News Analysis India

Tag: Sriharikota

  • Chandrayaan-3 scripts new chapter in India’s space odyssey: PM Modi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the launch of Chandrayaan-3 as a ‘new chapter’ in India’s space odyssey and said it has elevated the dreams and ambitions of every Indian.

    The Indian Space Research Organisation launched its third lunar mission on board the heavy lift LVM3-M4 rocket in Sriharikota.

    “Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian,” Modi said in a tweet. “This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists’ relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!” he said.

    Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian. This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists’ relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity! https://t.co/gko6fnOUaK
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023
    Earlier, in a tweet this morning ahead of the launch, Modi said the Chandrayaan-3 mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation.

    Till Chandrayaan-1, the moon was believed to be a bone-dry, geologically inactive and uninhabitable celestial body while it is now seen as a dynamic and geologically active body with the presence of water and sub-surface ice, he said on Twitter. Maybe in the future, it can be potentially inhabited, the prime minister added.

    Modi tweeted, “14th July 2023 will always be etched in golden letters as far as India’s space sector is concerned. Chandrayaan-3, our third lunar mission, will embark on its journey. ”

    He noted that Chandrayaan-3 will be inserted into the lunar transfer trajectory after the orbit-raising manoeuvres. Covering over 300,000 km, it will reach the moon in the coming weeks. Scientific instruments on board will study the moon’s surface and enhance our knowledge, he said.

    “Thanks to our scientists, India has a very rich history in the space sector. Chandrayaan-1 is considered to be a path breaker among global lunar missions as it confirmed the presence of water molecules on the moon. It featured in over 200 scientific publications around the world,” Modi said.

    14th July 2023 will always be etched in golden letters as far as India’s space sector is concerned. Chandrayaan-3, our third lunar mission, will embark on its journey. This remarkable mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation. pic.twitter.com/EYTcDphaES
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023
    Giving details of the history of India’s moon mission, the prime minister said Chandrayaan-2 was equally path-breaking because data from the Orbiter associated with it detected the presence of chromium, manganese and sodium for the first time through remote sensing.

    “This will also provide more insights into the moon’s magmatic evolution.” The key scientific outcomes from Chandrayaan 2 include the first-ever global map for lunar sodium, enhancing knowledge on crater size distribution, unambiguous detection of lunar surface water ice with IIRS instrument and more. This Mission has featured in almost 50 publications,” he said ahead of the launch of Chandrayaan-3.

    Modi urged people to know more about this mission and the strides India has made in space, science and innovation. “It will make you all very proud,” he added.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the launch of Chandrayaan-3 as a ‘new chapter’ in India’s space odyssey and said it has elevated the dreams and ambitions of every Indian.

    The Indian Space Research Organisation launched its third lunar mission on board the heavy lift LVM3-M4 rocket in Sriharikota.

    “Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian,” Modi said in a tweet. “This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists’ relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian. This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists’ relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity! https://t.co/gko6fnOUaK
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023
    Earlier, in a tweet this morning ahead of the launch, Modi said the Chandrayaan-3 mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation.

    Till Chandrayaan-1, the moon was believed to be a bone-dry, geologically inactive and uninhabitable celestial body while it is now seen as a dynamic and geologically active body with the presence of water and sub-surface ice, he said on Twitter. Maybe in the future, it can be potentially inhabited, the prime minister added.

    Modi tweeted, “14th July 2023 will always be etched in golden letters as far as India’s space sector is concerned. Chandrayaan-3, our third lunar mission, will embark on its journey. ”

    He noted that Chandrayaan-3 will be inserted into the lunar transfer trajectory after the orbit-raising manoeuvres. Covering over 300,000 km, it will reach the moon in the coming weeks. Scientific instruments on board will study the moon’s surface and enhance our knowledge, he said.

    “Thanks to our scientists, India has a very rich history in the space sector. Chandrayaan-1 is considered to be a path breaker among global lunar missions as it confirmed the presence of water molecules on the moon. It featured in over 200 scientific publications around the world,” Modi said.

    14th July 2023 will always be etched in golden letters as far as India’s space sector is concerned. Chandrayaan-3, our third lunar mission, will embark on its journey. This remarkable mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation. pic.twitter.com/EYTcDphaES
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023
    Giving details of the history of India’s moon mission, the prime minister said Chandrayaan-2 was equally path-breaking because data from the Orbiter associated with it detected the presence of chromium, manganese and sodium for the first time through remote sensing.

    “This will also provide more insights into the moon’s magmatic evolution.” The key scientific outcomes from Chandrayaan 2 include the first-ever global map for lunar sodium, enhancing knowledge on crater size distribution, unambiguous detection of lunar surface water ice with IIRS instrument and more. This Mission has featured in almost 50 publications,” he said ahead of the launch of Chandrayaan-3.

    Modi urged people to know more about this mission and the strides India has made in space, science and innovation. “It will make you all very proud,” he added.

  • India gets first private rocket launchpad at Sriharikota

    Express News Service

    CHENNAI: The private space sector has been reaching for the stars and making giant leaps recently. India received its first private rocket launchpad and mission control centre at Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota on Monday, thanks to Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos. 

    This comes within weeks after India’s first private rocket Vikram-S was successfully launched by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, using a sounding rocket launcher of the Indian Space Research Organisation from Sriharikota’s shores. Inaugurating the startup’s launchpad, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said, “The first private launchpad in the country gives India one more platform to travel to space.” 

    ISRO Chairman S Somanath inauguratedChennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmosrocket launchpad and mission control centre | ExpressThe maiden launch is scheduled for sometime in December. SR Chakravarthy, one of the advisors for Agnikul and head of the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD), IIT-Madras, said, “We are pushing for Mission Readiness Review in the next 10-15 days, after which the launch date will be given by ISRO.”  

    Enough precautions were taken to ensure safety, Agnikul co-founder Moin SPM told TNIE. “There is a distance of 4 km between the Agnikul’s launchpad and the mission control centre. Both are connected with two independent lines just to have 100% redundancy and operationality.”

    A six-metre tall single-stage rocket will be flying Agnikul’s patented semi-cryogenic engine, putting India on the world map. The full-scale orbital launch vehicle Agnibaan will be a customisable, two-stage rocket, capable of taking up to 100 kg payload to orbits around 700-km high (low Earth orbits) and enables plug-and-play configuration.

    Srinath Ravichandran, CEO and co-founder of the startup, said building a launchpad was a necessity because the rocket needed a vertical lift-off. Meanwhile, ISRO’s launchpads cannot be utilised due to their gigantic size. According to ISRO, Agnikul’s launch facility can support liquid stage-controlled launches, monitor key flight safety parameters by ISRO’s range operations teams during launches, and share data with the Mission Control Centre.

    The space agency said the establishment of this private launchpad marks a significant step in opening the space sector to private players. It affirms the commitment of ISRO and the Department of Space. It may be noted Agnikul Cosmos, incubated by IIT Madras,  became the first Indian firm to sign an agreement with ISRO, in December 2020. Under the IN-SPACe initiative, the firm gained access to ISRO’s expertise to build Agnibaan vehicles and the launchpads. 

    CHENNAI: The private space sector has been reaching for the stars and making giant leaps recently. India received its first private rocket launchpad and mission control centre at Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota on Monday, thanks to Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos. 

    This comes within weeks after India’s first private rocket Vikram-S was successfully launched by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, using a sounding rocket launcher of the Indian Space Research Organisation from Sriharikota’s shores. Inaugurating the startup’s launchpad, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said, “The first private launchpad in the country gives India one more platform to travel to space.” 

    ISRO Chairman S Somanath inaugurated
    Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos
    rocket launchpad and mission control centre | ExpressThe maiden launch is scheduled for sometime in December. SR Chakravarthy, one of the advisors for Agnikul and head of the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD), IIT-Madras, said, “We are pushing for Mission Readiness Review in the next 10-15 days, after which the launch date will be given by ISRO.”  

    Enough precautions were taken to ensure safety, Agnikul co-founder Moin SPM told TNIE. “There is a distance of 4 km between the Agnikul’s launchpad and the mission control centre. Both are connected with two independent lines just to have 100% redundancy and operationality.”

    A six-metre tall single-stage rocket will be flying Agnikul’s patented semi-cryogenic engine, putting India on the world map. The full-scale orbital launch vehicle Agnibaan will be a customisable, two-stage rocket, capable of taking up to 100 kg payload to orbits around 700-km high (low Earth orbits) and enables plug-and-play configuration.

    Srinath Ravichandran, CEO and co-founder of the startup, said building a launchpad was a necessity because the rocket needed a vertical lift-off. Meanwhile, ISRO’s launchpads cannot be utilised due to their gigantic size. According to ISRO, Agnikul’s launch facility can support liquid stage-controlled launches, monitor key flight safety parameters by ISRO’s range operations teams during launches, and share data with the Mission Control Centre.

    The space agency said the establishment of this private launchpad marks a significant step in opening the space sector to private players. It affirms the commitment of ISRO and the Department of Space. It may be noted Agnikul Cosmos, incubated by IIT Madras,  became the first Indian firm to sign an agreement with ISRO, in December 2020. Under the IN-SPACe initiative, the firm gained access to ISRO’s expertise to build Agnibaan vehicles and the launchpads. 

  • Second Covid wave sweeps ISRO’s rocket station, 350 new cases reported in Sriharikota 

    Express News Service
    CHENNAI: The prestigious Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota has become the latest casualty of the second Covid wave that has wreaked havoc across the country.

    As per the conservative estimate, a whopping 350 fresh cases are reported in Sriharikota and at least two people have succumbed to the infection. 

    Officials sources in SDSC told The New Indian Express that the numbers started swirling from mid-April, which coincided with the Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency byelection. The SDSC employees were also given poll duties as observers.

    On average, 30-40 Covid positive cases are being reported daily forcing the authorities to restrict the operations in the space centre. Sources said a rotation system was introduced to carry out works with 50% of staff and the contract employees were stopped from attending duties. 

    When contacted, Nellore district collector KVN Chakradhar Badu confirmed to Express that Covid cases were on the rise inside Sriharikota township, but said the situation was under control. 

    “We are providing all the support needed. We have supplied 1,100 doses of vaccine for SDSC employees and are administered by our doctors’ team. There is a requirement for another 900 doses which will also be arranged shortly. The district administration is fully geared up to meet any requirement that arises,” Babu said. 

    ALSO READ | India records highest-ever spike of 4,01,993 new COVID-19 cases and 3,523 deaths

    On a personal note, SDSC director A Rajarajan has appealed to all employees and their family members to strictly follow the Covid protocol. “SDSC is well prepared. The analysis of the recent cases brought clear insights that the persons with travel history had greater susceptibility to infection and this coupled with our tiredness in following Covid appropriate behavior at all times.”

    Hospital infrastructure augmented

    Rajarajan said SDSC was well equipped with organised tracing strategies, testing laboratories, and treatment with critical lifesaving drugs. “Our clinical labs are equipped to test and declare the results of samples on the same day.

    This will enable the isolation of contacted personnel and restrain the spread of the virus. The hospital infrastructure is augmented both at SDSC and Satish Dhawan Memorial Hospital in Sullurpet to treat the mild to moderate Covid patients. Isolation wards and critical care ventilator beds are identified. We have increased the beds after reviewing the situation.”

    The director said Narmada guest house is declared as Covid care centre and necessary measures are taken to have adequate oxygen. “Vaccination is the only course available today to reduce the impact of the pandemic. This is very much evident from the fact that most of our frontline workers like hospital staff, safai karmacharis and CISF personnel who have completed the two doses of vaccine are not affected so far. SDSC management is closely working with State authorities and vaccine manufacturers to inoculate all the eligible employees and residents on a priority basis.” 

  • ISRO Launches PSLV-C50 Carrying India’s 42nd Communication Satellite From Sriharikota

    The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully launched the communication satellite CMS-01 onboard the PSLV-C50 at 3:41 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota on Thursday. Marking ISRO’s second launch during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PSLV will put in orbit India’s 42nd communications satellite which is expected to provide coverage over the entire country in cases of disaster management and satellite internet connection. The new CMS-01 satellite will replace the current GSAT-12 in orbit, which was launched in 2011. 

    The mission on Thursday follows the successful launch of PSLV-C49 (EOS-01) earth observation satellite and nine customer spacecraft on November 7 which was ISRO’s first mission of the year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After the INSAT and GSAT series, the satellite launched on Thursday will be the first in the new CMS series of communication satellites. As per the latest update, the fourth stage of the satellite has been normal with the PS4 engine commencing operation.