Indian Space Program Discussion

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 12 Oct 2011 17:28

Can anyone confirm that the satellites were placed in 4 different orbits, as opposed to just one orbit. One site states that "Jugnu" was sent into the same orbit as Mega-trophiques. Someone earlier mentioned 4 different orbits.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 12 Oct 2011 17:33

Varoon Shekhar wrote:Can anyone confirm that the satellites were placed in 4 different orbits, as opposed to just one orbit. One site states that "Jugnu" was sent into the same orbit as Mega-trophiques. Someone earlier mentioned 4 different orbits.

All are in Polar orbit. PSLV = polar Satellite Launch vehicle. If used to reach geo stationery or LEO, they will specify.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 12 Oct 2011 17:39

Congratulations ISRO. I liked the stereo effect on the launch video. The CNES guy's gestures and facial expressions were funny.

juvva · Post by **juvva** » 12 Oct 2011 17:57

I enjoyed the launch video, without the chatter from the commentators.It is a great relief to be able to hear the call outs from the controllers so clearly.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 12 Oct 2011 17:59

nice.. and all white shirt and coats!

prithvi · Post by **prithvi** » 12 Oct 2011 18:04

chackojoseph wrote:
Varoon Shekhar wrote:Can anyone confirm that the satellites were placed in 4 different orbits, as opposed to just one orbit. One site states that "Jugnu" was sent into the same orbit as Mega-trophiques. Someone earlier mentioned 4 different orbits.
All are in Polar orbit. PSLV = polar Satellite Launch vehicle. If used to reach geo stationery or LEO, they will specify.

PSLV-C18 will inject Megha-Tropiques satellite into an orbit of 867 km altitude at an inclination of 20 deg with respect to equator. PSLV will also inject SRMSat from SRM University, Chennai, JUGNU from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and Vesselsat-1 from Luxembourg.....ISRO site

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 12 Oct 2011 18:13

juvva wrote:It is a great relief to be able to hear the call outs from the controllers so clearly.

Especially the call that PS 4 engine health all ok. The seconds between they said that the it ignited and till they announced the health was ok, it was tension time. The correct ejection was then a foregone conclusion. By the time the grin could stretch up to my ears, mega tropics was already ejected. I cared less about the other sats, but there was a sense of satisfaction when the Nano sat was ejected finally.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 12 Oct 2011 18:30

"This launch is wurth watching because of the diverse mix of orbits in a single launch:

Megha ... 866kms ht /20 deg incl
AISSAT ... 680kms / 98 ??
SRMSAT .. 500 to 850 kms / ???
Jugnu ... 760 kms / 98??"

Is this info inaccurate i.e 4 different orbits? So they are all in the same orbit?

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 12 Oct 2011 18:59

Dr K Radhakrishnan, chairman, ISRO, declared the launch a grand success. “The PSLV-C18 has beena grand success. We put all the four satellites precisely into the pre-determined orbits,” he announcedimmediately after the launch vehicle was blasted off from the Satish Dhavan Space Centre, Sriharikotta, India’s gateway to the space.

Hiten · Post by **Hiten** » 12 Oct 2011 19:15

if anybody wants to watch the launch on YouTube. Added the 1st, 2nd & 3rd stage integration at the end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSr7Wh1K96I

the presentation about Megha-Tropiques

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqOXbAKRJ08

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 12 Oct 2011 19:17

S^3, Any data on the tolerances on apogee and inclination? Yes 54 secs is something to think about. maybe the brochure was notional and actuals are based on burn characteristics/pour mix of the actual motors.

Thanks in advance. ramana

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 12 Oct 2011 20:53

when s3 said over-performed, I was thinking optimum burn, and increased time.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 12 Oct 2011 20:57

Vesselsat is Equtorial orbit.
http://www.orbcomm.com/Collateral/Docum ... selSat.pdf

By tomorrow may be we will have clarity on all orbits.

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 12 Oct 2011 22:01

A good summary of India's satellites in space. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ind ... 531805.ece

Chennai, October 13:

Judging by the way the space guys have been spraying satellites in the skies, it may not too distant a date when these plastic-metal birds are there in enough numbers to keep the sunlight out—or so it seems.

There are about 3,000 satellites out there and India’s contribution to this has not been humble.

Here are some statistics about India’s satellites:

Starting from ‘Aryabhata’ in 1975 and counting the four today, India has dropped in space 92 satellites, including those launched for India by other countries.

27 of them are satellites of by other countries, the other 65 are Indian-owned, including one purchased ‘in orbit’ in 1998.

23 of the 65 were launched by Russian, European and American space agencies, with their rockets. But only 7 of the 23 were launched by others since 2000.

25 of the 65 Indian-owned are still in service.

The heaviest of India’s satellites is the INSAT-4A, launched by Ariane of Europe in 2005. The 3,080 kg satellite is still in service.

The heaviest satellite launched from Indian soil is the 2,140 kg INSAT-4CR, which was put in space by the GSLV-FO4 rocket, in September 2007. The rocket featured a Russian-made cryogenic engine. The satellite is in service.

The heaviest lift-off from India was that of the 2,310 kg GSAT-5P, but it did not reach orbit. It was launched by the completely indigenous GSLV-FO6 in December 2010.

The heaviest to be launched by a completely indigenous vehicle is the Cartosat-1, 1,560 kg, put in orbit by PSLV-C6 in May 2005. The satellite is still in service.

Italy’s Agile, which weighs 350 kg, is the heaviest foreign satellite to be launched by India. It was a co-passenger in PSLV-C10 of April 2007.

The Indian satellite that has gone farthest in terms of distance, is of course the Chandrayaan-1, the 1,380 kg moon-spy satellite, which was launched by PSLV-C11 in October 2008.

ISRO has a busy schedule ahead and these records will no doubt be broken. When the GSLV system is perfected, India will launch bigger and heavier satellites.

Let the GSLV Mark-III come—it is expected to get into service, if all goes right, by the end of 2013 or thereabouts. The powerful rocket will not launch up even heavier rockets—it will launch India into the big-league of space specialist countries.

An estimate, quoted in a speech by Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin puts the global space industry at $ 200 billion. The satellite launch business is estimated to be 15 per cent of the overall space business.

This in mind, ISRO is looking to building another Sriharikota-like satellite launch station, which will cost, according to ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan, “not less than Rs 1,000 crore”.

KrishG · Post by **KrishG** » 12 Oct 2011 23:36

SSSalvi wrote:Incidentally, The earlier stages appear to have overperformed slightly and the 4th stage ignition was @ about T+1100 sec instead of planned T+1154.

The launch is totally self controlled automation loop.. still 54 seconds is a very big difference.
Is it possible that the system found conditions for PS4 ignition much earlier than earlier programmed time or is the pre-launch brochure only an indicative document?

Even PS2 was ignited about T+105 .. instead of T+116 ( This time the sky was clear so you can ACTUALLY notice the PS2 ignition .. observe it carefully after 00:01:41 on video screen .. one can notice the change in smoke pattern from vehicle .. awsome )

The ignition time of PS4 is variable and depends of flight profile and other factors. Also, one cannot expect the flight to perfectly follow the predefined path and there will be slight variations depending on a multitude of factors. AFAIK there is actually no strict programmed time especially for upper stages, it depends on the vehicle's achieved altitude, speed etc.

About the PS2, I think that it is actually the PS1 burning out rather than PS2 igniting. The PS1 has a burn time of around 100 seconds. The graph in the video clearly shows that PS2 was ignited at around T+117.

Sabyasachi · Post by **Sabyasachi** » 13 Oct 2011 04:55

PSLV launch was delayed by a minute to avoid collision with space debris.

SriKumar · Post by **SriKumar** » 13 Oct 2011 05:53

juvva wrote:I enjoyed the launch video, without the chatter from the commentators.It is a great relief to be able to hear the call outs from the controllers so clearly.

Agreed. Not having the usual inane commentary was an improvement. SDRE accent can be heard in full flow....

vasu_ray · Post by **vasu_ray** » 13 Oct 2011 07:24

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 334153.cms

Is it that the PSLV-XL version is also not sufficient for the waiting milsats that they need the GSLV?

and then there was talk of the PSLV-HP

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 13 Oct 2011 08:20

PSLV puts 4 satellites in orbit - T.S. Subramanian in The Hindu

Megha-Tropiques went into orbit at an altitude of 865 km against the targeted 867 km.

Megha-Tropiques will study global tropical weather: Roddam Narasimha

Dr. Narasimha, who along with the former ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan, conceived the idea of building a satellite for specifically studying the global tropical weather, said that half of the land area in the world was in the tropics. The tropical region was a place where the skill in predicting the convective systems, humidity, water vapour and precipitation was of importance. Predicting the monsoons was a major problem in India, he said. Tropics radiated surplus energy received from the sun and this excess energy was transferred from the tropics to higher latitudes.

“The Megha-Tropiques promises to give us very special data,” said Dr. Narasimha, who was former Director, National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore. “It will provide simultaneous data on humidity, rainfall, water vapour, temperature etc.. in the tropical regions in real time.” This was the second satellite to study the global tropical weather after a satellite built jointly by the U.S. and Japan in 1997. He described the MADRAS (Microwave Imager for Detection of Rain and Atmospheric Structures) payload on board the Megha-Tropiques as “a livewire” instrument.

Upendra · Post by **Upendra** » 13 Oct 2011 08:27

PSLV-C18 successfully launches 4 satellites

Sriharikota: India's most trusted satellite launch vehicle, the PSLV on Wednesday successfully launched into orbit four satellites, including the Indo-French tropical weather satellite Megha-Tropiques.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle - C18 (PSLV-C18) blasted off from the Sriharikota spaceport here at 11.00 am.

The rocket placed into orbit the 1,000-kg Megha Tropiques and three smaller satellites together weighing 42.6 kg.

Megha Tropiques is an Indo-French collaboration to study climatic and atmospheric changes in tropical regions and will make India the second nation in the world to launch such a space mission.

The satellite will look down at the earth from around 867 km low earth orbit and will enable the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to forecast weather in a more precise manner.

The three nano satellites that were also successfully placed into orbit by the PSLV are the 10.9-kg SRMSAT built by the students of SRM University near Chennai, the three-kg remote sensing satellite Jugnu from the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, and the 28.7-kg VesselSat from Luxembourg to locate ships on high seas.

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV rocket scored past the half-century mark by launching the Megha-Tropiques and other satellites.

With a rich orange flame at its tail, the PSLV-C18 rocket - standing 44 metres and weighing 230 tonnes - left behind a huge tail of white fumes as it ascended towards the blue sky amid resounding cheers of ISRO scientists and media team assembled at the launch centre.

People perched atop the nearby buildings happily clapped as PSLV-C18 -- the rocket's core alone variant -- without its six strap-on booster motors went up.

Megha-Tropiques with its circular orbit inclined 20 degree to the equator will enable climate research and also aid scientists seeking to refine prediction models.

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) -- a joint mission of NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) designed to monitor and study tropical rainfall --was launched on November 27, 1997.

The French space agency, Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), has built three instruments of Megha-Tropiques: SAPHIR, SCARAB and GPS-ROS. The fourth, MADRAS, is a joint effort of ISRO and CNES.

Around 22 minutes into the flight the rocket first spat out Megha-Tropiques and followed it up with SRMSAT, VesselSat and Jugnu.

The whole process got completed in 25 minutes from blast-off. ISRO, with its network of ground stations, monitored its health.

The Rs 1.1 crore SRMSAT using a grating spectrometer will monitor greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and water vapour in the atmosphere.

The Jugnu satellite is intended to prove the indigenously developed camera system for imaging the earth in the near infrared region and test image processing algorithms, evaluate global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver for its use in satellite navigation.

VesselSat will be used to detect ships at sea automatically from the signals they emit in the regions covered by it. The satellite carries two signal receivers called Automatic Identification System for ships (AIS).

The PSLV rocket has now launched successfully 52 satellites out of 53 it carried - majorly remote sensing/earth observation satellites both Indian and foreign - and has been a major revenue earner for ISRO.

The one failure happened in 1993 when the satellite was not able to reach orbit.

This is the third successful rocket launch for ISRO this year from India. In April, the agency successfully launched remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2 and two others. In July, communication satellite GSAT-12 was put in orbit.

The PSLV is a four stage (engine) rocket powered by solid and liquid propellants alternatively. The first and third stages are fired by solid propellant and the second and fourth stages are fired by liquid propellant.

ISRO has developed three PSLV variants. The first is the standard variant weighing around 290 tonnes with six strap-on motors measuring 11.3 metres with a fuel capacity of nine tonnes.

The other two rocket variants are the PSLV Core Alone without the six strap-on motors and PSLV-XL with longer strap-on motors measuring 13.5 metres having a fuel capacity of 12 tonnes of solid fuel.

PSLV-C18 carrying weather satellite launched

SRIHARIKOTA (ANDHRA PRADESH): PSLV-C18, the Indian rocket carrying the Indo-French tropical weather satellite Megha-Tropiques and three other smaller satellites on Wednesday blasted off from the first launch pad at the space port here.

It was a bright sunny morning as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C18 (PSLV-C18) standing 44 metres tall and weighing 230 tonnes soared towards the heavens, ferrying the four satellites together weighing 1,042.6 kg, around 11am.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists at the rocket's mission control room are watching the PSLV-C18's progress. The Sriharikota space port is around 80 km from Chennai.

The PSLV rocket will cross the 50 satellite launch milestone since 1993 if the mission turns successful.

Heaviest amongst the PSLV-C18's luggage is the 1,000 kg Megha-Tropiques satellite - a result of Indo-French collaboration - designed to study the water cycle and energy exchanges in the tropics.

The satellite will provide scientific data on contribution of the water cycle to the tropical atmosphere with information on condensed water in clouds, water vapour in the atmosphere, precipitation and evaporation.

According to ISRO, Megha-Tropiques with its circular orbit inclined 20 degree to the equator will enable climate research and also aid scientists seeking to refine weather prediction models.

India is the second nation in the world to launch such a space mission.

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) -- a joint mission of NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) designed to monitor and study tropical rainfall --was launched Nov 27, 1997.

The French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) has built three instruments of Megha-Tropiques: SAPHIR, SCARAB and GPS-ROS. The fourth, MADRAS, is a joint effort of ISRO and CNES.

The three smaller satellites carried by the PSLV-C18 are the 10.9 kg SRMSAT built by the students of SRM University near Chennai, the three kg remote sensing satellite Jugnu from the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur and the 28.7 kg VesselSat from LuxSpace of Luxembourg to locate ships on high seas.

Congrats to ISRO, great work by all the scientists, technicians involved in this launch. Manufacturers involved in the construction of the satellite and space vehicle have once again proved their strong reliability.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 13 Oct 2011 09:40

vasu_ray wrote:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 334153.cms

Is it that the PSLV-XL version is also not sufficient for the waiting milsats that they need the GSLV?

and then there was talk of the PSLV-HP

Is this guy for real? So much vitriol for Indian military is he the right person to report on the military? All I see is sarcasm and innuendo. I think its better for him if he move abroad.

Total RNI.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 13 Oct 2011 12:07

Meghatropique Orbit is shown below.

Input Details for generating other satellites tracks is awaited.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Oct 2011 12:29

India Plans Next GSLV Launch In 2012

Still recovering from repeated failures of its heavy-lift Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) in 2010, the Indian Space Research Organization is eyeing the next flight of the vehicle in 2012.

“We have a major task ahead of us ... [the] development and perfection of [the] indigenous cryogenic stage,” ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan says. “We are making good progress and we plan to have the next flight of GSLV ... in the second quarter of 2012.”

ISRO also plans to have two more Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) missions before launching the GSLV. On Oct. 12, ISRO successfully launched its PSLV-C18 rocket carrying four satellites, including the Indo-French collaborative weather satellite Megha-Tropiques.

In December 2010, the homegrown GSLV-F06 vehicle was destroyed by its flight termination system when it veered off course less than a minute after liftoff. The GSAT-5P communications satellite, carrying 24 C-band and 12 extended C-band transponders, plunged into the Bay of Bengal. Before that, the GSLV-D3 mission carrying GSAT-4 failed in April 2010.

Now under development, GSLV-MK III is designed to make India fully self-reliant in launching heavier communication satellites weighing 4,500-5,000 kg (9,900-11,000 lb.), boosting its status as a key player in the global commercial launch market. According to a senior ISRO official, GSLV-MK III is being designed to place a 4-ton-class satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit.

S. Ramakrishnan, director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Center, says the agency has identified the issues with the GSLV upper-stage engine. “We have studied the design of booster pumps and redesigned it. The computer simulation was done and validated. One more long-duration test of the cryogenic engine will be made by the end of this month,” he says.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 13 Oct 2011 14:04

Latest(!) news on ISRO website ( even after inclusion launch video ):

Countdown commenced for PSLV-C18 / Megha-Tropiques Mission

abhishek-nayak · Post by **abhishek-nayak** » 13 Oct 2011 14:34

why doesn't our govt and isro use joomla or drupal CMS , easy to run and easy to maintain.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 13 Oct 2011 15:57

Information may be the strong point of an India PSU, but technology is not!

For the kind of work ISRO does, they should certainly hire some professionals to design/maintain their websites. Repeatedly we get the argument that India has the money, then why not show it? Any mid-sized IT company would be happy to develop a professional looking website and maintain it - if it is give some tax breaks and concessions.

Nothing more satisfying than serving your country.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 13 Oct 2011 18:01

"ISRO also plans to have two more Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) missions before launching the GSLV"

Any progress report on the RISAT-1 launch. Is it really going up in December? Eagerly awaiting this one! It would be a technological breakthrough, if successful.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 14 Oct 2011 04:23

S^3, The IITKanpur design and fabrication of nano satellite "Jugnu" is an awesome achievement. They even fabricated their own release system.

I am sure this will inspire more students to aspire and aim high.

Can you setup a thread with links to orbital mechanics and satellite systems so interested people can learn?

Thanks, ramana

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 14 Oct 2011 09:16

^^^

Yes Ramana,

Actually I am presently working on that for my eductional blog. Will also set up here a similar thing shortly because the audience here is surely more and varied in interests so it will be more useful. This will be useful for those enthusiasts who want to receive signals etc and the same place may be used by the students/team members who have made those satellites ( Jugnu and SRMSat ).

By the way just now obtained details of all the satellites from C18 launch. Rightnow all are more or less in the same orbit so have not posted graphics as they are similar to the one posted previously.

Whenever a quantum leap in graphic is there will post here.

If anyone wants to do any work, here are the TLEs for objects in the order they were released. ( they have yet to be officially designated with respective names ).

The fifth item is the last stage of rocket.

2011-058A
1 37838U 11058A 11285.77140838 .00000274 00000-0 00000-0 0 38
2 37838 19.7947 62.7084 0060638 17.8079 342.4581 14.20667920 48
2011-058B
1 37839U 11058B 11285.77528725 .00000264 00000-0 00000+0 0 21
2 37839 19.9805 63.0497 0013045 346.8872 13.2366 14.10339799 89
2011-058C
1 37840U 11058C 11286.05288194 .00000264 00000-0 00000+0 0 28
2 37840 19.9665 61.3705 0013905 353.3566 339.8084 14.10539825 127
2011-058D
1 37841U 11058D 11285.77537062 .00000264 00000-0 00000+0 0 28
2 37841 19.9743 63.0392 0012167 345.0078 15.0473 14.10074916 86
2011-058E
1 37842U 11058E 11286.76405710 .00000265 00000-0 00000+0 0 24
2 37842 19.9634 57.0416 0019429 18.7919 341.3216 14.11971065 231

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 14 Oct 2011 20:59

Thanks, Hope we can exchange ideas on what to cover in it. We hav emany space enthusiast but they dont knwo the terminology nor where to get it. For instance those two line six element orbital parameters that you posted, if you could give the decoder so folks undertand how much info is there in those two lines!

Also plese cover what environments space intruments have to operate in, what are the reliability challenges for mechanical gizmos like release mechanisms.

I would like you to trigger the big ideas for new instruments that people can dream up. Power budget and how to power it up?

Who knows one fine day some uty group will name their nano-satellite S^3 due to your inspiration and guidance.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 15 Oct 2011 08:00

Satellite in good health

The Megha-Tropiques satellite, put in orbit by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C18) on October 12, is in good health and its four scientific instruments have been energised.

Three co-passenger satellites, the SRMSat from the SRM University, near Chennai, the Jugnu from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and the Vesselsat-1 from Luxembourg were put in orbit by the PSLV-C18. The user-institutions have confirmed establishing contact with their satellites.

“It has been confirmed that the satellite [Megha-Tropiques] has been placed precisely in its intended circular orbit,” the release added. While perigee in the targeted orbit was 865 km above the earth and the apogee 867 km, the perigee achieved was 864 km and the apogee 865 km. The inclination achieved was 19.99 degrees to the equator against the targeted inclination was 20 degrees.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 15 Oct 2011 08:37

A Megha Bonanza - Editorial in The Hindu
Excerpts

The ageing U.S.-Japanese Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), launched in 1997 and still operational, has provided a bonanza of information. There are high expectations from Megha-Tropiques, which will concentrate even more on the tropics and provide greater coverage of the region.

This satellite will measure the flow of energy and the build-up of water vapour at different levels in the atmosphere, both critical factors in the evolution of large cloud systems. By deciphering the complex linkages between land, ocean, and atmosphere, it will be possible to greatly improve weather and climate models, making for better monsoon prediction. It should also provide vital clues for determining whether a warming climate could lead to more rain or less. And the benefits will not be restricted to India. That the 21 science teams formed for the mission have drawn scientists from 11 countries is a testament to its global importance.

In the meantime, another Indo-French satellite, SARAL, which will study the oceans, is being prepared for launch next year.

member_20014 · Post by **member_20014** » 15 Oct 2011 14:56

The order of release is as follows

1. Megha Tropiques
2. SRMSAT
3. VesselSAT
4. Jugnu

--
Vishal L B
SRMSAT

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 15 Oct 2011 15:06

^^
Hello SRMSAT team, Welcome to BRF.

Just a curiosity. What was the planned inclination/height/coverage pattern of SRMSAT?

Also .. do you know any JUGNU team member?

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 15 Oct 2011 18:33

2 tflop/$10K/scientist is a vision indeed. They should be linked via fiber optics, and each of them could remote into a peta-flop-network grid computing.

hail vssc! that was a nice article on nvdia gpu. GPU sounds very exciting.. we can't sleep anymore to be in the top 5, from where we are now.

csaurabh · Post by **csaurabh** » 15 Oct 2011 18:55

SSSalvi wrote: Also .. do you know any JUGNU team member?

I am a former Jugnu team member, I worked on it for about a year, during the starting phase.
Would be glad to answer any questions, I am still in contact with Jugnu team.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 15 Oct 2011 21:35

Have them post an synopsis of thier project and give us an idea of what it is to work on a sat design project. They have had an experience scientists all over would die for.

SSSalvi · Post by **SSSalvi** » 16 Oct 2011 16:13

A new thread on general subject of Satellite Communications has been started.

http://forums.bharat-rakshak.com/viewto ... f=2&t=6156

sourab_c · Post by **sourab_c** » 17 Oct 2011 02:29

Interesting piece of news:

Did Canada punish Russia for 2008 Georgia invasion by moving satellite?

MONTREAL - Canada attempted to sanction Russia for its 2008 invasion of Georgia by switching to India for the launch of SAPPHIRE, this country's first military satellite, a top military expert says.

SAPPHIRE is now scheduled to be launched in early 2012 — from several thousand kilometres away.
The cable also says the Canadian official wanted to know if the U.S., "intends to broaden its bilateral safeguards to permit satellite launches from India."

The DFAIT adviser pointed out that India had not signed the international Non-Proliferation Treaty limiting the spread of nuclear weapons.

Baines was doing his job and raising a warning flag to Canada's most powerful, closest ally, Fergusson says.
"We're turning to India to launch a military satellite (and) this may look like an inconsistency in policy," he said.

The political-studies professor says the United States was also thinking about its own strategic relationship with India because military satellites wind up operating within the American space surveillance network.

Kevin Shortt, the head of the Canadian Space Society, gets upset when politics plays a role in deciding which country should launch Canadian satellites. After numerous delays, SAPPHIRE is now tentatively due to be launched on an Indian rocket in March 2012, along with NEOSSat, another Canadian satellite.

He says the bottom line is that India was able to provide a cheaper launcher and the decision had more to do with economics than with the invasion of Georgia.

But Shortt also complains that Canada has a tough time trying to get its satellites launched by India because it is sometimes bumped to the bottom of the list.

"It always becomes a matter of, if a higher-paying customer comes along, or a larger payload or whatever, there's a juggling that goes on and Canada isn't at the top of the priority list," Shortt said."When you start adding in things like the political playing field, non-proliferation agreements and this kind of stuff, you ... dwindle it down even further," he said.

A Canadian Forces official says the launch of SAPPHIRE has been delayed because the rocket's primary payload is not yet ready.The delay might also stem from a more basic logistical snafu: one of the rockets India uses to launch commercial satellites went out of control and was lost in April 2010.

MSCI was contracted to build NEOSSat for the Canadian Space Agency and Cooper says India was picked as its launcher because it offered the best price.

Too many things to highlight in that article. Worth reading it in full. Going by the date of the launch and a reference to the GSLV failure, I think that ISRO has customers lined up for its GSLV launch in 2012.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 17 Oct 2011 14:22

GPUs vs. CPUs - Expresscomputeronline

Moderators, you can please move this post to the appropriate thread if you deem.

Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director - South Asia, Nvidia Graphics Pvt. Ltd., narrated, “I went to Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in May. Dr. Radhakrishna was inaugurating that center. They had equipment in a single room delivering 220 teraflops and this was built at a cost of Rs. 14 crores including the civil work.”

VSSC does a lot of work on CFD especially with regard to satellites. To this end the scientists at VSSC have developed a homegrown application called PARAS or Parallel Aerodynamic Simulation that they have been working on for over a decade. PARAS ran on the Intel architecture earlier.

“To get close to 200 teraflops, they would have needed 5,800 CPUs. The code had been written on the x86 architecture. We offered them the same architecture, use the same room and offer a quantum jump in performance with a hybrid architecture of CPUs and GPUs. By adding 400 GPUs to the existing 400 CPUs, they got to 220 teraflops,” commented Dhupar.

There’s a substantial energy efficiency advantage from using GPUs. VSSC consumes 150 kWh for generating 220 teraflops. Tata CRL, on the other hand, is using 2.5 mWh for 170 teraflops. “A GPU’s power consumption is extremely low,” concluded Dhupar.