Indian Space Program: News & Discussions
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We now know the exact location of GSAT-6A communication satellite, says Isro chief
HIGHLIGHTS
GSAT-6A blasts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
NEW DELHI: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) now knows the exact location of communication satellite GSAT-6A with which the signal link got snapped + soon after its launch from Sriharikota on March 29.
Talking to TOI, Isro chairman Dr K Sivan said, “With the help of the satellite tracking system and other sources, we now know the exact location of GSAT-6A. Earlier, we were searching in the dark. But now we know the exact position of the satellite and keeping a close watch on its movement round-the-clock.
We are hopeful that at a particular orientation, it will capture the signal from the ground station and communication will be restored. Currently, GSAT-6A is moving in the geo transfer orbit at perigee of around 26,000km and apogee of about 33,000km.”
On the power front, Dr Sivan said, “We expect that the satellite has the power as its solar panels are fully deployed and getting recharged.” He said, “Currently, two teams are working simultaneously in Isro. One is busy restoring the link with GSAT-6A and the other in preparation of the launch of navigation satellite IRNSS-1I on Thursday.” IRNSS-1I, the eighth satellite to join the constellation of navigation satellites, will be launched at 4.04am on Thursday from Sriharikota by PSLV-C41 and the countdown will start from Tuesday night.
On addition of any new safety mechanism in IRNSS-1I to avoid power failure, the chairman said, “Power systems used in GSAT-6A and IRNSS-1I are totally different. The power system being used in IRNSS-1I is very simple and proven as all seven navigation satellites launched earlier are working successfully.”
IRNSS-1I is being launched to replace first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A, whose three Rubidium atomic clocks (meant to measure precise locatioal data) had stopped working two years ago. The launch of the first replacement satellite IRNSS-1H on August 31 last year was a failure as the satellite got stuck in the heat shield soon after its launch.
On upcoming launches this year, the Isro chairman said, “Before the Chandrayaan-2 launch in the first week of October, we will launch three to four launches. After IRNSS-1H launch on Thursday, we will be busy in the launch of heaviest satellite GSAT-11 weighing over 5 tonne from the Guiana space centre. Thereafter, we will launch GSLV Mk III D2 (Isro’s ‘fat boy’). We are targeting to launch nine satellites after IRNSS-1I launch on Thursday. Almost, one launch every month.”
Isro has been increasing its frequency of launches in recent years in order to meet the national requirement of satellites in the areas of communication, earth observation and navigation.
HIGHLIGHTS
- We now know the exact position of the satellite and keeping a close watch on its movement, said Isro chief
- One of our teams is busy restoring the link with GSAT-6A, he added
GSAT-6A blasts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
NEW DELHI: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) now knows the exact location of communication satellite GSAT-6A with which the signal link got snapped + soon after its launch from Sriharikota on March 29.
Talking to TOI, Isro chairman Dr K Sivan said, “With the help of the satellite tracking system and other sources, we now know the exact location of GSAT-6A. Earlier, we were searching in the dark. But now we know the exact position of the satellite and keeping a close watch on its movement round-the-clock.
We are hopeful that at a particular orientation, it will capture the signal from the ground station and communication will be restored. Currently, GSAT-6A is moving in the geo transfer orbit at perigee of around 26,000km and apogee of about 33,000km.”
On the power front, Dr Sivan said, “We expect that the satellite has the power as its solar panels are fully deployed and getting recharged.” He said, “Currently, two teams are working simultaneously in Isro. One is busy restoring the link with GSAT-6A and the other in preparation of the launch of navigation satellite IRNSS-1I on Thursday.” IRNSS-1I, the eighth satellite to join the constellation of navigation satellites, will be launched at 4.04am on Thursday from Sriharikota by PSLV-C41 and the countdown will start from Tuesday night.
On addition of any new safety mechanism in IRNSS-1I to avoid power failure, the chairman said, “Power systems used in GSAT-6A and IRNSS-1I are totally different. The power system being used in IRNSS-1I is very simple and proven as all seven navigation satellites launched earlier are working successfully.”
IRNSS-1I is being launched to replace first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A, whose three Rubidium atomic clocks (meant to measure precise locatioal data) had stopped working two years ago. The launch of the first replacement satellite IRNSS-1H on August 31 last year was a failure as the satellite got stuck in the heat shield soon after its launch.
On upcoming launches this year, the Isro chairman said, “Before the Chandrayaan-2 launch in the first week of October, we will launch three to four launches. After IRNSS-1H launch on Thursday, we will be busy in the launch of heaviest satellite GSAT-11 weighing over 5 tonne from the Guiana space centre. Thereafter, we will launch GSLV Mk III D2 (Isro’s ‘fat boy’). We are targeting to launch nine satellites after IRNSS-1I launch on Thursday. Almost, one launch every month.”
Isro has been increasing its frequency of launches in recent years in order to meet the national requirement of satellites in the areas of communication, earth observation and navigation.
NAVIC Constellation has been completed:
India completes NavIC constellation with 7th satellite - Times of India
India completes NavIC constellation with 7th satellite - Times of India
Agree completely, a vew from Go Pro HD:
Soyuz Rocket Cam:
Atlas V Rocket Cam:
JAXA, HTV - 2 , 10:33 onwards:
Long March V:
Leaving aside Noteworthy coverage of SPACE - X , Blue Origin or NASA.
India, France holding discussions for inter-planetary missions to Mars, Venus
Space agencies of India and France have been holding discussions to work on inter-planetary missions to Mars and Venus, a French source said. This comes almost a month after the two sides agreed on a joint statement for an enhanced space cooperation.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and French National Space Agency (CNES) had agreed to work together on autonomous navigation of rovers on Moon, Mars and other planets, and aero braking technologies for planetary exploration.
Venus is under-explored compared to Mars. This is why we want to concentrate on Venus. ISRO has confirmed this priority for them. Discussions are also going on for the future Indian Mars mission, said a CNES official.
India has already undertaken two successful inter-planetary missions, 'Chandrayaan-I' to Moon and 'Mangalyaan' to Mars. It is likely to send Chandrayaan-II this month, another mission for exploring the Moon, through which a rover would be landed on Earth's only natural satellite. ISRO also has plans to send another mission to Mars and Venus.
In particular, CNES could provide support to ISRO for the navigation of future moon rovers while the two will jointly work on the models to study Mars and Venus atmospheres, the CNES official said.
CNES could be involved in the definition of the scientific goals and preparatory studies for the future planetary missions of ISRO and both agencies will study the possibility of embarking French science instruments on board the future interplanetary (Moon, Mars and asteroids) Indian missions, the official said.
Venus is Earth's closest neighbour just like Mars. US space probe Mariner 2s flew by Venus on December 14, 1962. Since then more than two dozen missions have been undertaken to explore the planet.
Yet, Venus remains an enigmatic puzzle for scientists. Its surface is shrouded in a perpetual cloud cover and what makes Venus so different from Earth has not been easy to understand.
Indo-French cooperation is very robust in nature and is more than six decades old. India had been using the French facilities for sending its heavy satellites in the orbit. When India was grappling with technological assistance following nuclear tests in 1974, it was France that helped India.
India, France holding discussions for inter-planetary missions to Mars, Venus
Space agencies of India and France have been holding discussions to work on inter-planetary missions to Mars and Venus, a French source said. This comes almost a month after the two sides agreed on a joint statement for an enhanced space cooperation.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and French National Space Agency (CNES) had agreed to work together on autonomous navigation of rovers on Moon, Mars and other planets, and aero braking technologies for planetary exploration.
Venus is under-explored compared to Mars. This is why we want to concentrate on Venus. ISRO has confirmed this priority for them. Discussions are also going on for the future Indian Mars mission, said a CNES official.
India has already undertaken two successful inter-planetary missions, 'Chandrayaan-I' to Moon and 'Mangalyaan' to Mars. It is likely to send Chandrayaan-II this month, another mission for exploring the Moon, through which a rover would be landed on Earth's only natural satellite. ISRO also has plans to send another mission to Mars and Venus.
In particular, CNES could provide support to ISRO for the navigation of future moon rovers while the two will jointly work on the models to study Mars and Venus atmospheres, the CNES official said.
CNES could be involved in the definition of the scientific goals and preparatory studies for the future planetary missions of ISRO and both agencies will study the possibility of embarking French science instruments on board the future interplanetary (Moon, Mars and asteroids) Indian missions, the official said.
Venus is Earth's closest neighbour just like Mars. US space probe Mariner 2s flew by Venus on December 14, 1962. Since then more than two dozen missions have been undertaken to explore the planet.
Yet, Venus remains an enigmatic puzzle for scientists. Its surface is shrouded in a perpetual cloud cover and what makes Venus so different from Earth has not been easy to understand.
Indo-French cooperation is very robust in nature and is more than six decades old. India had been using the French facilities for sending its heavy satellites in the orbit. When India was grappling with technological assistance following nuclear tests in 1974, it was France that helped India.
India, France holding discussions for inter-planetary missions to Mars, Venus