Indian Space Program: News & Discussions
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5 Unique Space Science Missions That ISRO Will Be Flying in the Near Future
5 Unique Space Science Missions That ISRO Will Be Flying in the Near Future
Missing gamma ray puzzle solved
The sources of highly energetic cosmic rays were a mystery until recently
By TV Venkatesawaran
Last Updated: Monday 29 July 2019
Eyebrows are sure to rise if you see someone who is ninety plus yet not having a shred of grey hair. Likewise, billions of years old galaxy clusters having witnessed astounding dynamic events including cataclysmic collision of galaxies, yet not a trace of gamma rays was a long-standing puzzle in the cosmology.
An international team of researchers led by Surajit Paul of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and a visiting associate of Pune-based Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) has revealed the entire process of production of cosmic rays in galaxy clusters and solved the long-standing puzzle of non-detection of Gamma Rays from them.
Universe has a hierarchical structure from a humble 'star-planet system' like the solar system at the bottom to massive galaxy cluster with trillion of stars at the top. Most stars in the universe are not single like Sun but are two or more stars going around each other.
Stars in a region are bound by their mutual gravity to form local clusters. Sun and all the stars that we see with naked eye are part of a cosmic structure called the galaxy. There are trillions of galaxies like our Milky Way and our neighbourhood galaxies Magellanic Clouds and Andromeda in our universe.
Several constellations are bound by mutual gravitational interaction to become Galaxy Clusters. Our Milky Way and the nearest galaxy Andromeda are part of the Galaxy Cluster called Local Group. Thousand to 10,000 such groups of galaxy clusters cohere to become galactic superclusters. Our Milky Way is part of the Virgo Supercluster which is but one among the 10 million superclusters known in the Universe.
Usually consisting of hundreds to thousands of galaxies, a typical galaxy cluster is about 10 billion years old. During this long lifetime, a galaxy cluster witnesses all possible dynamic events such as star formation, explosion of stars into supernova activity, galaxy and galaxy group formation and structure mergers at all levels.
Everything that can happen with stars and galaxies materialises and transpire not just once, but often.
With hundreds and thousands of galaxy clusters swarming around, it is no wonder that one time or other two of them should come in collision path. Two clusters of galaxies with billions of stars bang into each other, creating one of the most spectacular cosmic fireworks.
Like any collision, this too throws light and spark. Merging clusters of galaxies throw out immense X-ray radiation lighting up the sky and high energy cosmic rays radiate in all directions.
Cosmic rays are high energy accelerated particles like electrons and protons racing in all the directions in space. Detected for the first time in 1912, Victor Hess, a cosmic ray pioneer, described it as a "radiation of very great penetrating power enters our atmosphere from above".
While to a great extent the thick atmosphere enveloping the earth protects us but astronauts and electronics in space face a danger from constant rain of Cosmic Rays from every direction.
Among these detected cosmic rays some are extremely energetic called ultra-high-energy cosmic rays with energy greater than 10^18 electronvolts.
What are the sources of these highly energetic cosmic rays? It was a mystery until recently. Mainly composed of charged particles, cosmic rays are attracted or repulsed by magnetic and electrical fields, travel twisted and turned.
Thus, unlike say light or X-rays, the source of the emission is not possible to pinpoint. "Shocks emerging out of merger of clusters of galaxies as well as accretion of matter around the periphery of the clusters is postulated to produce them. Hence the galaxy clusters are considered to be reservoirs of cosmic rays," says Samir Dhurde, science educator, astronomer and a member of the Public Outreach and Education Committee of Astronomical Society of India.
Typical cosmic rays produced by shock waves of two merging galaxy clusters contain high energy electrons and protons. All things being equal a black pot will cool faster than a white pot, like manner, a high energy proton has a more considerable radiative cooling time compared to an energetic electron. Having such a high cooling time, protons accelerated by accretion shocks at the outskirts of the cluster can accumulate in the galaxy clusters.
“Such energetic protons, while they eventually decay, must emit gamma rays. One would expect that the galaxy cluster to shine bright in gamma rays. Puzzlingly even the most sensitive Gamma-ray telescopes in the world have not been able to find even a glimmer of gamma rays from the galaxy clusters,” says Dhurde.
“Puzzle, what puzzle? We have been looking at the wrong direction,” says Surajit Paul.
Paul and his team simulated various scenarios of a galaxy cluster collision. In these simulations, one curious aspect stood out. As the collision progressed, the merging galaxy clusters first emitted bright X-rays and subsequently faded.
After a lapse of time, the high energy cosmic rays gained strength. "Astronomers were looking for gamma rays from X-ray bright merge state galaxy clusters, while gamma-ray producing cosmic rays become intensified afterwards, generally after the X-ray emission is faded. Thus, it is no wonder that they found no evidence of gamma rays from galaxy collision so far," says Paul.
After bumping into each other, two fast-moving objects can be seen to move in the opposite direction. Likewise, as two or more cluster of galaxies slam into each other, the inter-cluster matter between clusters rebounds at supersonic velocities. Inter-cluster matter, mainly made up of gases, moving in supersonic velocities heats up and emits X-rays.
The collision also produces turbulence and shock waves in the medium. The energy from the turbulence and shock wave are taken up by charged particles like electrons and protons that are abundant in intergalactic medium.
The charged particles get accelerated continuously and subsequently gain enough energy to radiate in all directions. These charged particles emanating from the galaxy clusters eventually become cosmic rays.
Colliding galaxies produce copious X rays and cosmic rays, but the source of ultra-high energy cosmic rays cannot be pinpointed. Thus, until now, when looking for a tell-tale sign of galaxy collision, astronomers searched for bright X-ray emission from galaxy clusters.
"However, like there is a delay in the arrival of lightning and thunder, there is a delay in X-ray brightening and cosmic ray intensity. While the astronomers hereto were looking at the bright x ray merging cluster of galaxies, Gamma rays emanate from the cosmic ray emission.
Thus, until now, the astronomers were looking at the wrong target" explains Dr Dhurde. This study thus would help astronomers to identify the apt target to study gamma rays from galaxy cluster merging events.
Computing various scenarios of galaxy merger is not a pen and paper job. High-Performance Computing is essential. IUCAA is a national facility set up to give access to universities to undertake world-class research.
Recently IUCAA has set up a High-Performance Computing facility capable of intricate simulations. Paul and his former PhD student Reju Sam John, earlier from the University of Pondicherry used these facilities to perform the computations.
Paul says, "It means a lot when you produce cutting-edge science after extensive use of your systems available in national research institutions like IUCAA. This experience strengthened our confidence to test and build the indigenous capabilities to meet global standards and go beyond."
Along with Paul and John, the study team included Luigi Lapichino (Leibnitz Super-Computer Centre, Germany); Karl Mannheim (University of Wuerzburg, Germany); and Prof. Harish Kumar (Pondicherry Engineering College).
The study funded under the DST-SERB Young Scientist Fellowship scheme has been published in the Monthly Notices of Royal Astronomical Society. (India Science Wire)
Missing gamma ray puzzle solved
The sources of highly energetic cosmic rays were a mystery until recently
By TV Venkatesawaran
Last Updated: Monday 29 July 2019
Eyebrows are sure to rise if you see someone who is ninety plus yet not having a shred of grey hair. Likewise, billions of years old galaxy clusters having witnessed astounding dynamic events including cataclysmic collision of galaxies, yet not a trace of gamma rays was a long-standing puzzle in the cosmology.
An international team of researchers led by Surajit Paul of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and a visiting associate of Pune-based Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) has revealed the entire process of production of cosmic rays in galaxy clusters and solved the long-standing puzzle of non-detection of Gamma Rays from them.
Universe has a hierarchical structure from a humble 'star-planet system' like the solar system at the bottom to massive galaxy cluster with trillion of stars at the top. Most stars in the universe are not single like Sun but are two or more stars going around each other.
Stars in a region are bound by their mutual gravity to form local clusters. Sun and all the stars that we see with naked eye are part of a cosmic structure called the galaxy. There are trillions of galaxies like our Milky Way and our neighbourhood galaxies Magellanic Clouds and Andromeda in our universe.
Several constellations are bound by mutual gravitational interaction to become Galaxy Clusters. Our Milky Way and the nearest galaxy Andromeda are part of the Galaxy Cluster called Local Group. Thousand to 10,000 such groups of galaxy clusters cohere to become galactic superclusters. Our Milky Way is part of the Virgo Supercluster which is but one among the 10 million superclusters known in the Universe.
Usually consisting of hundreds to thousands of galaxies, a typical galaxy cluster is about 10 billion years old. During this long lifetime, a galaxy cluster witnesses all possible dynamic events such as star formation, explosion of stars into supernova activity, galaxy and galaxy group formation and structure mergers at all levels.
Everything that can happen with stars and galaxies materialises and transpire not just once, but often.
With hundreds and thousands of galaxy clusters swarming around, it is no wonder that one time or other two of them should come in collision path. Two clusters of galaxies with billions of stars bang into each other, creating one of the most spectacular cosmic fireworks.
Like any collision, this too throws light and spark. Merging clusters of galaxies throw out immense X-ray radiation lighting up the sky and high energy cosmic rays radiate in all directions.
Cosmic rays are high energy accelerated particles like electrons and protons racing in all the directions in space. Detected for the first time in 1912, Victor Hess, a cosmic ray pioneer, described it as a "radiation of very great penetrating power enters our atmosphere from above".
While to a great extent the thick atmosphere enveloping the earth protects us but astronauts and electronics in space face a danger from constant rain of Cosmic Rays from every direction.
Among these detected cosmic rays some are extremely energetic called ultra-high-energy cosmic rays with energy greater than 10^18 electronvolts.
What are the sources of these highly energetic cosmic rays? It was a mystery until recently. Mainly composed of charged particles, cosmic rays are attracted or repulsed by magnetic and electrical fields, travel twisted and turned.
Thus, unlike say light or X-rays, the source of the emission is not possible to pinpoint. "Shocks emerging out of merger of clusters of galaxies as well as accretion of matter around the periphery of the clusters is postulated to produce them. Hence the galaxy clusters are considered to be reservoirs of cosmic rays," says Samir Dhurde, science educator, astronomer and a member of the Public Outreach and Education Committee of Astronomical Society of India.
Typical cosmic rays produced by shock waves of two merging galaxy clusters contain high energy electrons and protons. All things being equal a black pot will cool faster than a white pot, like manner, a high energy proton has a more considerable radiative cooling time compared to an energetic electron. Having such a high cooling time, protons accelerated by accretion shocks at the outskirts of the cluster can accumulate in the galaxy clusters.
“Such energetic protons, while they eventually decay, must emit gamma rays. One would expect that the galaxy cluster to shine bright in gamma rays. Puzzlingly even the most sensitive Gamma-ray telescopes in the world have not been able to find even a glimmer of gamma rays from the galaxy clusters,” says Dhurde.
“Puzzle, what puzzle? We have been looking at the wrong direction,” says Surajit Paul.
Paul and his team simulated various scenarios of a galaxy cluster collision. In these simulations, one curious aspect stood out. As the collision progressed, the merging galaxy clusters first emitted bright X-rays and subsequently faded.
After a lapse of time, the high energy cosmic rays gained strength. "Astronomers were looking for gamma rays from X-ray bright merge state galaxy clusters, while gamma-ray producing cosmic rays become intensified afterwards, generally after the X-ray emission is faded. Thus, it is no wonder that they found no evidence of gamma rays from galaxy collision so far," says Paul.
After bumping into each other, two fast-moving objects can be seen to move in the opposite direction. Likewise, as two or more cluster of galaxies slam into each other, the inter-cluster matter between clusters rebounds at supersonic velocities. Inter-cluster matter, mainly made up of gases, moving in supersonic velocities heats up and emits X-rays.
The collision also produces turbulence and shock waves in the medium. The energy from the turbulence and shock wave are taken up by charged particles like electrons and protons that are abundant in intergalactic medium.
The charged particles get accelerated continuously and subsequently gain enough energy to radiate in all directions. These charged particles emanating from the galaxy clusters eventually become cosmic rays.
Colliding galaxies produce copious X rays and cosmic rays, but the source of ultra-high energy cosmic rays cannot be pinpointed. Thus, until now, when looking for a tell-tale sign of galaxy collision, astronomers searched for bright X-ray emission from galaxy clusters.
"However, like there is a delay in the arrival of lightning and thunder, there is a delay in X-ray brightening and cosmic ray intensity. While the astronomers hereto were looking at the bright x ray merging cluster of galaxies, Gamma rays emanate from the cosmic ray emission.
Thus, until now, the astronomers were looking at the wrong target" explains Dr Dhurde. This study thus would help astronomers to identify the apt target to study gamma rays from galaxy cluster merging events.
Computing various scenarios of galaxy merger is not a pen and paper job. High-Performance Computing is essential. IUCAA is a national facility set up to give access to universities to undertake world-class research.
Recently IUCAA has set up a High-Performance Computing facility capable of intricate simulations. Paul and his former PhD student Reju Sam John, earlier from the University of Pondicherry used these facilities to perform the computations.
Paul says, "It means a lot when you produce cutting-edge science after extensive use of your systems available in national research institutions like IUCAA. This experience strengthened our confidence to test and build the indigenous capabilities to meet global standards and go beyond."
Along with Paul and John, the study team included Luigi Lapichino (Leibnitz Super-Computer Centre, Germany); Karl Mannheim (University of Wuerzburg, Germany); and Prof. Harish Kumar (Pondicherry Engineering College).
The study funded under the DST-SERB Young Scientist Fellowship scheme has been published in the Monthly Notices of Royal Astronomical Society. (India Science Wire)
Missing gamma ray puzzle solved
EconomicTimes (@EconomicTimes) Tweeted:
Monday marks the birth centenary of this remarkable figure who founded the Indian space programme The man with big ears, and big dreams that took India to the moon ( )
Monday marks the birth centenary of this remarkable figure who founded the Indian space programme The man with big ears, and big dreams that took India to the moon ( )
"Keeping within the Q4 2019 launch window, Kleos will now launch under a rideshare contract with Spaceflight Inc. on the PSLV into a 37-degree inclination orbit.
The scouting satellites are ready to fly. The Kleos team has analysed and confirmed compatibility with the satellites flying in a 37-degree inclination. Unlike most earth observation missions which fly in an SSO to allow for the sun to illuminate their targets for imagery, Kleos technology means its satellites can observe RF transmissions at any time of day because they are not dependant on sunlight.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a highly reliable expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The original SSO is nearly a polar orbit that maintains its relationship with the sun which is useful for power generation and for missions that rely on illumination of the target. SSO gave full global coverage, with good revisit times of the polar areas. PSLV C49 is in a 37-degree inclination, which is where the satellites orbit traverses between 37° North latitude and 37° South latitude. The coverage is broadly bounded by Lisbon in the North and Melbourne in the South delivering far improved revisit times around the equatorial regions at the expense of coverage in the far North and South"
Kleos Space changes satellite orbits to meet market demand - Media Releases - CSO | The Resource for Data Security Executives
The scouting satellites are ready to fly. The Kleos team has analysed and confirmed compatibility with the satellites flying in a 37-degree inclination. Unlike most earth observation missions which fly in an SSO to allow for the sun to illuminate their targets for imagery, Kleos technology means its satellites can observe RF transmissions at any time of day because they are not dependant on sunlight.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a highly reliable expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The original SSO is nearly a polar orbit that maintains its relationship with the sun which is useful for power generation and for missions that rely on illumination of the target. SSO gave full global coverage, with good revisit times of the polar areas. PSLV C49 is in a 37-degree inclination, which is where the satellites orbit traverses between 37° North latitude and 37° South latitude. The coverage is broadly bounded by Lisbon in the North and Melbourne in the South delivering far improved revisit times around the equatorial regions at the expense of coverage in the far North and South"
Kleos Space changes satellite orbits to meet market demand - Media Releases - CSO | The Resource for Data Security Executives
The Second Vehicle Assembly Building(SVAB) in SDSC seems to have been specifically designed keeping future ULV/HLV in mind. ISRO does simulations of assembly operations of all their rockets in any VAB before finalising the design and building it.
Here you can see a render of the GSLV Mk-3 in the SVAB :
Rendering in service rockets is pretty obvious, but what to make of this :
Here is a render of an un-identified rocket inside the SVAB :
Here is another picture of the same un-identified rocket :
That rocket isn't GSLV Mk3, but something longer and bigger. Is it HLV/ULV ?
A few years back ISRO spoke of the development of a 65m tall, 732.6 ton HLV. Though previously the HLV was thought to be 55.7m tall. Also, if they're giving out weight figures in decimals, they have done their math on this. Here is the article :
India to build its heaviest rocket to carry 10-tonne satellites
Some time back VSSC released a HLV render :
Here is a line drawing of GSLV Mk3 in SVAB :
Here is how the previous 55.7m HLV sits in the SVAB(note the additional +7m is the height of the pedestal) compared to the GSLV Mk3 :
And now the 65m HLV :
Fits like a glove. Just barely, I mean.
Oh and a few tenders for the SVAB:
Wheel bogie :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/SDSC SHAR-HPS-PT-08-2015-16-2.pdf
Special purpose hauler :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/pt_14_01.pdf
Here is pic of SVAB under construction :
In an advanced stage of construction :
And it is completed :
Why is it pink ?? The graphics look cool though.
The SVAB was supposed to be inaugurated on 22 July 2018. Don't know if it actually happened or not.
Here you can see a render of the GSLV Mk-3 in the SVAB :
Rendering in service rockets is pretty obvious, but what to make of this :
Here is a render of an un-identified rocket inside the SVAB :
Here is another picture of the same un-identified rocket :
That rocket isn't GSLV Mk3, but something longer and bigger. Is it HLV/ULV ?
A few years back ISRO spoke of the development of a 65m tall, 732.6 ton HLV. Though previously the HLV was thought to be 55.7m tall. Also, if they're giving out weight figures in decimals, they have done their math on this. Here is the article :
India to build its heaviest rocket to carry 10-tonne satellites
Some time back VSSC released a HLV render :
Here is a line drawing of GSLV Mk3 in SVAB :
Here is how the previous 55.7m HLV sits in the SVAB(note the additional +7m is the height of the pedestal) compared to the GSLV Mk3 :
And now the 65m HLV :
Fits like a glove. Just barely, I mean.
Oh and a few tenders for the SVAB:
Wheel bogie :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/SDSC SHAR-HPS-PT-08-2015-16-2.pdf
Special purpose hauler :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/pt_14_01.pdf
Here is pic of SVAB under construction :
In an advanced stage of construction :
And it is completed :
Why is it pink ?? The graphics look cool though.
The SVAB was supposed to be inaugurated on 22 July 2018. Don't know if it actually happened or not.
Wow..., some nice pictures from SLV/ASLV era. Very hard to get any decent picture of these, may we know the source? Or do you Sir, happen to have additional material on the initial stages of ISRO launchers?
Also wasn't the HLV proposal discarded in favour of the ULV family?
Is it operational?
Also wasn't the HLV proposal discarded in favour of the ULV family?
I kept googling for 2 whole days.
Eventually found some slides from an old ISRO presentation.
SLV and ASLV you mean ? Nothing notable as of yet. I will post if I find some more photos.
Don't know. ISRO has gone complete radio silent on it. Or maybe I missed something.
Yes it was. The ULV family also has a heavy launcher called HLV. As it turns out ISRO changed the proposed missile but didn't bother changing the name of the missile. That often causes a lot of confusion.
Also it seems its not just NASA that's interested in nuclear propulsion :
ISRO arm begins search for PSLV makers
By Madhumathi D.S.
BENGALURU, August 16, 2019 22:04 IST
Photo : PSLV-C45 lifts off.(Courtesy ISRO)
NSIL invites expressions of interest from one or more experienced companies to produce launchers
NewSpace India Ltd, the new public sector space business company, on Friday launched a formal search for industry consortia which can regularly manufacture and deliver entire PSLV satellite launch vehicles for its parent, the Indian Space Research Organisation.
It will initially outsource five PSLVs — Indian rockets that can lift light payloads to ‘low earth orbits’ some 600 km in space. NSIL has called a pre-bid meeting of potential parties on August 26.
The four-stage PSLV is needed to place both Indian remote sensing satellites and small satellites of foreign customers to space.
Formed in March
NSIL was formed in March this year to promote Indian space commerce. In its first tender it invited expressions of interest or EoIs from one or more experienced companies or consortia to produce the launchers end to end: their job starts from component procuring, electronics, to large stages and finally the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of the vehicles. Selected parties can use ISRO facilities where required, it said.
In the August 16 document titled 'EoI for PSLV production by Indian industry consortium', NSIL said, “With a target of producing 12 PSLVs per annum through Indian industry, NSIL/ ISRO, as a first step, is looking forward to [realising] 5 PSLVs,” through selected companies or consortia.
“Upon successful and satisfactory completion of realisation of 5 PSLVs, NSIL/ISRO will enhance the scope to 12 PSLVs per annum under a separate contract.”
Two a month
At the Bengaluru Space Expo held a year ago, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan had urged industries to relieve ISRO of the manufacturing burden, saying the space agency must do 59 launches by 2021 and needed a PSLV strike rate of two a month.
Of the over ₹6,000 crore sanctioned last year for the cost of 30 PSLVs required during 2019-24, 85% of the money would go to industries, he had said.
ISRO currently sources separate rocket parts from around 500 big and small vendors and does the AIT itself at its facilities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Core job
For almost a decade, it has been planning to hand the production over to public and private industries and itself focus on its core job of space R&D.
On the satellite side, groups of industries are already helping ISRO in AIT at the Bengaluru-based U.R. Rao Satellite Centre and have produced a couple of mid-sized satellites.
ISRO also has two increasingly more powerful launchers in that order — the GSLV and the GSLV-Mk III, used to lift 2,000 kg and 4,000 kg communication satellites to higher orbits.
ISRO arm begins search for PSLV makers
By Madhumathi D.S.
BENGALURU, August 16, 2019 22:04 IST
Photo : PSLV-C45 lifts off.(Courtesy ISRO)
NSIL invites expressions of interest from one or more experienced companies to produce launchers
NewSpace India Ltd, the new public sector space business company, on Friday launched a formal search for industry consortia which can regularly manufacture and deliver entire PSLV satellite launch vehicles for its parent, the Indian Space Research Organisation.
It will initially outsource five PSLVs — Indian rockets that can lift light payloads to ‘low earth orbits’ some 600 km in space. NSIL has called a pre-bid meeting of potential parties on August 26.
The four-stage PSLV is needed to place both Indian remote sensing satellites and small satellites of foreign customers to space.
Formed in March
NSIL was formed in March this year to promote Indian space commerce. In its first tender it invited expressions of interest or EoIs from one or more experienced companies or consortia to produce the launchers end to end: their job starts from component procuring, electronics, to large stages and finally the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of the vehicles. Selected parties can use ISRO facilities where required, it said.
In the August 16 document titled 'EoI for PSLV production by Indian industry consortium', NSIL said, “With a target of producing 12 PSLVs per annum through Indian industry, NSIL/ ISRO, as a first step, is looking forward to [realising] 5 PSLVs,” through selected companies or consortia.
“Upon successful and satisfactory completion of realisation of 5 PSLVs, NSIL/ISRO will enhance the scope to 12 PSLVs per annum under a separate contract.”
Two a month
At the Bengaluru Space Expo held a year ago, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan had urged industries to relieve ISRO of the manufacturing burden, saying the space agency must do 59 launches by 2021 and needed a PSLV strike rate of two a month.
Of the over ₹6,000 crore sanctioned last year for the cost of 30 PSLVs required during 2019-24, 85% of the money would go to industries, he had said.
ISRO currently sources separate rocket parts from around 500 big and small vendors and does the AIT itself at its facilities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Core job
For almost a decade, it has been planning to hand the production over to public and private industries and itself focus on its core job of space R&D.
On the satellite side, groups of industries are already helping ISRO in AIT at the Bengaluru-based U.R. Rao Satellite Centre and have produced a couple of mid-sized satellites.
ISRO also has two increasingly more powerful launchers in that order — the GSLV and the GSLV-Mk III, used to lift 2,000 kg and 4,000 kg communication satellites to higher orbits.
ISRO arm begins search for PSLV makers
PS : if already posted, im more than happy to remove this post
If they can do this, a great milestone. Currently most of the liquid stage components are from industry. Would be great if the private industry like Solar explosives or so can do the Solid stages. Then we truly have an industrial base for production of rockets not only for space applications but other strategic needs too.
