Indian Space Program: News & Discussions
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A Major Milestone has been reached!
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
12 November 2024
The team has excelled themselves in completing all the stand alone testing required in the SP-1B facility allowing for the transfer of the satellites to the SP-2B facility where the CSC satellite will undergo a fit check with the launcher payload adapter (PLA) prior to the start of the fuelling activities.
The satellites were packed ready to be loaded on the trucks.
The satellites arrived in SP-2B, were allowed to acclimatise overnight in the airlock and today had their lids removed to allow them to be pushed into the cleanroom.
The team then had a rest to gain energy for the fit check with the LVA
The CSC spacecraft was then lifted and moved over to be mounted on the LVA.
And then carefully lowered and mated on the LVA. The clampband holding the two together was then installed to ensure a perfect fit.
With the CSC spacecraft mated on the LVA the umbilical cables allowing the spacecraft to be monitored during fueling and launch were installed and tested to ensure they connected and, importantly, disconnected when the clampband opened and the satellite separated from the LVA.
With the checks completed the team was able to have some food and well earned rest.
The team also said farewell to some colleagues but welcomed others arriving today.
A Major Milestone has been reached! – Proba-3 blog
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
12 November 2024
The team has excelled themselves in completing all the stand alone testing required in the SP-1B facility allowing for the transfer of the satellites to the SP-2B facility where the CSC satellite will undergo a fit check with the launcher payload adapter (PLA) prior to the start of the fuelling activities.
The satellites were packed ready to be loaded on the trucks.
The satellites arrived in SP-2B, were allowed to acclimatise overnight in the airlock and today had their lids removed to allow them to be pushed into the cleanroom.
The team then had a rest to gain energy for the fit check with the LVA
The CSC spacecraft was then lifted and moved over to be mounted on the LVA.
And then carefully lowered and mated on the LVA. The clampband holding the two together was then installed to ensure a perfect fit.
With the CSC spacecraft mated on the LVA the umbilical cables allowing the spacecraft to be monitored during fueling and launch were installed and tested to ensure they connected and, importantly, disconnected when the clampband opened and the satellite separated from the LVA.
With the checks completed the team was able to have some food and well earned rest.
The team also said farewell to some colleagues but welcomed others arriving today.
A Major Milestone has been reached! – Proba-3 blog
ISRO's current R&D thrust:
Concept of the 3rd launch pad at SHAR & the new SSLV pad at Tuticorin:
Quantum comms R&D is moving towards operationalization:
NavIC constellation is set to expand:
ISRO plans to make 60+ LVM3 launchers over the next decade or so:
Snip off tech transferred from ISRO to various industry:
Concept of the 3rd launch pad at SHAR & the new SSLV pad at Tuticorin:
Quantum comms R&D is moving towards operationalization:
NavIC constellation is set to expand:
ISRO plans to make 60+ LVM3 launchers over the next decade or so:
Snip off tech transferred from ISRO to various industry:
The next phase
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
16 November 2024
With the satellites tested and fit for flight the team from ArianeGroup are here to perform the propulsion activities starting with checking the the integrity of the subsystems and finishing with the hydrazine fueling of the CSC satellite.
Here you can see the setup and execution of the ongoing pressurization activities.
And once the pressure exceeded a certain safety limit extra protection was required by the team.
Under Pressure!!
The ArianeGroup fueling team have done an amazing job testing both satellites and filling the OSC with 268 bar of nitrogen for flight. The CSC was pressurised to MEOP to allow leak testing to be performed.
During the activities what we could see from the control room looked like a SWOT team had raided the facilities.
Leak testing has its challenges…..especially wearing a bullet proof vest and helmet!
Also, earlier in the day the two hydrazine drums were delivered to the facility for acclimatization in preparation for fueling.
Satellite Stacking
With the OSC being successfully fueled and the final preparation activities completed the satellites could be stacked as they are installed on the launcher already attached to one another and it is only during commissioning that the clampband holding the satellites together is released and they separate.
In preparation the upper cone from the CSC was removed and fitted to the vertical integration stand allowing the OSC to be lowered on to it and the clampband fitted.
The OSC, clampband and cone was then lifted and lowered onto the CSC where the cone and umbilicals could be installed and mated.
The stacked satellites were then transferred back to the vertical integration stand in preparation for the next important activity, the hydrazine fueling of the CSC, after which the satellites will be ready to be transferred to the launcher in SP3.
It was a long day for the team who did a remarkable job stacking the satellites. Now off back to the guest house for a well earned meal.
Satellite Stacking – Proba-3 blog
With the OSC being successfully fueled and the final preparation activities completed the satellites could be stacked as they are installed on the launcher already attached to one another and it is only during commissioning that the clampband holding the satellites together is released and they separate.
In preparation the upper cone from the CSC was removed and fitted to the vertical integration stand allowing the OSC to be lowered on to it and the clampband fitted.
The OSC, clampband and cone was then lifted and lowered onto the CSC where the cone and umbilicals could be installed and mated.
The stacked satellites were then transferred back to the vertical integration stand in preparation for the next important activity, the hydrazine fueling of the CSC, after which the satellites will be ready to be transferred to the launcher in SP3.
It was a long day for the team who did a remarkable job stacking the satellites. Now off back to the guest house for a well earned meal.
Satellite Stacking – Proba-3 blog
Fully Loaded!
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
23 November 2024
Today the team came in early to start the preparations for fueling of the CSC satellite. The safety officer checked all the setup was safe and the hydrazine drum was moved into the fueling hall and placed on the scales.
The fueling team tried on the new SCAPE suites for size. Apparently, they are unisex
The setup was completed, and the team were ready to start.
The fueling team put on their SCAPE suites, entered the fueling hall and started activities. This is the view the team in the control got whilst monitoring the activities.
Final activities and a happy pair of operators.
The fueling of the CSC satellite was successfully completed just leaving pressurisation in the morning. Another very professional fueling program by the ArianeGroup team. The team was also very pleased to hear the news.
Fully Loaded! – Proba-3 blog
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
23 November 2024
Today the team came in early to start the preparations for fueling of the CSC satellite. The safety officer checked all the setup was safe and the hydrazine drum was moved into the fueling hall and placed on the scales.
The fueling team tried on the new SCAPE suites for size. Apparently, they are unisex
The setup was completed, and the team were ready to start.
The fueling team put on their SCAPE suites, entered the fueling hall and started activities. This is the view the team in the control got whilst monitoring the activities.
Final activities and a happy pair of operators.
The fueling of the CSC satellite was successfully completed just leaving pressurisation in the morning. Another very professional fueling program by the ArianeGroup team. The team was also very pleased to hear the news.
Fully Loaded! – Proba-3 blog
Ready for Combined Operations!
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
24 November 2024
The final pressurization has been performed on the CSC and the valves capped and locked.
The satellite is ready to go to the next phase of the launch campaign, Combined operations where activities are now performed with the launcher team starting with mating on the PLA.
Things were tidied up and some pictures taken.
As most of the team were not involved in the fueling, they enjoyed a boat trip to a local island.
Ready for Combined Operations! – Proba-3 blog
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
24 November 2024
The final pressurization has been performed on the CSC and the valves capped and locked.
The satellite is ready to go to the next phase of the launch campaign, Combined operations where activities are now performed with the launcher team starting with mating on the PLA.
Things were tidied up and some pictures taken.
As most of the team were not involved in the fueling, they enjoyed a boat trip to a local island.
Ready for Combined Operations! – Proba-3 blog
Move to the Launch Pad
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
25 November 2024
Today was meant to be a leisurely day of tidying up the satellites, mating on the PLA and moving into the transport container ready for a move to the launch pad tomorrow. Well due to severe weather warnings it was decided to move today so all hands to the pump.
The close out activities were completed on the satellites and the solar arrays checked. A cover was then put on the stack to protect it in the container.
The stack was then mated onto the PLA
The clamp band and umbilicals were then installed before the stack was moved to the container.
The adapter was bolted to the base and the lid installed, a scary place for the two satellites.
Once closed the container was transferred to the waiting lorry to take it to SP3.
Before the lorry could leave there were a couple of interesting traditions to perform. One was lemons under the wheels
, which is considered to absorb negative energies, is crushed as the vehicle moves forward, signifying the destruction of any evil forces or bad luck. This ritual is believed to purify the vehicle, ensuring smooth, accident-free journeys and the other was breaking open coconuts. It is believed that doing this helps in keeping the problems away and makes the work successful.
Then the move to SP3
The journey took about 50min and some of the team walked with it for the last part. The service tower doors were open and a very impressive launch waiting to receive its passenger.
More pics to follow.
Move to the Launch Pad – Proba-3 blog
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
25 November 2024
Today was meant to be a leisurely day of tidying up the satellites, mating on the PLA and moving into the transport container ready for a move to the launch pad tomorrow. Well due to severe weather warnings it was decided to move today so all hands to the pump.
The close out activities were completed on the satellites and the solar arrays checked. A cover was then put on the stack to protect it in the container.
The stack was then mated onto the PLA
The clamp band and umbilicals were then installed before the stack was moved to the container.
The adapter was bolted to the base and the lid installed, a scary place for the two satellites.
Once closed the container was transferred to the waiting lorry to take it to SP3.
Before the lorry could leave there were a couple of interesting traditions to perform. One was lemons under the wheels
, which is considered to absorb negative energies, is crushed as the vehicle moves forward, signifying the destruction of any evil forces or bad luck. This ritual is believed to purify the vehicle, ensuring smooth, accident-free journeys and the other was breaking open coconuts. It is believed that doing this helps in keeping the problems away and makes the work successful.Then the move to SP3
The journey took about 50min and some of the team walked with it for the last part. The service tower doors were open and a very impressive launch waiting to receive its passenger.
More pics to follow.
Move to the Launch Pad – Proba-3 blog
Aditya-L1: Why India's latest Sun mission finding is crucial for the world - BBC News
Indian scientists have reported Aditya-L1's “first significant result”. What is it and why is it significant?
www.bbc.com
One step closer
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
28 November 2024
The satellites stayed in its transport container whilst clean room conditions were re-established and monitored to ensure the cleanliness of the satellites is maintained.
Once satisfied the lid could be removed and the activities performed prior to transferring the stacked satellites onto the launcher. With preparations done there was a briefing before the mating.
And a well-deserved group picture with the stack safely installed on the launcher.
One step closer – Proba-3 blog
Written by bill.simpson@esa.int
28 November 2024
The satellites stayed in its transport container whilst clean room conditions were re-established and monitored to ensure the cleanliness of the satellites is maintained.
Once satisfied the lid could be removed and the activities performed prior to transferring the stacked satellites onto the launcher. With preparations done there was a briefing before the mating.
And a well-deserved group picture with the stack safely installed on the launcher.
One step closer – Proba-3 blog