellite, where power requirement is greater than 10 kW. Conventional harness for power distribution with twisted pair of wires cannot meet the low power and voltage drop specifications. Therefore, it is prudent to have an efficient and optimised power distribution system. Usage of Bus Bar in place of conventional power harness is noted to be an appropriate option. The main advantages are power and voltage drop reduction, better thermal design, and reduced Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) compared to wire harnesses.

The development of indigenous materials and processes associated with the Bus Bar also have paved the way for spin-off applications in other subsystems and utilisation for future satellite programme. In addition, the indigenous development has derived the benefits of technology demonstration, technical expertise gain, in-house realisation with adaptable and scalable designs for future application and saving of considerable foreign exchange. Development of insulation materials such as Poly Aryl Ether Ketone (PAEK), 3D printed Ultem and processes such as Micro Arc Oxidation and Epoxy Insulation coating are the new areas proven for space application while evolving this Bus Bar.

The development, realisation and validation of first flight worthy indigenous Bus Bar is accomplished in GSAT-19 spacecraft. However, the specification of the Bus Bar is rated for handling power requirements of 100 A @70 V of HTS. The development of indigenous Bus Bar is multi-disciplinary activity.

The Bus Bar for GSAT-19 spacecraft is configured as 2xI type Bus Bar mounted on the equipment panel of the spacecraft as depicted in the Figures. The two 'I' bars are named live and return bars form the +70V and 0V potentials respectively. The assembly of Bus Bar measures about 54mm x 58mm x700 mm length and weighs about 1.3 kg. The live and return bars are separated by a rigid insulating fixation and four flexible insulating fixations spaced along the length of the bars. The raw bus power is carried on these two 'I' bars vertically separated with a gap allowing space for installation of connectors. The basic conducting material used is Al 6061 alloy having a cross-section dimension of 23 mm x 3 mm, specified for 100 A in vacuum with tolerable temperature rise.

The Bus Bar and its associated components are realised in-house at ISAC Mechanical Fabrication Facilities. Followed this, the Bus Bar is silver plated (12 ± 4 micron thickness) at connector locations for solderability. Subsequently, a Micro Arc Oxidation (MAO) coating of 100±20 micron thickness was performed as a first layer of insulation at Advanced Material Processing Lab. After that, a second layer of Epoxy coating (250 ± 50 micron thickness) is applied. MAO and Epoxy coating ensure a double layer of insulation all over the Bus Bars. Eight numbers of standard high power connectors each having eight contacts are used for connecting Bus Bars to different subsystems like Battery Discharge Regulator (BDR) package, Shunt Regulator, various loads like Core Power Electronics and Fuse Distribution Modules. High power connectors are soldered at Central Electronic Fabrication Facility using SN62 solder containing silver, followed by conformal coating and potting with RTV 3145 compound on exposed connector pins for double layer insulation. Every process, material and fabrication sequences are qualified for space environment by Reliability and Quality Assurance team.

The integrated Bus Bar assembly is successfully tested and qualified for a matrix of validation tests such as:

space qualification testing of all materials and processes,
electrical characterisation for high power performance (high current 150 A and high voltage 140V),
mechanical characterisation tests such as friction tests, curvature tests, and break load tests, etc.,
environmental tests like thermal vacuum test, vibration test, shock test, etc.
The development of indigenous Bus Bar meets the requirements of ongoing programmes and ensures the adaptability for forthcoming high power spacecraft programme of ISRO. Further, ongoing developments of the Bus Bar at the anvil of ISAC include characterisation and implementation of L-Junction for Multiple Bus Bar connection, flexible braids for inter panel connections, validation using straight pin connectors, etc.

The indigenous Bus Bar is replacing conventional harness to cater to the high power requirements of HTS Class of Satellites. The potential of Indian industry is utilised to realise Bus Bars at a remarkably competitive cost. For the first time, indigenous Bus Bars will be carried by GSAT-19 which is scheduled to be launched by GSLV-Mk III from SDSC, SHAR, Sriharikota.

Rishi Verma · Post by **Rishi Verma** » 14 Nov 2016 16:40

JTull wrote:Indigenous Bus Bar Development for GSAT-19

ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bengaluru has developed a satellite Bus Bar indigenously along with Indian industry. The Bus Bar makes the successful power distribution in high power satellites with minimum power loss and good thermal performance. This is one of the requirements for the realisation of High Throughput Satellites (HTS), with more than 50 transponders per satellite, where power requirement is greater than 10 kW. Conventional harness for power distribution with twisted pair of wires cannot meet the low power and voltage drop specifications. Therefore, it is prudent to have an efficient and optimised power distribution system. Usage of Bus Bar in place of conventional power harness is noted to be an appropriate option. The main advantages are power and voltage drop reduction, better thermal design, and reduced Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) compared to wire harnesses.

The development of indigenous materials and processes associated with the Bus Bar also have paved the way for spin-off applications in other subsystems and utilisation for future satellite programme. In addition, the indigenous development has derived the benefits of technology demonstration, technical expertise gain, in-house realisation with adaptable and scalable designs for future application and saving of considerable foreign exchange. Development of insulation materials such as Poly Aryl Ether Ketone (PAEK), 3D printed Ultem and processes such as Micro Arc Oxidation and Epoxy Insulation coating are the new areas proven for space application while evolving this Bus Bar.

The development, realisation and validation of first flight worthy indigenous Bus Bar is accomplished in GSAT-19 spacecraft. However, the specification of the Bus Bar is rated for handling power requirements of 100 A @70 V of HTS. The development of indigenous Bus Bar is multi-disciplinary activity.

The Bus Bar for GSAT-19 spacecraft is configured as 2xI type Bus Bar mounted on the equipment panel of the spacecraft as depicted in the Figures. The two 'I' bars are named live and return bars form the +70V and 0V potentials respectively. The assembly of Bus Bar measures about 54mm x 58mm x700 mm length and weighs about 1.3 kg. The live and return bars are separated by a rigid insulating fixation and four flexible insulating fixations spaced along the length of the bars. The raw bus power is carried on these two 'I' bars vertically separated with a gap allowing space for installation of connectors. The basic conducting material used is Al 6061 alloy having a cross-section dimension of 23 mm x 3 mm, specified for 100 A in vacuum with tolerable temperature rise.

The Bus Bar and its associated components are realised in-house at ISAC Mechanical Fabrication Facilities. Followed this, the Bus Bar is silver plated (12 ± 4 micron thickness) at connector locations for solderability. Subsequently, a Micro Arc Oxidation (MAO) coating of 100±20 micron thickness was performed as a first layer of insulation at Advanced Material Processing Lab. After that, a second layer of Epoxy coating (250 ± 50 micron thickness) is applied. MAO and Epoxy coating ensure a double layer of insulation all over the Bus Bars. Eight numbers of standard high power connectors each having eight contacts are used for connecting Bus Bars to different subsystems like Battery Discharge Regulator (BDR) package, Shunt Regulator, various loads like Core Power Electronics and Fuse Distribution Modules. High power connectors are soldered at Central Electronic Fabrication Facility using SN62 solder containing silver, followed by conformal coating and potting with RTV 3145 compound on exposed connector pins for double layer insulation. Every process, material and fabrication sequences are qualified for space environment by Reliability and Quality Assurance team.

The integrated Bus Bar assembly is successfully tested and qualified for a matrix of validation tests such as:

space qualification testing of all materials and processes,
electrical characterisation for high power performance (high current 150 A and high voltage 140V),
mechanical characterisation tests such as friction tests, curvature tests, and break load tests, etc.,
environmental tests like thermal vacuum test, vibration test, shock test, etc.
The development of indigenous Bus Bar meets the requirements of ongoing programmes and ensures the adaptability for forthcoming high power spacecraft programme of ISRO. Further, ongoing developments of the Bus Bar at the anvil of ISAC include characterisation and implementation of L-Junction for Multiple Bus Bar connection, flexible braids for inter panel connections, validation using straight pin connectors, etc.

The indigenous Bus Bar is replacing conventional harness to cater to the high power requirements of HTS Class of Satellites. The potential of Indian industry is utilised to realise Bus Bars at a remarkably competitive cost. For the first time, indigenous Bus Bars will be carried by GSAT-19 which is scheduled to be launched by GSLV-Mk III from SDSC, SHAR, Sriharikota.

100A@70V power distribution is impressive and deserves a big kudos. But I have a gripe with the write-up (not the hardware).

First it's like a press release sort of thing to put on a website thinking big boss (NaMo who handles space portfolio) will be impressed.

Too many techno buzz words from 1940s fill the write-up which is not needed and seems to be added liberally by some semi-techno baboo.

"Multi-disciplinary" implying electrical guys working with mechanical guys

"SN62 solder containing silver" wtf it's plain brochuritis, it's like me saying "I made laddu decorated with foil containing silver ", All I did was bought it from kirana and put it on Laddu. it will impress someone who doesn't know, but otherwise very common and nothing unusual..

"Shunt-regulator", again sounds impressive but useless brochuritis and could be plain wrong, high current regulators are "series regulators", "shunt" topology is for voltage references.. But it's just an example of filling with jargon that may impress a lay person but in fact it's fluff

"conformal coating plus RTV1345" again standard practice, techie-jargon added to impress school children

Again impressive hardware but fluffy write-up. It should not be on website.. then again I have seen worse, they all do it NAL, HAL, etc etc etc

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 22 Nov 2016 18:33

Very readable and informative article about ISTRAC. Question: how much of the equipment mentioned in the article is Indian made? If it's not specifically referred to as Indian produced, like the 32m antenna at DSN, or a couple of radars mentioned, can we assume that the equipment is imported?

http://www.isro.gov.in/isro-telemetry-t ... -ruby-year

ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) was established on September 06, 1976 for facilitating to-and-fro communication conduit for launch vehicles and satellites of ISRO, in addition to carrying out satellite mission operations. Since then, its growth is in tune with the developments around the world. ISTRAC made a humble beginning from TERLS to support RH-series missions in 1970 and Aryabhata in 1975 through P/VHF bands from SHAR. Today, ISTRAC has emerged as a world class ground support provider, having a state-of-the-art TTC Network, Deep Space Network (DSN), TTC Network Control Centre, Mission Operations Comple...

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 23 Nov 2016 15:12

Question: how much of the equipment mentioned in the article is Indian made?

Early 70s the development was based on basic components ( Transistors etc. ). India did not have doping facilities so these components were imported and rest ( Basic R L C components, PCBs etc ) were india bred.

Later some sub-assemblies ( e.g. Local Oscillators etc ) were imported and units assembled using remaining indigenous products.

Presently due to complexity ( high data rates/ encoding processes etc ) it is economical to import units and do the in-house systeming. Still now a days emphasis is more towards developing Indian vendor base who produce equipment based on ISRO design.