Indian Space Program: News & Discussions
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PSLV-C41 long exposure shot by reddit user /u/arunvenkats
Massive Fire at Indian Space Research Unit That Prepares Payloads
More than 25 firefighting vehicles are on a mission to douse flames that have partially engulfed a critical space application center in India. The extent of damage and loss is yet to be ascertained.
New Delhi (Sputnik) — A major fire has broken out inside the Space Application Centre campus of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Ahmedabad. The center prepares payloads and other critical applications for the ISRO.
"A major fire broke out at the research center inside the sprawling SAC campus in the Satellite area of the city this afternoon. As many as 25 fire tenders have finally doused the fire," the municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad told media.
The ISRO had not divulged details about the estimated loss. However, it is worth mentioning here that earlier this month, the ISRO had recalled a communication satellite from French Guiana to conduct some more technical tests at the center that has caught fire. The satellite was scheduled for launch on May 25 by Arianespace.
Even though fire was started bcuz of SC but i believe foreign powers are targeting ISRO for past year now.
More than 25 firefighting vehicles are on a mission to douse flames that have partially engulfed a critical space application center in India. The extent of damage and loss is yet to be ascertained.
New Delhi (Sputnik) — A major fire has broken out inside the Space Application Centre campus of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Ahmedabad. The center prepares payloads and other critical applications for the ISRO.
"A major fire broke out at the research center inside the sprawling SAC campus in the Satellite area of the city this afternoon. As many as 25 fire tenders have finally doused the fire," the municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad told media.
The ISRO had not divulged details about the estimated loss. However, it is worth mentioning here that earlier this month, the ISRO had recalled a communication satellite from French Guiana to conduct some more technical tests at the center that has caught fire. The satellite was scheduled for launch on May 25 by Arianespace.
Even though fire was started bcuz of SC but i believe foreign powers are targeting ISRO for past year now.
ISRO's big scheme to send small rockets into space
Raghu Krishnan | ET Bureau | May 4, 2018, 13:41 IST
India’s space agency aims to create a consortium of companies to build and market a small rocket to launch low-weight satellites at lesser cost and within shorter durations, as it seeks to tap into burgeoning global demand for such services.
Led by Antrix Corp — the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation — the consortium will include engineering major Larsen & Toubro, Godrej Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The combine will help Isro build a small rocket capable of carrying 500 kilogram satellites into the lower earth orbit. “Antrix is working on a model to involve industry from the beginning. Our aim is that one or two rockets will be launched by Isro, the industry should then make the rockets and launch satellites,” said K Sivan, chairman of ISRO in an interview with ET. He said ISRO has approached these companies and that “they are all interested”.
“The price of a satellite launch on this small rocket is expected to be less than one-fifth of the current launch costs,” Sivan added. The first development flight or launch of the rocket will be by 2019.
By involving companies such as L&T, Godrej and HAL, in the initial stages the space agency expects to improve the manufacturing process and bring down the cost of the rocket.
Typically, ISRO takes around 45 days to assemble its workhorse the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The smaller rocket, to be powered by a solid booster, is expected to be ready for launch in three days. It is being designed to place low-weight satellites in the low earth orbit of around 500 kilometres.
“We are looking at some disruptive technologies with this (rocket),” said Sivan.
ISRO's big scheme to send small rockets into space - Times of India
Raghu Krishnan | ET Bureau | May 4, 2018, 13:41 IST
India’s space agency aims to create a consortium of companies to build and market a small rocket to launch low-weight satellites at lesser cost and within shorter durations, as it seeks to tap into burgeoning global demand for such services.
Led by Antrix Corp — the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation — the consortium will include engineering major Larsen & Toubro, Godrej Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The combine will help Isro build a small rocket capable of carrying 500 kilogram satellites into the lower earth orbit. “Antrix is working on a model to involve industry from the beginning. Our aim is that one or two rockets will be launched by Isro, the industry should then make the rockets and launch satellites,” said K Sivan, chairman of ISRO in an interview with ET. He said ISRO has approached these companies and that “they are all interested”.
“The price of a satellite launch on this small rocket is expected to be less than one-fifth of the current launch costs,” Sivan added. The first development flight or launch of the rocket will be by 2019.
By involving companies such as L&T, Godrej and HAL, in the initial stages the space agency expects to improve the manufacturing process and bring down the cost of the rocket.
Typically, ISRO takes around 45 days to assemble its workhorse the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The smaller rocket, to be powered by a solid booster, is expected to be ready for launch in three days. It is being designed to place low-weight satellites in the low earth orbit of around 500 kilometres.
“We are looking at some disruptive technologies with this (rocket),” said Sivan.
ISRO's big scheme to send small rockets into space - Times of India
Said this sometime back when Isro started facing failures on small small missions out of nowhere. There is something not right, the building maybe equipped with CCTV, hope they can find real cause.
130 firemen fight major blaze at ISRO's facility: Quick facts
130 firemen fight major blaze at ISRO's facility: Quick facts
Firefighting personnel said that it was only after they reached the facility that they realized that the fire was a major one. Dr Tapan Misra, Director the SAC said that the police will investigate if there was foul play and sabotage involved in the mishap.
By : Sriparna Ghosh
May 4, 2018 09:13 IST
It took 130 firemen and around 25 fire trucks to battle the blaze. (Representational Image)Reuters
A major fire broke out in a major facility of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at Gujarat's Ahmedabad city at around 1:15 pm on Thursday. The bustling complex of the ISRO is located in the middle of the city.
Quick facts:
- It took 130 firemen and around 25 fire trucks to battle the blaze, which had broken out at the Space Applications Centre (SAC).
- The fire control department said that it was only after they reached the spot that they realized that the blaze was major.
"The fire-fighting operation began with seven vehicles but 24 vehicles were eventually engaged, due to the importance of the campus," The Times of India quoted an Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) official as saying.- The fire started inside a simulation lab located on the third and fourth floor of building 37.
- The flames were extinguished in one and a half hours, but it took the security personnel three and half hours to clear the smoke.
- Though the exact cause of the fire is not yet known, it is believed to have started from an electrical short-circuit.
- Dr Tapan Misra, Director the SAC said that the police will also investigate if there was foul play and sabotage involved in the mishap.
- "The immediate cause of the fire has not been identified and it will be confirmed only after an investigation by the competent authorities. The incident is not expected to affect projects and programmes of SAC/ISRO significantly," the facility said in its statement.
Fire has been doused and the entire premises is safe and secure: Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad on fire at Space Applications Centre (ISRO) #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/SW7ROEcEYC
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018
- Two Central Industrial Security Force personnel and two AFES personnel engaged in the firefighting were injured. The 30 to 40 ISRO scientists who work in the facility were safe
- Misra added that while the "antenna test facility" had caught fire and a few equipment was damaged, "no satellite payload" has been lost, reported NDTV.
Ahmedabad: Fire breaks out in the machinery department at Space Applications Centre. 20 fire tenders & 10 ambulances at the spot, 1 CISF personnel injured. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/Jd2L7LNNHX
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018
- The facility specializes in making eminent components for India's satellites. Multiple parts of several satellites like Chandrayaan-2 were made at SAC.
ISRO’s clock to prop up India’s own GPS
ISRO’s clock to prop up India’s own GPS
Madhumathi D.S.BENGALURU,May 05, 2018 22:50 IST
Updated:May 05, 2018 22:51 IST
The PSLV C26 lifting off with IRNSS 1C navigation satellite from Sriharikota.
Repeated failures of foreign-made atomic clocks have dogged NavIC project
Time is running out for the seven-satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC (Navigation in Indian Constellation). NavIC, whose seventh satellite was launched in April 2016, was expected to provide India a satellite-based navigation system independent of the U.S.-controlled GPS (Global Positioning System). But India’s own ‘regional GPS’ is yet to become officially operational owing to repeated failures of the atomic clocks on the satellites.
In view of the cascade of failing imported atomic clocks — nine out of the 21 clocks in the fleet have failed — ISRO has decided to add buffers to the NavIC by adding four more satellites. It hopes to have an indigenous atomic clock in each of them. “We are in the process of getting approval [from the government] for at least another four IRNSS satellites,” ISRO Chairman K.Sivan told The Hindu, confirming the failure of clocks. “However, they will have some advanced technology, apart from the atomic clocks developed by ISRO.” NavIC is meant to give Indian civil and military users reliable location and time information, for which the performance of the atomic clocks is critical.
The indigenous atomic clock is being developed by the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, Mr. Sivan said, adding that once it passes qualification tests, “We will first demonstrate the indigenous clock in an upcoming navigation satellite, along with the imported ones. Work on them is going on in full steam.”
The cost and timing of the new satellites are not finalised, Mr. Sivan said. The development and eventual use of an indigenous atomic clock, at a cost of a few hundred crore rupees, was part of the NavIC concept, he added.
First failures in 2016
The rubidium atomic clocks from Europe started failing on the first navigation satellite, IRNSS-1A, around 2016, soon after ISRO put the last and seventh satellite in orbit. Until a few months ago, three more satellites were said to have suffered “one or two dysfunctional clocks” each, while two satellites did not have any problematic clocks. Each satellite carries three atomic clocks, including a standby.
ISRO is concerned that if more clocks fail, it may render the ₹1,400-crore fleet a dud in space. NavIC, which will be controlled solely by India, unlike the American GPS or Russian Glonass navigation systems, will be useful as navigation aids for the armed forces.
Cross posting from NavIC/IRNSS discussion of user handle vineethgk
Source is the aforesaid link of Hindu
Now which types of same are onboard of IRNSS;
Spectratime - Rubidium, Crystal, Maser Clocks and Systems
Any idea guys ? It appears that Spectratime built clocks has previous history of failure:
Last edited:
Spectratime had been awarded for supply of Rubidium Clocks way back in 2008, with a contract value of Euro 4 Million.
Spectratime Awarded Contract To Supply Rubidium Space Clocks To IRNSS
Spectratime Awarded Contract To Supply Rubidium Space Clocks To IRNSS
ISRO engineer Saji K Sam gets Nutrition award
ISRO engineer Saji K Sam gets Nutrition award
DECCAN CHRONICLE.
Published May 6, 2018, 2:23 am IST
Updated May 6, 2018, 2:23 am IST
Many expert doctors in nutrition therapy or orthomolecular medicine from across the world presented research papers at the three-day conference.
Saji K. Sam
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ISRO scientist Saji K. Sam has bagged the national health care award instituted by the Indian Nutritional Medical Association. An engineer in satellite design at ISRO Inertial Systems unit here, Sam has created awareness on therapeutic nutrition that offers relief to patients suffering from chronic cancer, heart ailments etc. Sam’s nutritional therapy is based on ‘orthomolecular medicine,’ a form of alternative medicine which aims to maintain health through nutritional supplementation.
This was developed by two-time Nobel laureate in chemistry and peace Linus Pauling. “Modern medicine and orthomolecular medicine are on a par with each other in addressing various health issues which affect the standard of living. It was this understanding which brought me to this nutritional field under the guidance of INMA president Dr. A. Sreekumar, who is an ENT, head and neck surgeon,” said Saji.
He claimed that these days doctors depend on nutrition therapy to treat patients along with modern medicine. The award was handed over to Saji by Ernakulam district collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla at the eighth Nutritional and Environmental International Medical Conference (NEMCON 2018) in Kochi the other day. Many expert doctors in nutrition therapy or orthomolecular medicine from across the world presented research papers at the three-day conference.
Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre gives a new boost to forest conservation
The centre has developed a new system that can monitor changes in forest cover over area as small as one hectare of land; TS forest dept will be the 1st to do the pilot test of new system
HYDERABAD: Efforts to conserve forests across the country is likely to get a major boost, thanks to Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre(NRSC), an arm of Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO). The centre has developed a new system that can monitor changes in forest cover over area as small as one hectare of land. The new system was made possible with the fusion of Optical Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System, Artificial Intelligence and Automation.
Apart from this, the new system will help NSRC generate monthly reports on forest cover and provide specific latitude and longitude of location where changes in green cover are observed. Telangana forest department will be the first in the country to benefit from this new system. NRSC has already tested the system and will soon be conducting pilot study in Telangana.
P Raghuveer, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests(IT) with State forest department told Express that as part of the pilot project NSRC will monitor forest cover changes in Kothagudem district, one of the worst affect parts of the State. “We have entered into an MoU with the NRSC. The processing of satellite imagery and generating reports on forest cover changes usually takes about 9 months, but we have managed to bring it down to 4-5 months. We have asked the NRSC to develop a system which can make it possible to provide information on forest cover change once in five days,” he said.
How does the new system work?
Presently, satellite imagery of large tracts of forest lands -- about 5-10 hectares -- are analysed for positive or negative changes in green cover. Negative change means deforestation has occurred in that particular forest patch or forest quality has degraded there. Once the satellite images are obtained, they are processed by scientists and reports are generated on an annual basis on the changes observed in the forest patches. This report on forest cover changes, gives information on the area of forest that has experienced either a positive or negative change inside a forest division.
However, more than large-scale level of deforestation in forest areas, which was the norm previously, nowadays forests in Telangana and across India are facing threat from small scale deforestation, in which forests of small patches of 1 hectare or less area are encroached or chopped. This further leads to fragmentation of forests and affects the forest as well as wildlife. With NRSC developing technology that makes it possible for monitoring forest cover changes over small areas of one hectare, by improving the resolution from 50 metres to 30 metres for Optical Remote Sensing, it helps in getting details of small-scale deforestation in forests.
Improved frequency of reporting
Earlier the reports on forest cover changes were generated on an annual basis. However, now the NRSC has developed their automated forest change detection algorithm, by which it can generate reports on a monthly basis as well. Moreover, the NRSC will also provide the exact location - Latitude and Longitude, of the locations inside forests where the forest cover change has been observed.
With these reports the forest department need not wait for months together to get one report on forest cover change and can keep a tab on encroachments of forests or deforestation on a monthly basis, ensuring quick action as well as limiting the damage caused to forests.
105 % increase in negative change in forest cover in Telangana since 2014
Since 2014-15, the positive change in forest cover has increased in Telangana from 706 Ha to 2,000 Ha in 2016-17. However, it is not a matter to rejoice as in the same period, the negative change in forest cover has increased much faster - by about 105 percent - from 1,818 Ha in 2016-17 to 3,741 Ha in 2017-18. The highest ‘negative change in forest cover’, in the period 2016-17, is 325Ha at Asifabad forest division located close to Forest minister Jogu Ramanna’s constituency Adilabad. Medak seems to have become the hub of deforestation in Telangana as Hyderabad continues to expand.
The centre has developed a new system that can monitor changes in forest cover over area as small as one hectare of land; TS forest dept will be the 1st to do the pilot test of new system
HYDERABAD: Efforts to conserve forests across the country is likely to get a major boost, thanks to Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre(NRSC), an arm of Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO). The centre has developed a new system that can monitor changes in forest cover over area as small as one hectare of land. The new system was made possible with the fusion of Optical Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System, Artificial Intelligence and Automation.
Apart from this, the new system will help NSRC generate monthly reports on forest cover and provide specific latitude and longitude of location where changes in green cover are observed. Telangana forest department will be the first in the country to benefit from this new system. NRSC has already tested the system and will soon be conducting pilot study in Telangana.
P Raghuveer, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests(IT) with State forest department told Express that as part of the pilot project NSRC will monitor forest cover changes in Kothagudem district, one of the worst affect parts of the State. “We have entered into an MoU with the NRSC. The processing of satellite imagery and generating reports on forest cover changes usually takes about 9 months, but we have managed to bring it down to 4-5 months. We have asked the NRSC to develop a system which can make it possible to provide information on forest cover change once in five days,” he said.
How does the new system work?
Presently, satellite imagery of large tracts of forest lands -- about 5-10 hectares -- are analysed for positive or negative changes in green cover. Negative change means deforestation has occurred in that particular forest patch or forest quality has degraded there. Once the satellite images are obtained, they are processed by scientists and reports are generated on an annual basis on the changes observed in the forest patches. This report on forest cover changes, gives information on the area of forest that has experienced either a positive or negative change inside a forest division.
However, more than large-scale level of deforestation in forest areas, which was the norm previously, nowadays forests in Telangana and across India are facing threat from small scale deforestation, in which forests of small patches of 1 hectare or less area are encroached or chopped. This further leads to fragmentation of forests and affects the forest as well as wildlife. With NRSC developing technology that makes it possible for monitoring forest cover changes over small areas of one hectare, by improving the resolution from 50 metres to 30 metres for Optical Remote Sensing, it helps in getting details of small-scale deforestation in forests.
Improved frequency of reporting
Earlier the reports on forest cover changes were generated on an annual basis. However, now the NRSC has developed their automated forest change detection algorithm, by which it can generate reports on a monthly basis as well. Moreover, the NRSC will also provide the exact location - Latitude and Longitude, of the locations inside forests where the forest cover change has been observed.
With these reports the forest department need not wait for months together to get one report on forest cover change and can keep a tab on encroachments of forests or deforestation on a monthly basis, ensuring quick action as well as limiting the damage caused to forests.
105 % increase in negative change in forest cover in Telangana since 2014
Since 2014-15, the positive change in forest cover has increased in Telangana from 706 Ha to 2,000 Ha in 2016-17. However, it is not a matter to rejoice as in the same period, the negative change in forest cover has increased much faster - by about 105 percent - from 1,818 Ha in 2016-17 to 3,741 Ha in 2017-18. The highest ‘negative change in forest cover’, in the period 2016-17, is 325Ha at Asifabad forest division located close to Forest minister Jogu Ramanna’s constituency Adilabad. Medak seems to have become the hub of deforestation in Telangana as Hyderabad continues to expand.