CONTENTS

Introduction

Sponsored Research

The Sponsored Research Programme (RESPOND) is an important component of the Department of Space (DOS). Under RESPOND, DOS supports research, and educational activities at universities, individual colleges, and Indian Institutes of Technology as well as other Research Institutions. The major programmes supported under RESPOND are (a) Research and developmental projects in important areas of Space Sciences, Applications and Technology (b) Space Technology Cells (c) Space Science and Application Cells (d) Satellite Technology and Applications programme (e) Educational Programmes (f) Chairs instituted by ISRO and (e) Conference, Symposia, Publications and Promotional activities that are relevant to space programme. RESPOND projects are periodically reviewed by different DOS centres and the output and technologies developed are utilised for the DOS programmes. Over the years, RESPOND has also ensured the larger participation of Indian scientists in the space programme, and established a strong academic and infrastructure base, provided a forum for interaction between DOS scientists and academic institutions and generated human resources at the academic institutions to carry out space activities.

During the year, the following projects supported at the academic institutions were completed:
(1) Diatomic molecules of astrophysical interest - their ionisation and dissociation energies, (2) Solar convection and oscillations and their relationship (3) Identification of best sources of coal and conditions to obtain tar suitable for mesosphase pitch required for special application like carbon fibres, (4) Thermally stable organic polymers containing cyclo-phosphazene as pendant groups (5) Vibro-acoustic analysis of launch vehicle structures using statistical energy analysis (6) Finite element non-linear analysis of structures made of composites - solution techniques (7) Geo-scientific modelling of the eastern ghats: a remote sensing approach through database creation and GIS (8) Development of image processing techniques for improved wind estimation using INSAT cloud and water vapour imageries, (9) Development of software technology for epigraphy texts.

During the year 22 new projects were initiated at 22 academic institutions comprising
8 Universities, 7 Colleges and 7 National and Research Institutions. The projects in Space Sciences are: (1) Role of metal cyanogen complexes as prebiotic catalyst, (2)Two-phase flows in composite domains under microgravity conditions (3) Auroral electro-dynamics by kinetic Alfven waves (4) Mosabauer spectroscopic investigation of meteorites and correlation with their pre-terrestrial history, (5) Study of meteorites and their impacts on earth, (6) Non-linear studies, (7) Indian concepts of cosmology (8) Development of automated data analysis techniques for spectroscopic and photo-metric astronomical data, (9) The diffused UV sky on ASTROSAT modelling and (10) Monsoon onset boundary layer experiment.

The projects initiated under space technology are: (1) Structure property correlation in ultra high strength steels, (2) Development and testing of linear motor, (3) Corrosion behaviour characterisation of maraging steel in alkaline and neutral media, (4) Performance of isogrid and some stiffening arrangement in composite arrangement in composite stiffened shells, (5) A study of glass and silicon carbide short fibre reinforced hybrid composite (6) Design and analysis of impact resistance structures.

The Space Application Projects include: (1) Microlevel planning of forest resources
development using high resolution satellite data (2) Cotton growth and yield modelling using spectral agromet observation and GIS (3) Resources utilisation pattern and its impact on the biodiversity in the lake region of district Nainital, Kumaon Himalaya (4) Estimation of Rain parameters from Doppler radars and, (5) Satellite astrometry using radio interferometric techniques.

Five Space Technology Cells (STC), established at reputed academic institutions, are carrying out research and development activities in selected technology areas of direct relevance to space programme: The fifth STC was started during the year. The projects initiated at the STC include: (1) Studies on phase stabilised ammonium nitrate,
(2) Construction of laser Schlieren facility for chemical kinetics studies in a shock tube,
(3) Studies on development of magnetostrictive actuators/sensors for aerospace structural applications, (4) Thermal distortion and vibration control of laminate composite structural members using piezo-electric elements, (5) Fabrication of high volume silicon carbon reinforced aluminium alloys for microwave integrated circuit substrates, (6) Development of sensors for the measurement of lightning currents in the strokes intercepted by the lightning protection system, (7) Boiling and two-phase flow studies of fluids, (8) Modelling of the combustion process in liquid rocket engines, (9) Studies on stratification of liquid propellants, (10) Discrete vortex simulation of oscillatory flow structure interactions in segmented large solid rocket motors, (11) Control of flexible space structures, (12) Study of the effect of container-less and micro-gravity processing of micro-structural paratactic alloys, (13) Study of the effect of containerless and micro-gravity processing on micro-structural development in peritectic, (14) Techniques for analysis of remotely sensed images using neural networks and contextual knowledge, (15) Large angle time optimal spacecraft attitude manoeuvres, (16) Development of two-stage split Stirling cryo-cooler using flexure bearings for spacecraft detector cooling, (17) Ground truth data analysis software for satellite application, (18) Development of technology for Nd doped optical fibre lasers and, (19) Studies on schemes
for satellite-based fixed and mobile services.

Space Application Cell and Space Science Cell have also been established at reputed universities. The research projects being carried under these cells include: (1) Determination of moisture in rubber insulator, (2) Nano particle by Sol-Gel method, (3) Development of fibre optic micro-strain sensors, (4) Study of irradiation effect of Me-V energy electrons on semiconductor device and plastic materials and, (5) Several projects in areas of wind profiling with National MST Radar like precipitation studies, aerosol characteristics, density and temperature structures over Gadanki,.Tirupati. DOS is also supporting a Satellite Technology Applications Programme at an academic institution which leads to post-graduate degree award.

During the year, DOS supported 55 conferences, symposia, educational activities and publication activities in important areas of science, applications and technologies of interest to space programme.

Prof Satish Dhawan Distinguished Professorship, in memory of Prof Satish Dhawan, former Chairman of Space Commission and ISRO, who passed away in January 2002, has been instituted to promote the application of space technology in hitherto unexplored areas.