Indian GSLV-F09 launches GSAT-9 (South Asia Satellite)

Launch of Resourcesat-2A on Indian PSLV Rocket (C-36 Mission)

Ariane 5 ECA launches Indian GSAT-18 and Sky Muster II satellites

India Launches a Record 20 Satellites in one Launch

Launch of Indian PSLV Rocket with CartoSat 2C

Indian space shuttle

Indian Space Agency (ISRO) puts sixth navigation satellite IRNSS-1F in orbit

The final satellite, IRNSS-1G will be launched next month.



The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Thursday successfully launched its sixth navigational satellite on board its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-32) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 4.01pm as part of its plan to put in place an indigenous navigation system similar to US-based global positioning system (GPS) and the Russian GLONASS.

“Successful launch of IRNSS-1F is an accomplishment we all take immense pride in. I salute the hardwork of our scientists and Isro”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after the successful launch.

The satellite, IRNSS-1F, is part of the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System of seven satellites.

“The PSLV put the sixth satellite into the right orbit. We have only one more satellite left in this constellation to complete our sequence of seven satellites to complete our regional navigational system,” said A.S. Kiran Kumar, chairman of Isro.

The final satellite, IRNSS-1G, which will complete the series of satellites, will be launched next month, after which the navigation system will become operational, he added.

Indian Space Agency (ISRO) space observation satellite Astrosat begins operations

After evaluation of spacecraft star sensor performance ASTROSAT begins study of Cygnus X-1.

Cygnus X-1 is a well-known galactic X-ray source, thought to be a black hole,in the constellation Cygnus.

Video from the onboard cameras of GSLV D6 rocket

Cygnus X-1 is a well-known galactic X-ray source, thought to be a black hole,in the constellation Cygnus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cygnus_X-1

India tests most powerful cryogenic rocket engine so far

India’s first indigenously designed and developed High Thrust cryogenic rocket engine generating a nominal thrust of 19 tonnes was successfully endurance hot tested for a duration of 800 seconds on July 16, 2015 at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri. This duration is approximately 25% more than the engine burn duration in flight. The engine will be used for powering the Cryogenic stage (C25), the upper stage of the next generation GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle of ISRO, capable of launching four tonne class satellites.

This cryogenic engine of C25 Stage operates on Gas Generator Cycle using extremely low temperature propellants – Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) at 20 Kelvin (-253 deg C) and Liquid Oxygen (LOX) at 80K (-193 deg C). The various subsystems of the engine are – regeneratively cooled Thrust Chamber, Gas Generator, LOX and LH2 high speed turbopump systems, flow control components, close loop mixture ratio control system, Pyrogen igniters, fluid systems, etc. The turbopump system rotates at a speed of 36,000 rpm with a power level of 2 MW.

This high performance cryogenic engine was conceived, configured and realised by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), the lead centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) responsible for developing liquid propulsion systems for Indian Space Programme. The Engine design was totally in-house effort with experts from different fields like fluid dynamics, combustion, thermal, structural, metallurgy, fabrication, rotor dynamics, control components, etc., working together. The fabrication of major subsystems of the engine was carried out through Indian Industries. Assembly and Integration of the engine and Testing were carried out in ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), a unit of ISRO.

LPSC has also developed a cryogenic upper stage of 12.5 tonne propellant loading and successfully flight tested it in GSLV Mk-II vehicle on January 05, 2014. Compared to this stage, the C25 stage has a higher propellant loading (27 tonnes versus 12.5 tonnes) and higher engine thrust (19 tonne versus 7.5 tonne).

The recent successful endurance hot test of the first high thrust cryogenic engine is the tenth test in a series of tests planned and executed as part of the development of the engine employing complex cryogenic technology. The performance of the engine closely matches with the pre-test prediction made using the in-house developed cryogenic engine mathematical modelling and simulation software.

Prior to engine realisation, a series of subsystem level tests were carried out to independently evaluate the design of major subsystems like the turbopumps, thrust chamber, gas generator, flow control components, etc. Based on the confidence gained, the integrated engine testing was initiated.

As part of the C25 Stage development, further tests are planned in High Altitude conditions and in Stage configuration, prior to the flight stage realisation.

Mastering this complex, high performance cryogenic propulsion technology will go a long way in building self reliance for the Indian Space Programme.

India launches satellite-based navigation system

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Monday launched the GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system, which will offer seamless navigation to the aviation industry.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) developed the system, at a cost of Rs. 774 crore, over 15 years. India is the fourth country to offer space-based satellite navigation services to the aviation sector. The system also bridges the gap in the coverage areas of the European Union’s European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Japan’s Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS).

GAGAN will provide augmentation service for the GPS over the country, the Bay of Bengal, South East Asia and Middle East and up to Africa. Some of its benefits are improved efficiency, direct routes, increased fuel savings, approach with vertical guidance at runways, significant cost savings because of the withdrawal of ground aids and reduced workload of flight crew and air traffic controllers, ISRO officials said.

The guided approach landing with the help of GAGAN would immediately benefit nearly 50 airports in India, said R.N. Choubey, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He said the system would be available for the member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

However, the aircraft now being used by Indian operators are not compatible with GAGAN, Director-General of Civil Aviation M. Sathiyavathy said. “The Ministry is in talks with the industry, and let us see how best the new system can be put to use,” she said.

A.S. Ganeshan, project director, GAGAN, ISRO Satellite Centre, said South Korea and Japan were interested in the system.

ISRO's PSLV C28 Rocket Launches 5 British Satellites

ISRO CARE module safely splashes down into Bay of Bengal off Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Crew module Atmospheric Re-Entry Experiment (CARE) mission was a test before sending humans into space on Indian rockets.

Indian manned space program experimental flight

What is inside the hood of LVM3 with CARE module ?

One step in India's manned space programme overcome as ISRO launches GSLV-3 from Sriharikota

A brand new Indian launch vehicle designed to eventually take humans into orbit launched today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India.

The rocket called the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark 3 successfully launched December 18th 2014 at 04:00 UTC. The rocket carried a test space capsule which will splash down in the Bay of Bengal.

The rocket takes with it a Crew module Atmospheric Re-Entry Experiment (CARE) mission. This is basically a capsule that will be taken above the earth's atmosphere by the rocket, and then sent back to earth.

First experimental flight of LVM3 with CARE module successful. pic.twitter.com/1wp1ka0EIo
— ISRO (@isro) December 18, 2014

Arianespace VA221 launches satellites for the United States and India (GSAT-16)

ndia's latest communication satellite GSAT-16 was placed in orbit by Ariane 5 rocket in the early hours today from the space port of Kourou in French Guiana.

The European launcher blasted off at 2.10 AM (IST) and hurled the GSAT-16, designed to augment the national space capacity.Indian satellite's co-passenger DIRECTV-14, built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operator DIRECTV to provide direct-to-home television broadcasts across the US, was also launched by Ariane 5 VA221, marking 63rd successful mission in a row for the rocket.

With a lift-off mass of 3,181 kg, GSAT-16 carries a total of 48 communication transponders, the largest by a communication satellite developed by the ISRO so far.

The DIRECTV-14 spacecraft was deployed first in the flight sequence, separating from Ariane 5 nearly 28 minutes after liftoff, followed four minutes later by its GSAT-16 co-passenger, Arianespace said.

Mars Spacecrafts report in after MarsComet flyby

Spacecraft report in after #MarsComet flyby. http://t.co/kMF6pg2IDd https://t.co/pJBLSkqhst
— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) October 20, 2014

Phew! Experience of a lifetime. Watched the #MarsComet #SidingSpring whizzing past the planet. I'm in my orbit, safe and sound.
— ISRO's Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) October 20, 2014

Indian space agency launches 3rd of 7th satellite constellation of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

PSLV C26 successfully injects navigation satellite IRNSS 1C into the designated orbit. pic.twitter.com/ZJN8XxFTp6
— ISRO (@isro) October 15, 2014

Isro successfully launched IRNSS 1C, the third member of the seven satellite constellation of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), in the wee hours of Thursday.Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) - C26, carrying IRNSS 1C, lifted off from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 1.32am. The satellite detached from the launch vehicle about 20 minutes after the launch at an altitude of 499.63km soaring with a velocity of 9604.87 metre per second. This was the 27th consecutive successful flight of PSLV.

"It is a perfect launch. The injection was very precise and the PSLV was integrated at Sriharikota in 60 days, and there was a team of 1000 members working for the last four days to make this launch a success," said ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan after the launch.Initially, the satellite was injected into a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit with a 282.56km perigee (nearest point to Earth) and 20,670 apogee (farthest point from Earth). Later, it was lifted to a geo-stationary orbit.

The satellite, which is similar in composition to its predecessors 1A and 1B, carries navigation and ranging payloads. It will play a vital role in the IRNSS operations right from guiding drivers on city roads to aerial navigation, disaster management, mapping and surveillance activities.The IRNSS with a 1500km range will make India self-reliant on navigation and surveillance from outer space as it is expected to cover the Asian region. It will be utilized for two services — standard positioning service (SPS) extended to all users and restricted service (RS) which will be encrypted.

Mission director Kunhi Krishnan ​attributed the success of the IRNSS 1C launch to the determination of the scientists and other stake holders.The fourth navigational satellite of the IRNSS segment will be launched in December, and the project will be fully operational next year.

India's Mars Orbiter Mission sends photos of Mars’ moon Phobos

Did you see that? It moved! Oh, it's just Phobos. https://t.co/vaY7w5JjW0
— ISRO's Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) October 14, 2014

Indian space agency's Mars Orbitor sends another full disc image of Mars

Post by ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission.

Anaglyph 3D image of Mars - generated using multiple pictures acquired by Mars Color Camera.

Post by ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation.

India's Mars orbiter spacecraft sends pix of dust storm activities on Mars

Photo - ISRO

India's Mars orbiter has sent a picture of regional dust storm activities over the northern hemisphere of the Red Planet, ISRO said today. "Regional dust storm activities over northern hemisphere of Mars - captured by Mars Color Camera on-board Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)", Bangalore-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on its official Facebook page with a picture.

It said the image was taken from an altitude of 74,500 kms from the surface of Mars. MOM spacecraft had sent its first images of the planet on Thursday, a day after creating history by becoming the only such endeavour so far to have met with success on the maiden attempt.

MOM aims to study the Martian surface and mineral composition and scan its atmosphere for methane, an indicator of life. The spacecraft is equipped with five instruments, including a sensor to track methane or marsh gas, a colour camera and a thermal-imaging spectrometer to map the surface and mineral wealth of the planet.