| |
Indian space programme
driven by vision of
Dr Vikram Sarabhai
considered as the father of Indian Space Programme. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
There
are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing
nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of
competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon
or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to
play a meaningful role nationally and in the community of nations, we must be
second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems
of man and society.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Forthcoming
Satellites
|
| RISAT - 1 |
Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) is a microwave
remote sensing satellite carrying a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
The satellite is planned to be launched on board PSLV in 2009-10. The new
technology elements in RISAT include 160 x 4 Mbps bit rate data handling
system, 0.3 Nm reaction wheels, SAR antenna deployment mechanism, 70 V power
bus, thermal control of SAR antenna and phased array antenna with dual
polarization.
|
| RESOURCESAT-2 |
Resourcesat-2 is a follow on mission to Resourcesat-1 to
provide continuity of data. Compared to Resourcesat-1, LISS-4 multi-spectral
swath has been enhanced from 23 km to 70 km based on user needs. Suitable
changes including miniaturization in payload electronics have been incorporated
in Resourcesat-2. Resourcesat-2 is slated for launch during 2009-10.
|
| Megha-Tropiques |
ISRO and French National Space Centre (CNES) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2004-05 for the development and
implementation of Megha-Tropiques (Megha meaning cloud in Sanskrit and
Tropiques meaning tropics in French). The launch of Megha-Tropiques is planned
by 2009-2010.
Megha-Tropiques is aimed at understanding the life cycle of convective systems
and to understand their role in the associated energy and moisture budget of
the atmosphere in the tropical regions. The satellite will carry an Imaging
Radiometer, a six channel Humidity Sounder and GPS Radio Occultation System.
|
| GSAT-4 |
GSAT-4 is envisaged as a technology demonstrator. The
communication payload consists of multi-beam Ka-band bent pipe and regenerative
transponder and navigation payload in C-band, L1 and L5 bands.
|
| INSAT - 3D |
INSAT-3D is a meteorological satellite planned to be launched
in the 2010. The satellite has many new technology elements like star sensor,
micro stepping Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA) to reduce the spacecraft
disturbances and Bus Management Unit (BMU) for control and telecomm
and/telemetry function. It also incorporates new features of bi-annual rotation
and Image and Mirror motion compensations for improved performance of the
meteorological payloads.
|
| SARAL |
The Satellite for ARGOS and ALTIKA (SARAL) is a joint
ISRO-CNES mission, being slated for launch on board PSLV for the third quarter
of 2009. The Ka band altimeter, ALTIKA, provided by CNES payload consists of a
Ka-band radar altimeter, operating at 35.75 GHz. A dual frequency total power
type microwave radiometer (23.8 and 37 GHz) is embedded in the altimeter to
correct tropospheric effects on the altimeter measurement. Doppler Orbitography
and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) on board enables precise
determination of the orbit. A Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) helps to
calibrate the precise orbit determination system and the altimeter system
several times throughout the mission.
|
| ASTROSAT |
ASTROSAT is a multi-wavelength space borne astronomy satellite
to be launched during 2009-10. This will be the first dedicated Indian
astronomy mission. ASTROSAT has wide spectral coverage extending over visible,
UV, soft X ray and hard X ray regions. This spacecraft would enable
observations on the celestial bodies in both X-ray and UV spectral bands
simultaneously. The scientific payloads cover the Visible (3500-6000 Å), UV
(1300-3000 Å), soft and hard X-ray regimes (0.5-8 keV; 3-80 keV).
|
| GSAT-5 / INSAT-4D |
It is a C-band and Extended C-band satellite, carrying 18 transponders. Of
these, 12 transponders will operate in the Normal C-band with wider coverage in
uplink and downlink to cover Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe/Zonal coverage. 6
transponders will operate in Extended C-band and have India coverage. The
option of incorporating L-band is under considerationIt will be launched
onboard GSLV during 2010 and positioned at 82 deg E longitude.
|
| GSAT-6 / INSAT-4E |
The primary goal of GSAT-6/INSAT-4E which is a Multimedia
mobile S-band satellite is to cater to the consumer requirements of providing
entertainment and information services to vehicles through Digital Multimedia
consoles and to the Multimedia Mobile Phones. The spacecraft will be positioned
at 83 degree East longitude with a mission life of 12 years. The satellite is
planned to be launched during 2010 by GSLV.
|
| GSAT-7 / INSAT-4F |
GSAT-7/INSAT-4F is proposed as a multi-band satellite carrying
payloads in UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band
|
| GSAT-8 / INSAT-4G |
GSAT-8/INSAT-4G is proposed as a Ku-band satellite carrying 24
transponders similar to that of INSAT-4A and INSAT-4B. It will also carry the
second GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload. The satellite is
expected to be launched during 2010 and positioned at 55 degree E longitude.
|
|
|
| Top |
| Launch
Vehicle / Forthcoming Launches
|
|
GSLV-D3
Preparations for the next flight Geo-synchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D3) carrying GSAT-4 is in advanced stage. The GSLV-D3 is
expected to use indigenous cryogenic engine and will place the GSAT-4 in
geosynchronous transfer orbit. GSLV-D3 is scheduled for launch during 2009.
GSLV-F06
Preparations for the next flight Geo-synchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06) carrying INSAT-3D is in advanced stage of
realisation. The GSLV-F06 is expected be launched during 2009-10.
GSLV-Mk III
GSLV-Mk III is envisaged to launch four tonne satellite into
geosynchronous transfer orbit. GSLV-Mk III is a three-stage vehicle with a 110
tonne core liquid propellant stage (L-110) and a strap-on stage with two solid
propellant motors, each with 200 tonne propellant (S-200). The upper stage will
be cryogenic with a propellant loading of 25 tonne (C-25). GSLV Mk-III will
have a lift-off weight of about 629 tonne and will be 42.4 m tall. The payload
fairing will have a diameter of 5 metre and a payload volume of 100 cubic
metre.
|
|
| Top |
| Reusable
Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)
|
|
As a first step towards realizing a Two Stage To
Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable launch vehicle, a series of technology
demonstration missions have been conceived. For this purpose a Winged Reusable
Launch Vehicle technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) has been configured. The RLV-TD
will act as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies viz., hypersonic
flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using
air breathing propulsion. First in the series of demonstration trials is the
hypersonic flight experiment (HEX).
|
|
| Human
Space Flight Mission Programme
|
|
The department has carried out a detailed study on the feasibility of
undertaking indigenous human space flight mission with an aim to build and
demonstrate the capability for carrying humans to low earth orbit and their
return to earth. The programme envisages development of a fully autonomous
orbital vehicle carrying two or three crew members to 275 km low earth orbit
and their safe return. It is planned to realise the programme in about seven
years time frame.
|
|
| Top |
| Space
Science Missions
|
|
Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-II)
The main objective of SRE II is to realize a
fully recoverable capsule and provide a platform to conduct microgravity
experiments on Micro-biology, Agriculture, Powder Metallurgy, etc.
Aditya-1
The First Indian space based Solar Coronagraph to
study solar Corona in visible and near IR bands. Launch of the Aditya mission
is planned during the next high solar activity period ~ 2012
Objectives:
-
To study the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and consequently the
crucial physical parameters for space weather such as the coronal magnetic
field structures, evolution of the coronal magnetic field etc.,
-
Provide completely new information on the velocity fields and
their variability in the inner corona having an important bearing on the
unsolved problem of heating of the corona would be obtained.
YOUTHSAT
A joint scientific mission between India and
Russia with participation of youth from both the countries to celebrate the
golden Jubilee of the satellite era.
The second satellite in the micro satellite series proposed is YOUTHSAT which
will carry payloads of scientific interest with participation of youths from
Universities at graduate, post graduate and research scholar level. Youth from
universities will participate from testing of the payloads in laboratory up to
utilization of the data from payloads. Participation of youth will inculcate
interest in space related activities and provide opportunities for realization
of future payloads for scientific experiments. The micro satellite bus is
planned and designed to carry different kinds of payloads like earth imaging,
atmospheric applications, weather monitoring, stellar observations, scientific
experiments etc.
YOUTHSAT is planned to be launched as auxiliary satellite along with any remote
sensing satellite planned for launch during 2009-10 in a polar sun-synchronous
orbit of local time of around 0900 to 1030 hrs.
|
|
| Top |
| Satellite
Navigation
|
|
GAGAN
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to
implement an indigenous Satellite-Based Regional GPS Augmentation System also
known as Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) as part of the Satellite-Based
Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)/Air Traffic Management (ATM)
plan for civil aviation. The Indian SBAS system has been given an acronym GAGAN
- GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. A national plan for satellite navigation
including implementation of Technology Demonstration System (TDS) over the
Indian air space as a proof of concept has been prepared jointly by Airports
Authority of India (AAI) and ISRO. TDS was successfully completed during 2007
by installing eight Indian Reference Stations (INRESs) at eight Indian airports
and linked to the Master Control Center (MCC) located near Bangalore.
The first navigation payload is being fabricated and it is proposed to be flown
on GSAT-4 which is expected to be launched in 2009. Two more payloads will be
subsequently flown, one each on two geostationary satellites GSAT-8 and
GSAT-12.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
|
|
 |
