News Analysis India

Tag: ISRO

  • Scientists from ISRO, IISc develop device to carry out biological experiments in space

    By Express News Service

    BENGALURU: Researchers from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have developed a modular, self-contained device to cultivate microorganisms, which can enable scientists to carry out biological experiments during manned space missions like India’s 2022-scheduled first manned space mission Gaganyaan.  

    Understanding how such microbes behave in extreme environments can provide valuable insights for human space missions. In recent years, scientists have been increasingly exploring the use of lab-on-chip platforms – which combine many analyses into a single integrated chip – for such experiments. But there are additional challenges to designing such platforms for outer space.  

    In a study published in Acta Astronautica, the team showed how the device can be used to activate and track the growth of a bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, with minimal human intervention. The device uses an light emitting diode and photodiode sensor combination to track bacterial growth by measuring optical density or scattering of light, similar to spectrophotometers used in the lab, an IISc release said. 

    It also has separate compartments for different experiments. Each ‘cassette’ consists of a chamber where bacteria – suspended as spores in a sucrose solution – and a nutrient medium can be mixed to kickstart growth, by flicking on a switch remotely.

    Using an electron microscope, the researchers confirmed that the spores multiplied into rod-shaped bacteria inside the device, as they would have under lab conditions.  

    Data from each cassette is collected and stored independently. Three cassettes are clubbed into a single cartridge, which consumes just under 1W of power. The researchers envision that a full payload that could go in a spacecraft will contain four such cartridges capable of carrying out 12 independent experiments.  

    Koushik Viswanathan, Assistant Prof in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and senior author of the study, says, “It has to be completely self-contained . Besides, you can’t simply expect the same operating conditions as you would in a normal laboratory setting.”

  • ISRO conducts hot test of Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: ISRO said it successfully conducted the first hot test of the System Demonstration Model (SDM) of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System for a duration of 450 seconds at the test facility of Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday.

    The system performance met the test objectives and there was a close match with the pre-test predictions, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said in a statement.

    Further, a series of hot tests are planned to simulate various mission conditions as well as off-nominal conditions, it said.

    The Service Module (SM) is part of the Gaganyaan Orbital module and is located below the crew module and remains connected to it until re-entry, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) explained.

    The SM Propulsion System consists of a unified bipropellant system consisting of five numbers of 440 N thrust engines and 16 numbers of 100 N Reaction Control system (RCS) thrusters with MON-3 and MMH as Oxidizer and Fuel respectively.

    “The SDM, consisting of five numbers of 440 N engines and eight numbers of 100 N thrusters, was realised to qualify the propulsion system performance in ground. A new test facility is established at IPRC, Mahendragiri for testing the SDM (sic)”, the statement added.

  • Space industry advocacy group IN-SPACe presents space roadmap to ISRO Chariman Sivan

    Express News Service

    BENGALURU: Chairman ISRO K Sivan on Wednesday, interacted with delegates from Industry, Academia and Start-ups, who have proposed their ideas to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre [IN-SPACe] .

    As many as 25 non-government and private entities [NGPEs] including L&T, Bharti Airtel, Pixel, Agnikul, Skyroot, Alpha Designs briefed Sivan about their activities and sought suggestions for accomplishment of the same.

    Sivan lauded the formation of Indian Space Association [ISpA], which is an exclusive space industry advocacy group, that comprises of stakeholders of the Indian space ecosystem. These will form a collective voice of what these stakeholders expect from InSPACe.

    He encouraged start-ups and industry players to join ISpA, towards enhancing the evolving landscape of space activities in the country.

    J D Patil is the Chairman (Designate) of ISpA. He along with Lt Gen A K Bhatt (Retd.), presented the roadmap of the association and expressed how it would benefit the space industry as a whole, in-line with the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister for the country’s overall development .

    Participants were givn a demonstration of the proposed website for IN-SPACe.

    ‘Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for using Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter data’

    The Indian Space Research Organisation on Monday, sought scientific proposals through its Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to analyse and use data from Chandrayaan 2 orbiter which is at present in a 100 km x 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon. The orbiter carries eight experiments for studies ranging from surface geology and composition to exospheric measurements.

    The AO is open to researchers from recognized academic institutions, Universities, Colleges, Planetaria and government organizations of India.

    The project is expected to be completed in three years.

    As per the space organisation, On December 24, 2020 Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter payloads data were released to public for scientific analysis. Subsequently in July, 2021 next sets of data were released from payloads. A few science results by payload science teams were already published in International peer reviewed journals.

    The Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter payloads which are said to be generating high quality data, have been made available in public domain https://pradan.issdc.gov.in for scientific analysis. More data sets will be added to this as acquired by various payloads, said the organisation.

     

  • ISRO seeks proposals for analysis, utilisation of Chandrayaan-2 orbiter data

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation has come out with an ‘Announcement of Opportunity” (AO), seeking proposals towards scientific analysis and utilisation of data from all experiments of the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter.

    According to ISRO, the data from Chandrayaan-1 had been extensively used by Indian researchers to understand lunar morphology, surface age determination and composition of the lunar surface, studies on the possible presence of magmatic as well as exogenic water.

    “These studies have provided enhanced thoughtful views regarding lunar evolutionary processes”, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said.

    “Such studies from Chandrayaan-1 have considerably expanded Indian lunar science community”.

    To further strengthen the Indian research community for lunar science studies, Chandrayaan-2 orbiter payloads data are made available to public and scientific proposals are solicited for scientific analysis, it said.

    Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is currently in a 100 km x 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon, and carries eight experiments for studies ranging from surface geology and composition to exospheric measurements that would continue to build upon the understanding from previous lunar missions.

    On December 24, 2020, Chandrayaan-2 orbiter payloads data were released to public for scientific analysis.

    Subsequently in July, 2021 next sets of data were released from payloads.

    A few science results by payload science teams are already published in international peer reviewed journals.

    The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter payloads are generating high quality data, which are made available in public domain (https://pradan.issdc.gov.in) for scientific analysis.

    More data sets will be added to this as acquired by various payloads, the space agency said.

    “To enhance the science outcome from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter payloads, ISRO seeks scientific proposals from the national scientific community through this AO, towards scientific analysis and utilisation of data from all experiments of Chandrayaan-2 orbiter”, ISRO said.

    The AO is open to all researchers from recognised academic institutions, universities, colleges, planetaria and government organisations of India, it was stated.

  • BRICS signs deal on cooperation in remote sensing satellite data sharing

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) signed an agreement for cooperation in remote sensing satellite data sharing, according to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

    The pact inked on Wednesday enables building a virtual constellation of specified remote sensing satellites of BRICS space agencies and their respective ground stations will receive the data, ISRO said.

    “This will contribute in strengthening multilateral cooperation among BRICS space agencies in meeting the challenges faced by mankind, such as global climate change, major disasters and environmental protection,” the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said in a statement.

    The agreement was signed under India’s BRICS Chairship, it was stated.

    Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs) & India’s BRICS Sherpa, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, was present.

    “#BRICS reached major landmark today with signing of Agr on BRICS Satellite Constellation by Heads of Space Agencies It will promote cooperation & use space data & applications for development & social objectives outlined in SDGs, providing benefit to citizens #BRICSIndia2021”, Bhattacharyya tweeted.

    Chairman of ISRO and Secretary in Department of Space, K Sivan, Administrator of China National Space Administration, Zhang Kejian, Chief Executive Officer of South African National Space Agency, Valanathan Munsami, President of Brazilian Space Agency, Carlos Augusto Teixeira de Moura, and Director General of Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, signed the agreement.

  • GSLV launch setback: Ex-ISRO chief expresses shock, Centre says mission can be rescheduled again

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: Veteran space scientist G Madhavan Nair expressed shock over the unsuccessful GSLV-F10 launch mission but said the ISRO is resilient enough to bounce back.

    The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched GSLV-F10 rocket, with an earth observation satellite (EOS-03) on board, on Thursday at 0543 hours as scheduled, from Sriharikota spaceport.

    “Performance of first and second stages was normal. However, Cryogenic Upper Stage ignition did not happen due to technical anomaly. The mission couldn’t be accomplished as intended”, the space agency tweeted.

    Nair, during whose tenure of six years from 2003 as ISRO Chairman 25 successful missions were accomplished, indicated that setbacks of this kind is not unusual and said ISRO should not lose heart.

    “This is a very complex mission. Normally, the Cryogenic stage is the most difficult one compared to all other rocket propulsions”, Nair told PTI.

    ISRO, he said, had mastered the cryogenic technology over the years and its track record on this count is not that bad compared to European countries and Russia where failure of cryogenic stage was in the range of about 20 per cent.

    “This is the eighth launch of cryogenic stage. The first one was a problem (unsuccessful). Subsequently, all other launches turned in text-book performance. There is a finite possibility of failure with any such complex system. We need not be disappointed. But at the same time, we should go to the root cause (of the failure) and fix it so that we don’t repeat”, Nair said.

    And he added: “It’s a shock for all of us. But we will recover from this shock soon and we will be back on track. The ISRO community is resilient enough to face such difficulties”.
    #ISRO launched India’s “eye in the sky” – the GISAT-1 Earth observation satellite (EOS) on a geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh.Express Video | @ddmallick Read | https://t.co/DxMXYr2Q7g pic.twitter.com/qqA5NQIUpG— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 12, 2021 EOS-03 was a state-of-the-art agile earth observation satellite which was to be placed in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit by GSLV-F10.

    Subsequently, the satellite was to reach the final geostationary orbit using its onboard propulsion system.

    The objectives of EOS-03 were to provide near real time imaging of large area region of interest at frequent intervals; for quick monitoring of natural disasters, episodic events and any short term events; and to obtain spectral signatures for agriculture, forestry, water bodies as well as for disaster warning, cyclone monitoring, and cloud burst / thunderstorm monitoring, among others.

    Union minister Jitendra Singh said the mission can be rescheduled again.

    Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and in-charge of the Department of Space, said he had a detailed discussion with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan over the mission.

    He said the first two stages of the launch went off fine and only after that there was a difficulty in cryogenic upper stage ignition.

    “Spoke to Chairman #ISRO, Dr K Sivan and discussed in detail. The first two stages went off fine, only after that there was a difficulty in cryogenic upper stage ignition. The mission can be re-scheduled some time again,” Singh tweeted.

    The GSLV rocket, launched in the early hours of Thursday, failed to inject into the orbit the country’s latest earth observation satellite EOS-03 due to a failure to ignite the cryogenic stage of the launch vehicle, prompting the premier space agency to declare the mission could not be achieved as intended.

    According to the ISRO, the cryogenic upper stage ignition was scheduled to take place 4.56 minutes after the lift-off.

    A formal announcement was also made at the Mission Control Centre by the range operations director, stating, “Performance anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage. The mission could not be accomplished fully.”

    The EOS-03 was intended to provide real-time images of large area region of interest at frequent intervals with capability to provide vital information for application in different sectors including agriculture, forestry, water bodies as well as for disaster warning, cyclone monitoring, cloudburst or thunderstorm monitoring.

  • Setback for ISRO as GSLV fails to place earth observation satellite into orbit due to performance anomaly

    By PTI

    SRIHARIKOTA: ISRO’s GSLV rocket on Thursday failed to inject into the orbit, the country’s latest earth observation satellite EOS-03 due to a failure to ignite the cryogenic stage of the launch vehicle, prompting the premier space agency to declare the mission could not be achieved as intended.

    However, the first and second stages of the rocket had performed normally, the Bengaluru-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation said.

    In a notification, ISRO said, “GSLV-F10 launch took place today at 0543 hrs as scheduled. Performance of first and second stages was normal. However, Cryogenic Upper Stage ignition did not happen due to technical anomaly. The mission could not be accomplished as intended.”

    According to ISRO, the cryogenic upper stage ignition was scheduled to take place 4.56 minutes after the lift-off.

    A formal announcement was also made at the Mission Control Centre by the range operations director, stating, “performance anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage. The mission could not be accomplished fully.”

    ISRO Chairman K Sivan said, “(the mission) could not be fully accomplished mainly because there is a technical anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage. This I wanted to tell all my friends.”

    ISRO, after facing hurdles caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, resumed its launch operations for the rocket to place the satellite with an objective to provide near real-time imaging of large areas of the country at frequent intervals and quick monitoring of natural disasters.

    As the 26-hour countdown concluded on Thursday, the 51.70 metre tall rocket with four stages lifted off majestically at 05.43hrs, leaving behind a trail of thick orange coloured fumes.

    The four-stage rocket was the first to carry a four-metre dia ‘Ogive Payload Fairing’ at the top of the vehicle to accommodate larger payloads.

    The rocket was supposed to place the EOS “an agile state-of-the-art satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, 19 minutes after lift-off.

    Thursday’s unsuccessful attempt to launch the satellite came in the wake of scientists postponing the earlier planned missions earlier.

    The satellite, originally titled GISAT-1 weighing 2,268 kg was slated to be launched on March 5, 2020 but it was postponed a day before the lift-off due to ‘technical reasons’.

    The Covid-induced lockdown further delayed the mission and once again it was scheduled for a March 28, 2021 launch but a ‘minor issue’ with the satellite forced yet another postponement.

    The objective of Thursday’s mission was to provide near real-time imaging of large area regions at frequent intervals, for quick monitoring of natural disasters, episodic events and obtain spectral signatures for agriculture, forestry, water bodies as well as for disaster warning, cyclone monitoring, cloud burst and thunderstorm monitoring.

    Before Thursday’s launch, ISRO had launched Brazil’s earth observation satellite Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites in February this year.

    Thursday’s mission is the eighth flight with indigenous cryogenic engine, 14th flight of the GSLV and also marks the 79th launch vehicle mission from Sriharikota.

    Previous launches of GSLV rockets include the GSLV-MkIII-M1/ Chandrayaan-2 mission in July 2019 while GSLV-F11 successfully placed GSAT-7A in December 2018.

    An earth observation satellite — EOS-01 — was launched in November 2020 by polar satellite launch vehicle PSLV-C49, ISRO said.

    ISRO had made arrangements to watch the launch through its various social media platforms.

  • Setback for ISRO as GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission fails due to performance anomaly in cryogenic stage

    By PTI

    SRIHARIKOTA: Indian Space Research Organisation’s second mission of the year to place an earth observation satellite by a GSLV rocket faced a setback as the mission could not be accomplished fully due to performance anomaly in the cryogenic stage of the rocket, the space agency said on Thursday.

    The 51.70-metre tall rocket GSLV-F10/EOS-03 successfully lifted off from the second launch pad at the spaceport as planned at 05.43 hrs soon after the 26-hour countdown concluded.

    Ahead of the lift-off, the Launch Authorisation Board cleared the decks for a normal lift-off as planned.

    The performance of the rocket in the first and second stages of the rocket was normal, scientists at the Mission Control Centre said.

    However, minutes later the scientists were seen in discussion and it was announced in the Mission Control Centre by the Range Operations Director “mission could not be accomplished fully due to performance anomaly”.

    “Performance anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage. The mission could not be accomplished fully,” the range operations director announced in the Mission Control Centre. Later, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said, “(The mission) could not be fully accomplished mainly because there is a technical anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage. This I wanted to tell to all my friends.”

    After the countdown commenced, scientists were engaged in the filling of propellants for the four-stage rocket at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota about 100 kms from Chennai.

    The objective of Thursday’s mission was to provide near real-time imaging of large area regions at frequent intervals, for quick monitoring of natural disasters, episodic events and obtain spectral signatures for agriculture, forestry, water bodies as well as for disaster warning, cyclone monitoring, cloud burst and thunderstorm monitoring.

    Before today’s launch, ISRO had launched Brazil’s earth observation satellite Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites in February this year.

    Thursday’s rocket launch was also planned to be held in April or May however, the outbreak pushed the scientists to resume it in August.

  • ISRO to take cooperation with European, Israeli space agencies to higher orbit

    By PTI
    BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation is in discussions with European and Israeli space agencies to enhance cooperation and identify potential opportunities to work together.

    The Secretary in the Department of Space and ISRO Chairman K Sivan held virtual meetings with Director General of Israel Space Agency (ISA) Avi Blasberger and Director General of European Space Agency (ESA) Josef Aschbacher last week.

    Sivan and Blasberger reviewed the progress of the ongoing activities including cooperation in electric propulsion system for small satellites and GEO-LEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbit-Low Earth Orbit) optical link.

    They also discussed potential opportunities of working together in future including launch of Israeli satellites in Indian launcher and commemorating 75th anniversary of Indian independence and 30 years of India-Israel diplomatic relations through an appropriate event in 2022, an ISRO statement said.

    Sivan and Aschbacher reviewed the status of ongoing cooperation activities in earth observation, space science, satellite navigation, space situational awareness and human space flight.

    An ISRO-ESA Arrangement concerning network and operations Cross-support which will enable use of ground station to support each others spacecraft missions, was signed recently.

    “They agreed to form thematic working groups which will discuss to identify potential opportunities for working together to further enhance ISRO-ESA cooperation”, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency added.

    I was pleased to meet Chairman Sivan for the first time today. I place @ESA’s cooperation with @ISRO high on the ESA international agenda. #India’s space portfolio is expanding thus many more cooperation opportunities between our agencies are on the horizon.
    — Josef Aschbacher (@AschbacherJosef) July 30, 2021

    “I place @ESA’s cooperation with @ISRO high on the ESA international agenda. #India’s space portfolio is expanding thus many more cooperation opportunities between our agencies are on the horizon”, Aschbacher tweeted.

  • ISRO launches merchandise to popularise space activities among youth

    Express News Service
    BENGALURU: Following the lead of several space agencies, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) too ventured into merchandising, to popularise their space activities through Tee-shirts to Toys.

    Chairman, ISRO, K Sivan on Thursday launched the ISRO-theme based merchandise programme clarified that the merchandise program has not been rolled out with a commercial interest.

    “Rather, the intent is outreach and creating awareness through common products such as toys, Do-it-Yourself kits, T-shirts, etc., which kindle curiosity and serve as reminiscence of ISRO success,” he added.

    Expressing his happiness, Sivan believed that ISRO’s story would reach every youngster and child in the country.

    “It makes me happy to see the immense interest the program has generated in such a short time. I am certain that the products created from your efforts shall reach nook and corner of the country including northeast states and Jammu & Kashmir and take the ISRO story among the youth and kids,” he said.

    The space organisation believes that the products would bring awareness and kindle interest of the students, children and public, in the domain of space science and technology. While also “propagating the achievements and laurels that ISRO brings to the nation.”

    Following the announcement of oppportunity that was floated in the past, a first batch of registered ISRO merchandisers was selected. On date, these include — Ankur Hobby Center (Gujarat), Black White Orange Brands Private Limited (Maharashtra), Indic Inspirations India Private Limited (Maharashtra),Dhruva Space Private Limited (Telangana), EENGN Private Limited (Tamil Nadu),Imagic Creatives Private Limited (Karnataka), Touchstone Enterprises Private Limited (Karnataka), Mankutimma Studios Private Limited (Karnataka) and Specific Impulse Technologies Private Limited (Punjab).

    Sivan also hoped that more creative enterprises came forward to make diverse products, highlighting ISRO’s previous and upcoming efforts to appeal to the youth.

    Scientific Secretary, ISRO, Umamaheswaran was present at the launch.