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Indian Space Capabilities

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...n-isro-and-drdo-scientist/article22829572.ece

‘ICONS-2018’, global meet on sonar systems, sensors, begins
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K. Sivan has said that there is scope for a deeper collaboration between the space agency and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as both have common goals and use the same technology.

A major space project was recently jointly reviewed by him with DRDO Chairman S. Christopher, Dr. Sivan said. He was inaugurating an international conference on sonar systems and sensors, ‘ICONS-2018’, organised by the State’s only DRDO lab, the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), at Angamaly on Thursday. Outlining a few space projects like the indigenous automatic identification system, fishing zone identification technology, and the desi GPS called Navic, he said that they contributed to the safety of fishermen at sea and supported the growth of economy. “It is essential to safeguard the seas around India for the sake of the country’s economy,” he added.

The fishing zone identification system has helped generate revenue to the tune of ₹50,000 crore on the western coast alone in the last five years. The Navic system, formerly known as IRNSS, provides fishers real-time information on their locations, international boundary, and weather conditions. “We have been able to make them feel at home while fishing on the seas,” Dr. Sivan said.

He added that the space agency had indigenously developed some of the best computing systems which would come handy for other agencies. “Everyone is heavily dependent on electronics, but a fair share of it is imported. But that could change as we have the capability within the country,” he said, underscoring why there should be synergy between the DRDO and the ISRO.

Dr. Christopher said that a ‘sensing sea’ like a sensing city could probably throw up a solution to accidents at sea. “DRDO is keen to enter into fruitful collaborations with academia and industries in India and abroad, so that the synergy thus generated will propel faster progress of our country in the field of defence science and technology,” he added.

NPOL, which is engaged in R&D in Sound Navigation and Ranging (Sonar) systems and allied technologies, had developed a range of sonars that are deployed on naval ships and submarines.

“The cutting edge of successful anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations comes from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technologies relevant to submarine detection and tracking. The key to good passive sonar is ultimately transducers. In recent years, there has been considerable importance in transducer technologies, especially at very low frequencies. Non-acoustic sensors and MEMS devices also have started making their appearance in this challenging field,” Dr. Christopher said.

NPOL Director S. Kedarnath Shenoy said that the thrust areas of the laboratory were signal processing and imaging, underwater acoustics, electronics, engineering systems, transducers, materials, and oceanography. The laboratory has developed hull-mounted sonar for ships and submarines, towed array sonar, and airborne sonar for the Navy.

Arogyaswami J. Paulraj from Stanford University, a Padma Bhushan awardee and recipient of Marconi Prize and Alexander Graham Bell Award, delivered the keynote address.

V.K. Aatre, former Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri and Director General, DRDO; Rear Admiral Antony George, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (staff requirements), and Samir Kamat, Director General, Naval Science & Materials, DRDO, spoke.
 
The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Irani inaugurating the 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting - ‘BES Expo 2018’, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on February 26, 2018. The Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri N.K. Sinha and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Irani visiting after inaugurating the 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting - ‘BES Expo 2018’, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on February 26, 2018.

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The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Irani visiting after inaugurating the 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting - ‘BES Expo 2018’, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on February 26, 2018.

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The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Irani at the inauguration of the 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting - ‘BES Expo 2018’, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on February 26, 2018. The Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri N.K. Sinha and other dignitaries are also seen.


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The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Irani presenting an award at the inauguration of the 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting - ‘BES Expo 2018’, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on February 26, 2018. The Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri N.K. Sinha is also seen.

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The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Irani presenting an award at the inauguration of the 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting - ‘BES Expo 2018’, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on February 26, 2018. The Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri N.K. Sinha is also seen.


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The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Irani addressing at the inauguration of the 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting - ‘BES Expo 2018’, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on February 26, 2018.

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The Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar addressing the media on announcement for launching of ‘Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins’, under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)’, in New Delhi on March 08, 2018.
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The Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar addressing the media on announcement for launching of ‘Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins’, under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)’, in New Delhi on March 08, 2018. The Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Shri J.P. Prakash and the Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri A.P. Frank Noronha are also seen.

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The Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar addressing the media on announcement for launching of ‘Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins’, under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)’, in New Delhi on March 08, 2018. The Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Shri J.P. Prakash and the Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri A.P. Frank Noronha are also seen.

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The Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar at a press conference, in New Delhi on March 08, 2018. The Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya and the Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri A.P. Frank Noronha are also seen.

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Department of Space
08-March, 2018 17:07 IST
Self Reliance in Space Technology

Government’s proposal to develop the Reusable Launch Vehicles involves mastering of many cutting edge technologies, which require a series of technology demonstrator tests. ISRO has successfully carried out first flight test of RLV-TD (Reusable Launch Vehicle- Technology Demonstrator) to validate few critical technologies such as autonomous navigation, guidance & control, thermal protection system and re-entry mission management.



This was stated by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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http://www.deccanherald.com/content/664096/isro-aims-launch-chandrayaan-2.html

ISRO aims to launch Chandrayaan-2 by April

ISRO aims to launch Chandrayaan-2 by April

Press Trust of India, Chennai, Mar 11 2018, 19:32 IST

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If the April launch of the Chandrayaan-2, the country's second mission to the Moon, is not possible, then the ISRO will aim for a launch by October. Image Courtesy: Twitter

The ISRO today said it is aiming for an April launch of the Chandrayaan-2 satellite to the moon, this time it plans to send a rover to explore the lunar surface.

If the April launch of the Chandrayaan-2, the country's second mission to the Moon, is not possible, then the ISRO will aim for a launch by October.

"We are aiming for the launch of Chandrayaan-2 in April. In case we are unable to do so, then we will try for a launch by October," Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Sivan told reporters here.

The Chandrayaan-2 satellite would comprise an orbiter, lander and six-wheeled rover which would move around the landing site and instruments on it would send back data that would be useful in analysing the lunar soil.

After reaching the lunar orbit, the Lander housing the rover will separate from the orbiter. After a controlled descent, the lander will soft land on the lunar surface at a specified site and deploy the rover.

Sivan said scientists were also gearing up for the launch of communication satellite GSAT-6 on-board GSLV-F08, scheduled later this month.

"Our immediate plan is a GSLV flight. We are planning to launch it by the end of this month. After that we plan to launch navigation satellite IRNSS-1I," he said.

The GSAT-6A is a communication satellite which will provide a platform for developing technologies. It would be useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications.

The IRNSS-1I is the eighth satellite to join the NavIC Navigation satellite constellation, which would be sent to a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit on-board PSLV as the previous IRNSS-1H launched on August 31, 2017, had become an "unsuccessful" mission.

On asking, Sivan said the ISRO was working on developing a mobile application for the benefit of fishermen.

"We are working on the app (application). It will inform fishermen where large quantities of fish are available. It will also give them messages about the conditions of the sea. It is in production mode (currently)," he said.

In January, the ISRO successfully launched PSLV-C40 carrying Cartosat-2 Series satellite from the spaceport of Sriharikota about 110 km from here.
 
Department of Space
21-March, 2018 16:53 IST
Performance of Remote Sensing Satellites

At present, there are 19 Remote Sensing satellites (including Meteorological satellites) operational in orbit. These satellites are being utilised to their capacity to meet the requirements of resource monitoring, infrastructure planning, enabling weather forecasting, disaster management support including host of societal applications.

The services derived from these satellites are being used by various Ministries/Departments in agriculture, water resources, forest and environment, urban and rural development, ocean and meteorology.

Indian Remote Sensing satellites are meant for meeting national needs for public good services. These satellites are not meant for revenue generation. The benefits are accrued through applications derived from these satellites.

In order to accelerate the use of satellites and its services, the Department has taken following measures - (i) conduct of user interaction meets and utilisation programmes; (ii) capacity building for space applications; (iii) creation of an outreach facility.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
22-March, 2018 18:21 IST
Ethanol as Primary Fuel

The Government has notified mass emission standard for flex-fuel ethanol (E85) or (E100)and ethanol (ED95) vehicles,vide notificationG.S.R. 682(E) dated 12th July, 2016 after inviting suggestions from the public and different stakeholders.The Government, through Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) is implementing the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme under which OMCs sell ethanol blended petrol with percentage of ethanol upto 10% subject to its availability and as per BIS specifications. This programme is being implemented in 21 States and 4 Union Territories including the State of Maharashtra.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Shri Mansukh Lal Mandavia in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.


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Department of Space
23-March, 2018 12:39 IST
ISRO–BHEL Tie up for the Production of Space Grade Lithium-Ion Cells

ISRO has entered into a Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA) with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), which is one of the country’s leading PSUs, to transfer the technology for the manufacture of space grade Li-Ion cells. The TTA was signed at ISRO Headquarters, Bengaluru yesterday in the presence of Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO and Mr. Atul Sobti, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL.

ISRO uses Li-Ion batteries as power sources for satellite and launch vehicle applications due to their high energy density, reliability and long cycle life. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of ISRO at Thiruvananthapuram has successfully developed the technology to produce space grade Li-ion cell, demonstrated the performance of the cell under various testing conditions and established its cycle life characteristics in accelerated mode. These cells are currently being used for various satellite and launch vehicle applications.

This Li-ion cell Technology Transfer will enable BHEL to produce space grade Li-Ion cells which can meet the country’s space programme requirements. This technology can also be adopted to cater to the Li-Ion cell requirement for other national needs.



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The Chairman, ISRO, Dr. K. Sivan, the CMD, BHEL, Shri Atul Sobti, the Director, BHEL (E,R&D), Shri Subrata Biswas and the Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Shri S. Somanath, during the Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA) signing ceremony, at Bengaluru on March 22, 2018.
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The GSAT-6A is scheduled to be launched from Siharikota in Andhra Pradesh on March 29. | Photo Credit: ISRO

Bengaluru, March 25, 2018 22:58 IST
Updated: March 25, 2018 22:58 IST

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...-in-the-arm/article23349958.ece?homepage=true

Will enable mobile communication via hand-held terminals

GSAT-6A, the second predominantly S-band communications satellite, is set to be launched from Sriharikota on March 29.

It will complement GSAT-6, which has been orbiting since August 2015 at 83 degrees East longitude. The 2,000-kg-class 6A, costing about ₹270 crore, is a great deal more than a routine communications satellite. It is designated for the use of the Armed Forces and will not add any transponder capacity for general uses, according to sources in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

A special feature of the GSAT-6A is its 6-metre-wide umbrella-like antenna, which will be unfurled in once it is in space. The antenna is thrice as broad as the antennas generally used in ISRO satellites. It will enable mobile communication from anywhere via hand-held ground terminals. Regular communication satellites with smaller antenna require much larger ground stations, said a former director of ISRO.

The S-band’s antenna was developed by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. The unfurl-able antenna, hand-held ground terminals, and network management techniques could be useful in future satellite-based mobile communication applications. GSAT-6A will also have a smaller 0.8-metre antenna for communication in the C band. GSAT-6A is slated to be launched at 4.56 p.m. on a GSLV rocket.
 
Department of Space
28-March, 2018 15:45 IST
Mission on Moon and Mars

Chandrayaan-2 is a totally indigenous mission with Orbiter, Lander and rover configuration. Orbiter is to be placed in 100 km orbit around the Moon. After reaching the 100 km lunar orbit, the Lander will be separated from the orbiter and it will soft land on the lunar surface and deploy a Rover. The Rover will then move around the landing site. The Orbiter will continue to orbit around the Moon and perform remote-sensing observations of the lunar surface.



ISRO has formed a study team to formulate plans to explore solar system bodies. The study team has recommended a future mission to Mars. Scientific proposals for payloads are selected by an expert committee.



The Orbiter will study the Moon for its topography, elemental and mineralogical distribution and extent of subsurface water ice. The lander will land on the lunar surface and demonstrate ISRO’s capability for landing on Moon. Subsequently, the Rover will roll out of the Lander and move around the landing site. The lander and rover payloads will conduct observations on the elemental composition and study the lunar ionosphere. The Chandrayaan-2 mission will definitely expand the scientific knowledge on Moon by remote-sensing from Orbiter and in-situ studies from lander/rover. Total expenditure on the mission is around Rs 800 Cr.

Mission planning for next MARS mission is under progress.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Department of Space
28-March, 2018 15:43 IST
Atomic Clock

A navigation satellite, IRNSS-1I is scheduled for launch using PSLV launch vehicle in April 2018.

Atomic clock of IRNSS-1A has become non-functional, but the satellite is being used for providing messaging services like disaster alerts, potential fishing zones information dissemination to fishermen, etc. IRNSS-1I will be added to NavIC constellation for providing intended navigation services.

The atomic clocks used in NavIC are manufactured by M/s SpectraTime. Some of these clocks have failed in Galileo. The reason for the failures has been analyzed and understood and the corrective actions have accordingly been taken on remaining clocks for upcoming satellites including IRNSS-1I.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.



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Department of Space
29-March, 2018 20:15 IST
GSLV Successfully Launches GSAT-6A Satellite

India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08) successfully launched GSAT-6A Satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) today (March 29, 2018). Today’s launch of GSLV was its twelfth and took place from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, the spaceport of India. This is the fifth consecutive success achieved by GSLV carrying indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage.

In its oval shaped GTO, GSAT-6A is now orbiting the Earth with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 169.4 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 36,692.5 km with an orbital inclination of 20.64 deg with respect to the equator.

Few seconds before the launch countdown reached zero, the four liquid propellant strap-on motors of GSLV-F08, each with nearly 43 tons of liquid propellants, were ignited. At count zero and after confirming the normal performance of all the four strap-on motors, the 139 ton solid propellant first stage core motor was ignited and GSLV lifted off at 16:56 IST, as scheduled. The major phases of the flight occurred as intended. About seventeen and a half minutes after lift-off, GSAT-6A was successfully placed in GTO.
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Soon after separation from GSLV, the two solar arrays of GSAT-6A were automatically deployed in quick succession and the Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka assumed control of the satellite. .

GSAT-6A is a communication satellite built by ISRO to provide mobile communication services through multi beam coverage. For this, it is equipped with S and C band transponders.

In the coming days, the orbit of GSAT-6A will be raised from its present GTO to the final circular Geostationary Orbit (GSO) by firing the satellite's Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) in stages. The Satellite will be commissioned into service after the completion of orbit raising operations and its positioning in the designated slot in GSO following in-orbit testing of its payloads.

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Prime Minister's Office
29-March, 2018 18:43 IST
PM congratulates ISRO team on the successful launch of GSLV-F08

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated ISRO team on the successful launch of GSLV-F08 with indigenous cryogenic stage.

“Congratulations to ISRO and other stakeholders on the successful launch of GSLV-F08 with indigenous cryogenic stage.

GSAT-6A, a communication satellite, will provide new possibilities for mobile applications. Proud of ISRO for taking the nation towards new heights and a brighter future”, the Prime Minister said.
 
Department of Space
04-April, 2018 14:20 IST
Satellite launched by ISRO

Satellites launched by ISRO in the last four years and the current year are as follows:



Communication Satellite

8

Navigational Satellite

7

Remote Sensing Satellite

5

Meteorological satellite

2

Science Satellite

1

Technology Demonstration/ Student Satellite

9



Communication satellites carried communication transponders in different frequency bands of C, Extended C, Ku, Ka and S-band for telecommunication, broadcast and mobile communication services.

Navigation satellites were part of the indigenous constellation NavIC, India’s own regional navigation system. Navigation satellites carried navigation payloads in L and S-bands for providing position, navigation and timing services.

Earth Observation satellites are used for deriving inputs for Natural Resource Management, Disaster Management, Cartographic Applications, Weather, Climate and Ocean Studies.

Astrosat (Science payload) is a unique multi wavelength observatory in space. It provides an opportunity for observation of celestial sources in Ultra-Violet, Optical and X-ray wavelength bands.

ISRO has launched satellites for Technology demonstration and student satellites to encourage young generation to work in the field of space.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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BB/NK/SS
 
Department of Space
05-April, 2018 18:18 IST
Rocket Launches by ISRO

The number of rocket launches undertaken by ISRO during the last three years i.e. 2015, 2016 & 2017 are as follows:

2015: 5 launches (4 PSLV & 1 GSLV)

2016: 7launches (6 PSLV&1 GSLV)

2017: 5 launches (3 PSLV, 1 GSLV & 1 GSLV Mk-III)



During the last three years, starting from January 2015 till December 2017, a total of 169foreign satellites from 23 countries were successfully launched onboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Revenue earned through these launches was approx. 95 Million Euros and 4.5 Million USD in Foreign Exchange.

The total number of missions proposed during the ensuing three years i.e. 2018, 2019 & 2020 is 57 (26 Launch Vehicle missions and 31 satellite missions). In 2018, 4 missions (1 Launch Vehicle mission and 3 satellite missions) have already been completed till date.

Funds allocated to Department of Space during last three years is given below:

Financial Year

Allocation (RE)

(` in crores)

2014-15
5826.00

2015-16
6959.44

2016-17
8045.28



Major achievements of ISRO along with new R&D missions accomplished during last three years are detailed below:

2014-15:

  1. Mars Orbiter Mission
  2. An experimental mission of GSLV-Mk III (with passive cryogenic stage)
  3. Launch of three navigation Satellites viz. IRNSS-1B, 1C and 1D.
  4. Launch of GSAT-16 communication satellite
2015-16:

  1. GSAT-6 communication satellite
  2. Launch of first observatory in space “ASTROSAT”
  3. Launch of communication satellite “GSAT-15”,
  4. Launch of two navigation satellites viz. IRNSS-1E and 1F.
2016-17:

  1. India's GSLV-F05 with indigenous Cryogenic stage
  2. Augmented Indian Earth Observation capability with four remote sensing satellites viz. Resourcesat-2A, Scatsat-1 and two Cartosat-2 series.
  3. Successfully conducted two technology demonstrator missions viz. Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) and Scramjet Engine, an Air Breathing Propulsion System.
  4. Successful testing of indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage “C25” for GSLV MkIII for full flight duration of 640 seconds.
  5. Successfully launched 104 satellites in a single go, onboard PSLV C37.


This was stated by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...on-thursday/article23494893.ece?homepage=true
IRNSS


IRNSS-1A, blasts off from Sriharikota | Photo Credit: PTI

It will transmit signals for the accurate determination of position, navigation and time

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the IRNSS-1I satellite on April 12 at 04:04 a.m. from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, through its PSLV-C41. It will be the 20th flight of PSLV-XL version. This satellite will transmit signals for the accurate determination of position, navigation and time.

This launch comes exactly two weeks after ISRO's launch of communication satellite GSAT-6A, with which it lost contact in two days.

What is IRNSS?
IRNSS stands for Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. It is a set of satellites which together can provide India a regional positioning system similar to the GPS. According to the ISRO website, the system is designed to give position accuracy better than 20 metres to users in its primary coverage area. It can also service regions extending up to 1500 km around India's boundary.

How many IRNSS satellites are up there now?
There are currently seven IRNSS satellites (1A to 1G) in orbit. A, B, F, G are placed in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they seem to be at a fixed location above the Earth and they orbit along with the Earth. The remaining three, C, D, E, are located in geostationary orbit-they seem to be at a fixed location above the Earth along the equator and orbit along with the Earth.

The last IRNSS, 1H, which was launched on August 31, 2017 was unsuccessful as the satellite did not come out of its heat shield.

What are the applications of IRNSS?

These satellites help not just in land navigation but also in marine and aerial navigation. The data from these satellites can be used to give vehicle drivers visual and voice navigation assistance. They also help in disaster management and in proper time-keeping.

Specifications of IRNSS-1I
Weighing 321 tonnes, the PSLV-C41 will put the IRNSS-1I into orbit 19 minutes and 19 seconds after lift-off. The IRNSS-1I weighs 1425 kg at lift-off and is the ninth satellite in the IRNSS satellite constellation. It will be placed in a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit and at its closest point will be 284 km above the Earth and at its farthest will be 20,650 km above the Earth.

Like all other IRNSS satellites, IRNSS-1I will also carry two payloads – navigation payload and ranging payload - the former to transmit signals for determining position, velocity and time and the latter for determining the frequency range of the satellite.
 

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