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Liftoff Day is Here!: ISRO Set to Launch PSLV-C59 with Proba-3 Mission Today

December 4, 2024, 8:59 am

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C59 / Proba-3 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday. This launch marks a significant milestone in India’s space journey.

Mission Overview

PSLV-C59 will carry satellites weighing around 550 kg into a highly elliptical orbit. Moreover, the Proba-3 mission is an “In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD)” mission by the European Space Agency (ESA), showcasing advanced space technologies.

Spacecraft to be Launched

The mission involves two spacecraft: the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC). Both spacecraft will be launched in a stacked configuration, one on top of the other, ensuring a smooth deployment.

ISRO’s Announcement on X

ISRO announced the launch on X, saying, “Liftoff Day is Here! PSLV-C59, showcasing the proven expertise of ISRO, is ready to deliver ESA’s PROBA-3 satellites into orbit. This mission, powered by NSIL with ISRO’s engineering excellence, reflects the strength of international collaboration. A proud milestone in India’s space journey and a shining example of global partnerships. Liftoff: 4th Dec 2024, 16:08 IST. Location: SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. Join NSIL, ISRO, and ESA as history unfolds!”

? Liftoff Day is Here!

PSLV-C59, showcasing the proven expertise of ISRO, is ready to deliver ESA’s PROBA-3 satellites into orbit. This mission, powered by NSIL with ISRO’s engineering excellence, reflects the strength of international collaboration.

? A proud milestone in… pic.twitter.com/KUTe5zeyIb

— ISRO (@isro) December 4, 2024

About the PSLV

The PSLV is an essential launch vehicle for ISRO, designed to carry satellites and other payloads into space. Notably, it was India’s first vehicle equipped with liquid stages. The first successful PSLV mission took place in October 1994, setting the stage for future space missions.

Launch Vehicle Details

The PSLV-C59 will feature four stages and will carry a total mass of about 320 tonnes. This robust design emphasizes the vehicle’s precision and reliability.

Precision and Collaboration

In conclusion, the PSLV-C59 mission demonstrates both ISRO‘s trusted precision and the success of international collaboration. It highlights the strength of partnerships with agencies like ESA and showcases India’s growing capabilities in space exploration.

ISRO Plans for Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota to Boost Space Capabilities

October 8, 2024, 10:10 am

As India’s space ambitions grow, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to establish a third launch pad at Sriharikota, its spaceport. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath explained the need for this new pad in an interview, highlighting that currently, only the second launch pad is operational. The first launch pad was initially designed for PSLV launches and cannot accommodate GSLV missions due to its cryogenic stage. To manage the demands of the LVM-3 and upcoming human spaceflights, the second launch pad was upgraded to handle these requirements.

Ensuring Backup and Introducing NGLV

Somanath emphasized that the third launch pad will provide redundancy in case of an emergency, like an explosion at the second pad, which could halt all GSLV launches. Additionally, the new launch pad will support the development of the New Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which follows a different design philosophy. The NGLV will be assembled horizontally and tilted for launch, requiring a pad capable of accommodating this shift. This launch vehicle will also rely more on liquid engine boosters, prompting changes in the pad’s jet deflector design.

Addressing Future Launch Needs

S. Sivakumar, project director for NGLV, explained that the three-stage vehicle with a reusable first stage is being developed to reduce costs and meet future demands. Current launch vehicles do not have the capacity needed to achieve the 20-tonne payload target for Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is more than double the 9.2-tonne capacity of LVM-3. For Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), the goal is to increase capacity from 4.3 tonnes to 9 tonnes.

NGLV’s Recovery and Reusability

Somanath discussed the challenges of recovery and reusability with NGLV. While both land and sea recoveries are possible, returning the vehicle to land requires more fuel and reduces payload capacity. Although sea recovery is more efficient, it is costly and requires the availability of platforms. The aim is to achieve confidence in land recovery before moving to sea-based methods, which will allow for higher payload capabilities.

Sivakumar also touched on the reusability of NGLV, stating that vertical and horizontal landing options are available, but the first stage needs a horizontal landing or wing-body-supported vertical landing to avoid increasing the structural mass.

Approval and Future Projects

The proposal for the third launch pad was approved by the National Space Commission during its 153rd meeting. The decision comes ahead of several major projects, including Chandrayaan-4, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), and India’s space station. ISRO will now seek final approval from the government to move forward with these initiatives.

ISRO: SSLV-D3 Earth Observation Satellite Launched Successfully

August 16, 2024, 9:58 am

On August 16, 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched an Earth observation satellite using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle-03 (SSLV-D3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This marks the final development flight of ISRO’s smallest rocket, now fully operational for future missions. The mission aims to enhance commercial satellite launch operations for NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).

The third developmental flight of SSLV is successful. The SSLV-D3 placed EOS-08 precisely into the orbit. This marks the successful completion of ISRO/DOS's SSLV Development Project: ISRO pic.twitter.com/pquwmn22je

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024

This launch follows the success of the SSLV-D2-EOS-07 mission in February 2023 and is ISRO’s third mission of 2024. The SSLV-D3, standing at 34 meters tall, is capable of carrying up to 500 kg into low Earth orbit. The mission’s objectives include the development of a microsatellite, payload instruments, and the integration of new technologies.

The EOS-08 satellite, weighing 175.5 kg with a one-year mission life, carries three payloads: the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR) for surveillance and environmental monitoring, the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R) for ocean surface wind analysis and flood detection, and the SiC UV Dosimeter for UV irradiance monitoring, vital for India’s Gaganyaan Mission. The mission is expected to bolster India’s position in the global space industry through enhanced collaboration between ISRO, Indian industry, and NSIL.

Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, the EOS-08 satellite is equipped with three primary payloads: the Electro-Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry Payload (GNSS-R), and the SiC UV Dosimeter.

The EOIR payload is designed to capture images in both the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands, allowing for day and night operations. Its applications include satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation, and monitoring of industrial and power plant disasters. The GNSS-R payload uses GNSS-R-based remote sensing to analyze ocean surface winds, assess soil moisture, study the cryosphere in the Himalayan region, detect floods, and monitor inland water bodies. The spacecraft will operate in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 475 km with a 37.4° inclination and is designed for a mission life of one year.

EOS-08 represents a notable advancement in satellite systems, featuring an Integrated Avionics system called the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package. This system integrates multiple functions into a single, efficient unit with cold redundant systems and uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. It supports up to 400 GB of data storage and includes key onboard technology components such as a structural panel with embedded PCB, an embedded battery, a Micro-DGA (Dual Gimbal Antenna), an M-PAA (Phased Array Antenna), and a flexible solar panel.

‘India’s first human spaceflight’ Gaganyaan: PM to unveil names of four Indian astronauts for space travel

February 27, 2024, 11:32 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Tuesday. During this visit, he will assess the preparations for the Gaganyaan Mission and disclose the identities of the four test pilots currently undergoing training for this mission.

PM Modi tweeted on social media informing “I will be at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow, where 3 key projects relating to the space sector will be inaugurated. These projects will ensure better technical facilities for the sector. I will also review the progress in the Gaganyaan Mission.”

In Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow, I will be at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, where 3 key projects relating to the space sector will be inaugurated. These projects will ensure better technical facilities for the sector. I will also review the progress in the Gaganyaan Mission.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2024

Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), S Somanath, also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil the identities of the four Indian astronauts chosen for the Gaganyaan mission, the country’s inaugural human spaceflight endeavor. The revelation is scheduled to take place during the Prime Minister’s visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram today.

In a social media video, the Isro Chairman disclosed that Modi would meet the astronaut-designates before disclosing their names, emphasizing that these individuals would shoulder the responsibility of pioneering the mission. Somanath stated, “They (astronauts) will be awarded the ‘wings’ or logos for them to become the chosen astronauts for the manned space mission.” Expressing delight over the Prime Minister’s visit to VSSC, Somanath highlighted the significance of this occasion.

What is Gaganyaan Mission?

The Gaganyaan project, scheduled for launch in 2025, is designed to showcase Isro’s competence in sending humans into space and ensuring their safe return to Earth, with a planned landing in Indian territorial waters. This mission is not only represents a technological advancement but also underscores India’s expanding expertise in space exploration.

Preparations for India’s first human spaceflight program, the Gaganyaan Mission, are actively underway at various ISRO centers.

In 2019, ISRO initiated a thorough selection process, scrutinizing a dozen pilots for the mission and ultimately shortlisting four candidates. The selection criteria included rigorous testing against high ‘G force,’ a pivotal aspect in the selection of Air Force pilots. The selected pilots hold ranks such as group captain or wing commander.

Although ISRO confirmed the selection of four candidates in 2020, their identities remained undisclosed. Following this confirmation, the chosen pilots underwent comprehensive space flight training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia in 2020.

Upon their return to India, they participated in a diverse array of training activities, including aero-medical, fitness, recovery, and survival training. On Air Force Day, the Indian Air Force spotlighted the demanding training regimen undergone by the selected pilots.

Additionally; visiting the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate three space infrastructure projects valued at approximately Rs 1,800 crore, aimed at providing top-notch technical facilities for the space sector. These projects comprise the PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota; the new ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and stage Test facility’ at the Isro Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri; and the ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel’ at VSSC.

Amit Shah congratulates ISRO on successful launch of XPoSat astronomy satellite

January 1, 2024, 1:52 pm

Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended his heartfelt congratulations to the ISRO scientists for their remarkable achievement on the first day of the New Year 2024.

“Brightening up the cosmos in pursuit of knowledge on the very first day of 2024 you have proven yet again that your might is our pride,” Amit Shah wrote on his X timeline.
“Congratulations to our @isro scientists on the historic launch of specialized astronomy observatory satellite XPoSat to study black holes and neutron stars in our galaxy.”

The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) was successfully launched at 9.10 am on Monday, and its lift-off proceeded smoothly, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors.

Following the triumphant mission launch, the head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), S Somanath, delivered a speech to the scientific community. He proudly announced that the PSLV-C58 vehicle had flawlessly positioned the satellite into its designated orbit of 650 km, maintaining a precise inclination of 6 degrees.

“From this point, the orbit of the PSLV will be reduced to a lower orbit, where the upper stage of the PSLV which is now described as POEM will carry out experiments with nine of the onboard payloads and that will take some time,” Somanath added.

Somanath further explained that the PSLV would subsequently be maneuvered to a lower orbit, where the upper stage, known as POEM, would conduct experiments with nine onboard payloads. This process will require some time to complete. Notably, this mission marks India’s first foray into the study of black holes, a domain previously explored by other nations.

Somanath emphasized that the development of this satellite spanned seven years, with the aim of fostering a cohort of 100 scientists capable of comprehending and contributing to the global understanding of black holes.

India’s achievements in the field of space exploration have been remarkable, with significant milestones reached in 2023, including the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s south pole and the launch of Aditya-L1, India’s inaugural solar mission.

India achieved remarkable success in 2023, as it demonstrated its exceptional capabilities by accomplishing the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s south pole and launching Aditya-L1, its inaugural solar mission. These significant milestones not only solidified India’s position in the global space industry but also ignited the growth of the private space sector within the country.

Among other achievements, India has set ambitious goals for the future. The Gaganyaan Mission is scheduled for 2024-2025, aiming to send Indian astronauts into space. Additionally, India plans to establish the ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ by 2035, further expanding its presence in space exploration. Furthermore, India aspires to send its first astronaut to the Moon by 2040, marking a historic achievement for the nation.

ISRO launches X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, will monitor X Ray emission from celestial sources

January 1, 2024, 10:39 am

In continuation of its stellar space odyssey from the previous year, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite on the first day of the New Year. Among other things, the satellite meant to provide information on space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emission from different celestial sources was launched as planned on Monday at 9.10 am from Sriharikota spaceport.

ISRO’s PSLV-C58 Mission is to launch XPOSAT Satellite into an Eastward low inclination orbit. After injection of XPOSAT, the PS4 stage will be re-started twice to reduce the orbit into 350 km circular orbit to maintain in 3-axis stabilized mode for Orbital Platform (OP) experiments. The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment will be executed meeting the objective of 10 identified payloads, supplied by ISRO and IN-SPACe.
The XPOSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
According to ISRO The XPOSAT satellite has two payloads:
POLIX: This will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. The payload is being developed by Ramam Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore in collaboration with U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). The instrument is made of a collimator, a scatterer and four X-ray proportional counter detectors that surrounds the scatterer. The scatterer is made of low atomic mass material which causes anisotropic Thomson scattering of incoming polarised X-rays. The collimator restricts the field of view to 3 degree x 3 degree so as to have only one bright source in the field of view for most observations.

Anticipation builds as ISRO counts down to launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission today

July 14, 2023, 10:05 am

There are only a few hours until the launch of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar exploration mission, which will be carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday. The GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle, which will release the moon lander and rover into space, will lift off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota at 2.30 pm. The countdown for the launch began on Thursday at 14:35:17 IST, ahead of the lift-off on Friday. Chandrayaan-3 will be ISRO’s follow-up attempt after the Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges during its soft landing on the lunar surface in 2019 and was eventually deemed to have failed its mission objectives.
The ‘Launch Rehearsal’ simulating the entire launch preparation and process was concluded earlier by the ISRO.
Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with a lander, a rover and a propulsion module. It weighs around 3,900 kilograms. The ISRO’s third lunar exploration mission is equipped with eight payloads. The experiments to be carried out by Chandrayan 3 include the Vikram lander (named after Space scientist Vikram Sarabhai) which will carry 4 instruments, Pragyan (Saanskrit for Wisdom) rover will carry two instruments and Propulsion Module or the Orbiter will carry one experiment.
Vikram lander’s experiments include Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure surface thermal properties, Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) to measure seismicity around the landing site, Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) to study the gas and plasma environment, and Passive laser retroreflector array provided by NASA for lunar ranging studies.
While the Pragyan (Saanskrit for Wisdom) rover will carry two instruments to study the surface elemental composition — Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) that will help determine the elemental composition of the lunar soil and rocks around the landing site and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) which will conduct qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis in order to infer the chemical and mineralogical composition of the lunar surface.
The Propulsion Module or the Orbiter will carry Spectropolarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) to study Earth’s spectral and polarimetric measurements from lunar orbit. This helps scientists analyse the reflected light from exoplanets and determine whether they would qualify for habitability.
The journey from Earth to the moon for the spacecraft is estimated to take about a month and the landing is expected on August 23.
Upon landing, it will operate for one lunar day, which is approximately 14 Earth days. One day on the Moon is equal to 14 days on Earth.
K Sivan, former director of ISRO, told ANI that the success of mission Chandrayan-3 will give a morale boost to programmes like Gaganyan, India’s first manned space mission.
Chandrayaan-3’s development phase commenced in January 2020 with the launch planned sometime in 2021, but the Covid-19 pandemic brought an unforeseen delay to the mission’s progress.
The major discovery of the Chandrayaan-1 mission, launched in 2008, was the detection of water (H2O) and hydroxyl (OH) on the lunar surface. Data mined by the rover then also revealed their enhanced abundance towards the polar region.
The primary science objective of the mission was to prepare a three-dimensional atlas of both the near and far sides of the Moon and to conduct chemical and mineralogical mapping of the entire lunar surface with high spatial resolution, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre under ISRO had said. A successful lunar mission by India will improve life on Earth and allow it to explore the rest of the solar system and beyond. The moon is a repository for the Earth’s past. S. Somanath, the director of the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO), previously stated that the spacecraft will land on the moon on August 23 if all goes well. According to him, the landing date was chosen based on the moon’s sunrise, but if it is delayed, it might happen next month.

2 cops among 3 dead by suicide at ISRO

January 18, 2023, 1:43 pm

Three suicides have been reported at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota in the past eight days.

Earlier on Monday, one more CISF jawan committed suicide at the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district.

This is the second suicide case in less than 24 hours, and it has shocked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at the district’s spaceport in Sriharikota.

Meanwhile, the deceased Jawan has been identified as Sub-inspector Vikas Singh (30). Singh shot himself in the head with his service weapon on Monday and died on the spot.

Moreover, Singh was a native of Uttar Pradesh and also had a wife and three children. While on duty, Singh took this extreme step while at the Sriharikota Space Launch Center.

Earlier, a 29-year-old man identified as Chintamani hanged himself to death from a tree inside the spaceport premises. Chintamani hailed from Chhattisgarh and worked at the PCMC Radar Center. The jawan returned to duty on January 10 after a long leave.

However, the Sriharikota police have registered two separate suicide cases.

IMD issues red alert in 3 Tamil Nadu districts, because of cyclone ‘Mandous’

December 9, 2022, 10:15 am

In view of cyclone ‘Mandous’ a red alert has been issued in three districts Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Kancheepuram of Tamil Nadu.

Cyclone ‘Mandous’ is very likely to cross the coast near Mamallapuram with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 mph today at midnight.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department severe cyclonic storm ‘Mandous’ is expected to move west-northwestwards and cross the coast between Puducherry and Sriharikota on the intervening night of December 9-10.

“It is very likely to maintain its intensity of Severe Cyclonic Storm till early morning of today, the 9th December, and then weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm thereafter. It would continue to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamilnadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Sriharikota around Mahabalipuram as a cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph during midnight of today, the 09th December to early hours of 10th December,” the India Meteorological Department stated.

Meanwhile, most places over the north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to have heavy rain at isolated places.

The weather forecasting agency said that the severe cyclonic storm is currently lying over the southwest Bay of Bengal, 240km east-southeast of Karaikal.

Moreover, the IMD statement stated, “It is likely to reduce to Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places likely over north Tamil Nadu on 10th December 2022.”

However, till further notice the Greater Chennai Corporation ordered to close of all parks and playgrounds.

PSLV-C54 carrying 9 satellites successfully launched by ISRO

November 26, 2022, 1:23 pm

A PSLV-C54 rocket carrying EOS-06, also known as Oceansat-3, and 8 nanosatellites have been successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

Meanwhile, at 11.56 am a two-hour multi-orbit launch mission from First Launch Pad (FLP) Sriharikota spaceport PSLV-C54 was launched.

Moreover, PSLV-C54 is on the primary payload onboard which will be separated in Orbit-1.

The statement of ISRO reads, “Subsequently, Orbit change is planned by using two Orbit ChangeThrusters (OCTs) introduced in the Propulsion Bay Ring of the PSLV-C54 Vehicle. The Passenger Payloads (PPLs) will be separated in Orbit-2.”

However, this is the 24th Flight of the PSLV-XL version with 6 PSOM-XLs and the 56th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).