Indian Space Program: News & Discussion - Sept 2016

Krita · Post by **Krita** » 25 Jan 2020 22:46

follow-up mission mission to Chandrayaan-2. Called Chandrayaan-2A, the mission would demonstrate a soft landing using a lunar lander with optional ascent capabilities that would allow the spacecraft to "hop" on the moon.

https://www.space.com/india-moon-landin ... ilure.html

Haridas · Post by **Haridas** » 26 Jan 2020 01:40

krishGo wrote:
ISRO is trying to stick to more or less the mission profile of CY-2. So, they will depend of this propulsion module for for orbit raising and LOI. The propulsion module will basically be a space tug, with LAM, propellant tanks. For those who still remember the planned PAM (Payload Assist Module) for Mk2, this will be something very similar (and very straightforward to realize). I suspect the stack can only be launched on a Mk III.

There was also the possibility of an alternate profile where the lander (with rover) could have been launched on a direct trajectory to the moon by a Mk III (no need for orbit raising). In this case the engines on the lander would be responsible for making the LOI burn. But would have required a redesign of the lander to carry more propellant .

Alternate profile by positioning jettiosonable fuel tank on top (using spacer support) and plumbing would be attractive becoz the 5 high trust lander engine to do the job much faster and no deadweight of PAM engine. Only lander structure need strengthening (+ vibration analysis and verification).

vinamr_s · Post by **vinamr_s** » 27 Jan 2020 14:31

CNES and ISRO have finalised drafting the agreement between the two space agencies in which French experts are likely to provide training to Indian astronauts.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation ... 94922.html

They are likely to be trained by Novespace, a CNES subsidiary, on parabolic flights aboard the Air Zero Gravity, which is a modified version of an Airbus A310, a CNES official said. This will provide the astronauts a zero-gravity environment on Earth.

[...]

The CNES will also provide India equipment for life support that astronauts will wear during Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2022. They will be using several French devices for health monitoring — eyewear device featuring a bluetooth connected garment which is equipped with biomedical sensors, aquapad cotton for quick and easy testing of water, specific equipment for waste management, or even food packaging.

They may even use other devices such as the ECHO, an ultrasound system tele-operated by doctors on the ground, or the Cardiomed to measure cardiovascular activity. CNES expert Dr Brigitte Godard has already spent time during July and August in Bengaluru to train physicians and personnel, said the official.

The Indian physicians and engineers involved in Gaganyaan will also be trained in France in the coming months. Training sessions will be for two weeks each, with teams coming and going. The training will be given at MEDES space medicine and physiology institute in Toulouse and by the teams at ESA’s astronaut training centre in Cologne.

vinamr_s · Post by **vinamr_s** » 27 Jan 2020 14:34

ISRO should have tried to develop infrastructure and a team for in house astronaut training and life support systems. They are rushing for the 75 years of independence deadline. It's ruining the experience of a manned space mission.

kit · Post by **kit** » 27 Jan 2020 15:31

vinamr_s wrote:ISRO should have tried to develop infrastructure and a team for in house astronaut training and life support systems. They are rushing for the 75 years of independence deadline. It's ruining the experience of a manned space mission.

There was no mandate and no deadline and so no money for it before ! Do you think they cant build it in India., it will., now they will have expertise from both the French and Russians

Barath · Post by **Barath** » 27 Jan 2020 17:12

vinamr_s wrote:ISRO should have tried to develop infrastructure and a team for in house astronaut training and life support systems. They are rushing for the 75 years of independence deadline. It's ruining the experience of a manned space mission.

There was no money or will for this. Except as part of the 75th year independence deadline tamasha. Even now, there is no vision or political/financial commitment to creating and sustaining those capabilities post the few launches.

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 27 Jan 2020 20:13

Institute of dpace medicine is being upgraded. Actually there is a stepwise progress planned after the initual space program. Tge trqining that will be given is to give a fillip to the biosciences program for HSP

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 27 Jan 2020 23:29

Just curious if the navic enabled phones/chips well also be available in China and Pakistan

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 28 Jan 2020 03:30

vinamr_s wrote:ISRO should have tried to develop infrastructure and a team for in house astronaut training and life support systems. They are rushing for the 75 years of independence deadline. It's ruining the experience of a manned space mission.

Once you succeed in putting Humans into space, there will be interest. So ISRO is doing a great job of getting it done by hook or by crook. Tamasha or not - putting Humans into space is critical for India's future. Our vision is so small that we cannot look past our pockets and imports. Once this is expanded we need to look at interstellar missions - to infinity and beyond!!

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 28 Jan 2020 03:30

ArjunPandit wrote:Just curious if the navic enabled phones/chips well also be available in China and Pakistan

Introduce errors in them so their missiles end up striking their own cities?

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 30 Jan 2020 09:29

Sc & ISRO researchers develop 'space bricks' 4 future Moon habitats. Many yrs in the making, we have now been able to make bricks that have sufficient strength...
Cool. There are some articles in main-stream media now.. for example:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 751696.cms

Vips · Post by **Vips** » 31 Jan 2020 20:17

ISRO readying for low cost satellite launch vehicles.

The Indian Space Research Organisation is readying low-cost satellite launch vehicles costing about Rs 30-35 crore each, which can put into orbit
satellites weighing 500 kg.

The first such launch from the country is expected to take place in the next four months.

This capability will give ISRO a big commercial boost as it will be able to cater to micro, mini and medium segments of the market, Haridas T V, Deputy Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre said, taking part in the panel discussions at 'EDGE 2020, The Space Conclave', here on Friday. "The biggest advantage is that ISRO now can manufacture these vehicles in a turnaround time of just three weeks," he said.

ISRO has earmarked $1,600 million for launch vehicles, of which $870 million will be for PSLV and the remaining for Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, he revealed. ISRO has planned some 500 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle launches in the next five years, a press release quoting Haridas said.

juvva · Post by **juvva** » 07 Feb 2020 21:52

^500 pslv launches in 5 years ??? Looks like one additional zero.

Ashokk · Post by **Ashokk** » 10 Feb 2020 21:14

Gaganyaan astronaut-elects begin training in Russia

BENGALURU: The four Indian astronaut-elects, who left for Russia on Friday, have begun their 12-month long training on Monday.
The four Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots, picked after thorough screening, have been put on the planned training programme at the Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Russia.
"GCTC has started the planned training programme of Indian candidates for a spaceflight under the contract between Glavkosmos, JSC (part of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos) and the Human Spaceflight Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)," Glavkosmos said on Monday.
The 12-month training will include comprehensive and biomedical training, which will be combined with regular physical practices.
"In addition, they will study in detail the systems of the Soyuz manned spaceship, as well as they will be trained in short-term weightlessness mode aboard the special Il-76MDK aircraft," Glavkosmos added.
The Indian pilots will also be trained to act correctly in case of abnormal landing of the manned spaceship descent module in various climate and geographic zones. The most part of the training will take place at the GCTC facilities.
Isro chairman K Sivan had said on January 1 that the final four astronaut-elects had been selected.
And, as TOI had reported before that, India had picked 12 IAF test pilots who cleared the level-1 screening for the Gaganyaan programme which envisages to send Indian astronauts to space by 2022 in September 2019.
The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) under IAF, had selected the 12 astronauts from 60 applicants.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 15 Feb 2020 22:08

ISRO's annual report is out, somewhat early. Unfortunately, I cannot say that there are many nuggets this time

Apart from major details about the IRNSS and Navic. See if you agree, hope I'm wrong!

https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/f ... index.html

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 15 Feb 2020 23:47

Look up ^ HAVA SPADEX and TVP

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 15 Feb 2020 23:53

Hypersonic Air Breathing Vehicle with Air frame integrated system (HAVA): It is a lifting
body hypersonic vehicle integrated with scramjet engine, boosted by ADMIRE booster to an
altitude of 44 km and glide down to 25 km altitude with a Mach number of 6. The objective is to
demonstrate accelerating flight of a hypersonic vehicle with scramjet engine power from Mach
6 to Mach 7 in 250 seconds at constant dynamic pressure. The data base generated can
be used for the design and development of a Two-Stage-to-Orbit (TSTO) vehicle, powered
by air breathing combined cycle engine. Isrosene is considered as fuel for HAVA. System
engineering and design has been completed.
Fabrication of heat sink version of Scramjet
test combustor, configuration of air intake
cowl opening mechanism and effervescent
Isrosene injector were completed. Hot test
of GH2-GO2 based dump igniter was carried
out.

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 15 Feb 2020 23:54

Test Vehicle Project (TVP): Test Vehicle
is a single stage liquid propelled launch
vehicle being developed to validate the
Crew Escape System (CES) performance at
different critical Mach numbers, viz, transonic, Qmax, Mach 2.0 and Mach 2.5. Test Vehicle
mimics the Human Rated Launch Vehicle trajectory during its atmospheric regime, carries
CES as payload and places it at the predefined “M-q’ pill box. This vehicle uses the already
proven L-40 earth storable propulsive system with reduced Area Ratio nozzle, new structural
elements and full-fledged autonomous avionics & NGC systems. Dual plane Engine Gimbal
and Fin Tip Control (4 fins) using electro-hydraulic actuators are planned.

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 15 Feb 2020 23:56

Project NETRA
Network for space object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) is the first ISRO project with the primary
objective as Space Situational Awareness (SSA). The prime goal of the project is to establish
a network of observational facilities and a control centre, to identify, track and catalogue space
objects that threaten the safety of Indian space assets. The control centre will process the tracking
information from the observational network and provide accurate & timely proximity alerts to mission
operations centres. The land for the control centre was identified in the Peenya campus of ISTRAC.
Chairman, ISRO laid the foundation stone on 2nd August, 2019.
In the initial phase of the project, it is envisaged to established one radar at Shillong, Meghalaya,
one telescope at Hanle, Ladakh and a control centre at Peenya, Bengaluru.

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 16 Feb 2020 00:06

Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator !!

RH300 MkII/IAD Technology Demonstration: Realisation of IAD system in Polychloroprene coated Kevlar fabric is in progress. Inflation system configuration has been carried out. The flight was targeted by the end of 2019

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 16 Feb 2020 10:39

Let me do a little bit rona dhona. I kind of thought that it would happen and it did. All the focus on HSF has taken focus away from capability development for more efficient and larger launch capability. There is no mention of SCE200, SC120 or S200 in the whole report.

The ADMIRE based projects are welcome. But I have been hearing about them and seeing schematics for the past 2 years.

Haridas · Post by **Haridas** » 17 Feb 2020 05:09

Varoon Shekhar wrote:ISRO's annual report is out, somewhat early. Unfortunately, I cannot say that there are many nuggets this time Apart from major details about the IRNSS and Navic. See if you agree, hope I'm wrong!

https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/f ... index.html

I am excited about the HRSAT's possible applications & naughty purposes.

And did you see the insane solar power 3200 Watt of RESOURCESAT-3S/SA? Indicates what is coming into the craft.

Building 2 PetaFLOP Supercomputer with non blocking interconnect.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 17 Feb 2020 08:05

You're right, that is impressive and tantalising. I suppose what I am expecting from " nuggets " is report of a breakthrough that is near testing in actual conditions.

Haridas · Post by **Haridas** » 17 Feb 2020 12:10

Back in 1983 took a class on Satellite communication in the final year.
What a journey for Bharatiya Antariksha Anusandhaan Sansthaan from there to today !

Jai Bharat !

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 17 Feb 2020 18:04

Haridas wrote:
And did you see the insane solar power 3200 Watt of RESOURCESAT-3S/SA? Indicates what is coming into the craft.

Building 2 PetaFLOP Supercomputer with non blocking interconnect.

haridas ji is it too much to ask for what does that mean..the large no. indicates, which is out of pattern from previous nos, makes me think that we are going for something big in coming years..2022 or 2023 vintage...otherwise why would not we want to continue our 'nehindru' growth rate of few every year...

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 17 Feb 2020 18:32

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/scien ... 830789.ece
ISRO to launch an unprecedented 10 earth imaging satellites

They include new categories such as first Geo Imaging Satellite

The country will send up an unusually large number of 10 earth observation (EO) satellites during 2020-21, according to the latest annual report of the ...

Rest is behind paywall ...

The Geo Imaging satellite, that was on my wish-list after learning about a similar Chinese cability, is finally here. Extrapolating Cartosat-3 capabilities had me optimistic about our chances to match the Chinese. It will help maintain a 24x7 watch over the area it is positioned, most probably IOR. Seems like an optical sat, therefore a fair weather satellite but that is still a start.

Can anyone with access post the "Geo Imaging Satellite" related details?

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 17 Feb 2020 20:39

the whole article is available by clicking that link in US of A.

Quoting a part that you requested (Lest the commie paper turns capitalist and demands damage money). What it also says that there is unprecedent activity by ISRO to support military for next Fiscal year.
We are historically short of 50-100 defense sats as we were pursuing Nehruvian/cong policy of not being strong enough so that the country can be dictated by minorities/outside interest. This govt is undoing that policy.

"The upcoming EO satellites include radar imaging satellites RISAT-2BR2, RISAT- 1A and 2A; Oceansat-3 and Resourcesat-3/3S.
The RISAT-2BR2 will form a triad fleet with its predecessors RISAT-2B and RISAT-2B1, all going around 120 degrees apart. They will “increase the frequency of observation in the areas of interest to provide all-weather, day/night imaging services from space,” the report said."

Haridas · Post by **Haridas** » 17 Feb 2020 22:34

ArjunPandit wrote:
Haridas wrote:
And did you see the insane solar power 3200 Watt of RESOURCESAT-3S/SA? Indicates what is coming into the craft.

Building 2 PetaFLOP Supercomputer with non blocking interconnect.
haridas ji is it too much to ask for what does that mean..the large no. indicates, which is out of pattern from previous nos, makes me think that we are going for something big in coming years..2022 or 2023 vintage...otherwise why would not we want to continue our 'nehindru' growth rate of few every year...

Indicates electric /ion thrusters. => Agile orbit change, revisit period reduced.

As for supercomputer, apart from speed, the non blocking fabric reduce constrains on concurrent /parallel computing. Flatter & less constrained compute platform.

In 1989 we couldn't sell a HP mixed signal IC tester to SCL because US didn't allow export to Bharat of any hardware that had more then 20 MegaFLOP capabelity without dept of commerce approval. Fearing India could use it for bum simulation / design. Now Taliban hakim in ToraBora must be having a field day to become a genuine "atimi kuwwat" scientist (unlike photo chor Abdul Quadir khan)

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 18 Feb 2020 00:51

Indranil wrote:Let me do a little bit rona dhona. I kind of thought that it would happen and it did. All the focus on HSF has taken focus away from capability development for more efficient and larger launch capability. There is no mention of SCE200, SC120 or S200 in the whole report.

The ADMIRE based projects are welcome. But I have been hearing about them and seeing schematics for the past 2 years.

While Gaganyaan is going on be assured that all other projects are chugging along. There are inf act umpteen projects going on at various stages. Gaganyaan itself requires so many things to be validated that will have tremendous spin offs for us.Consider it like a Tejas Mark 1

kit · Post by **kit** » 18 Feb 2020 01:20

A humungous range of projects i would say, if it was NASA it would spend 10 times as much !

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 18 Feb 2020 10:18

Simple example crew abort system helps validate use of the test vehicle which is nothing but part of ADMIRE as per Somnath!s presentation. Grid fins on the capsule help validate grid fin design and its control laws. The list is endless.

Vips · Post by **Vips** » 20 Feb 2020 23:38

Nasa and Isro working on dual frequency remote sensing satellite.

ISRO and NASA are together building a microwave remote sensing satellite with dual frequency (L and S band) Synthetic Aperture Radar," he said.

"Nasa will contribute L-band Radar, while Isro will contribute S-band Radar and the satellite. This joint mission is planned to be realised for launch in 2022. This is the world's first dual frequency SAR satellite," he said.

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 21 Feb 2020 12:48

As far as people saying they have seen schematics of ADMIRE for 2 years ADMIRE is not just one system - it is a range of test systems that will be used to test different things.

prasannasimha · Post by **prasannasimha** » 21 Feb 2020 12:51

Also when people do rhona dhona over delay a remember no two flights of even PSLV are exactly the same with many publicized and unpublicized changes as a part of incremental development that are being validated experimentally before actual flight as we do not have the luxury of many purely experimental or developmental flights after declaring the "D" designated launches are over. Simple thing - after D phase of PSLV we have a whole array from core alone to XP HP etc all concurrently developed under the F launches. Same for GSLV No II and III

Prasad · Post by **Prasad** » 21 Feb 2020 13:26

prasannasimha wrote:

Hypersonic Air Breathing Vehicle with Air frame integrated system (HAVA): It is a lifting
body hypersonic vehicle integrated with scramjet engine, boosted by ADMIRE booster to an
altitude of 44 km and glide down to 25 km altitude with a Mach number of 6. The objective is to
demonstrate accelerating flight of a hypersonic vehicle with scramjet engine power from Mach
6 to Mach 7 in 250 seconds at constant dynamic pressure. The data base generated can
be used for the design and development of a Two-Stage-to-Orbit (TSTO) vehicle, powered
by air breathing combined cycle engine. Isrosene is considered as fuel for HAVA. System
engineering and design has been completed.
Fabrication of heat sink version of Scramjet
test combustor, configuration of air intake
cowl opening mechanism and effervescent
Isrosene injector were completed. Hot test
of GH2-GO2 based dump igniter was carried
out.

My drawing skills definitely need to improve

sankum · Post by **sankum** » 24 Feb 2020 22:51

http://delhidefencereview.com/2020/02/2 ... gy-part-i/

A Deep Dive Into ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology – Part I

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 25 Feb 2020 20:59

https://www.isro.gov.in/launcher/gslv-f10-gisat-1

GISAT-1 launch confirmed for Thursday March 5th. Satellite weight 2275kg, higher than earlier stated. But no mention of direct injection into GSO, as hinted at months ago.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 25 Feb 2020 21:32

sankum wrote:http://delhidefencereview.com/2020/02/2 ... gy-part-i/

A Deep Dive Into ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology – Part I

Whoa, am I misunderstanding/reading when it says "this flight" will use a semi-cryo( SC) engine? The flight that is upcoming any day or week now. That( the SC) wasn't supposed to be ready for another two-three years, to be actually flown. Wish the language was more precise!

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 26 Feb 2020 00:46

Meanwhile let me share a nice picture..

Did you know there is Mangala Valles on our Mars?

Here is a photo of Mangala Vally (on Mangal, of course) taken by our Mangalyaan's color camera from an altitude of 9032 Km - spatial resolution 470 m).

Prasad · Post by **Prasad** » 26 Feb 2020 01:57

Varoon Shekhar wrote:
sankum wrote:http://delhidefencereview.com/2020/02/2 ... gy-part-i/

A Deep Dive Into ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology – Part I
Whoa, am I misunderstanding/reading when it says "this flight" will use a semi-cryo( SC) engine? The flight that is upcoming any day or week now. That( the SC) wasn't supposed to be ready for another two-three years, to be actually flown. Wish the language was more precise!

Future RLV-TD flights will seek to validate landing and propulsion-related technologies in order to serve as a test-bed for a follow-on programme that aims to develop a much larger RLV. This RLV will feature a SC 500 semi-cryogenic engine as well as a cryogenic CE 50 engine giving it a semi-cryo fly-back booster and a cryogenic orbiter.

Sounds pretty clear to me?