Indian Space Research Organisation

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Indian Space Research Organisation
भभभभभभ भभभभभभभभभ भभभभभभभभ भभभभभ

ISRO logo
Established August 15, 1969 (41 years ago)
Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road,
Headquarters
Bangalore, India
Primary
Satish Dhawan Space Centre
spaceport
Administrator K. Radhakrishnan (Chairman)
Budget 5,778 crore (US$ 1.31 billion) (2009-10)[1]
Website ISRO's homepage

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO, Hindi: भारतीय अनतिरक अनुसंधान
संगठन) is the primary body for space research under the control of the Government of
India, and one of the leading space research organizations in the world. It was
established in its modern form in 1969 as a result of coordinated efforts initiated
earlier. Taking into consideration its budget, it is among the most efficient space
organizations on the globe.[2] Over the years, ISRO has conducted a variety of
operations for both Indian and foreign clients. ISRO's satellite launch capability is
mostly provided by indigenous launch vehicles and launch sites. In 2008, ISRO
successfully launched its first lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, while future plans include
indigenous development of GSLV, manned space missions, further lunar exploration,
and interplanetary probes. ISRO has several field installations as assets, and
cooperates with the international community as a part of several bilateral and
multilateral agreements.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Formative years
• 2 Goals and objectives
• 3 Launch vehicle fleet
o 3.1 Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)
o 3.2 Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)
o 3.3 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
o 3.4 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
o 3.5 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV III)
• 4 Earth observation and communication satellites
o 4.1 The INSAT series
o 4.2 The IRS series
o 4.3 Oceansat series
o 4.4 Other satellites
• 5 Extraterrestrial exploration
o 5.1 Lunar exploration
o 5.2 Planetary exploration
• 6 Human spaceflight program
o 6.1 Technology demonstration
o 6.2 Astronaut training and other facilities
o 6.3 Development of crew vehicle
• 7 Planetary sciences and astronomy
• 8 Field installations
o 8.1 Research facilities
o 8.2 Test facilities
o 8.3 Construction and launch facilities
o 8.4 Tracking and control facilities
o 8.5 Human resource development
o 8.6 Commercial wing
• 9 Vision for the future
o 9.1 Forthcoming launches
o 9.2 Future Launch Vehicle
o 9.3 Space Science Missions
o 9.4 YOUTHSAT
o 9.5 Satellite Navigation
o 9.6 Indian lunar exploration programme
o 9.7 Space exploration
o 9.8 IRNSS
o 9.9 Development of new launch vehicles
• 10 Applications
• 11 Global cooperation
• 12 See also
• 13 Notes
• 14 References
• 15 Further reading

• 16 External links

[edit] Formative years

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian Space Program.

Modern space research in India is most visibly traced to the activities of scientist S.K.
Mitra who conducted a series of experiments leading to the sounding of the
ionosphere by application of ground based radio methods in 1920's Calcutta.[3] Later,
Indian scientists like C.V. Raman and Meghnad Saha contributed to scientific
principles applicable in space sciences.[3] However, it was the period after 1945 which
saw important developments being made in coordinated space research in India.[3]
Organized space research in India was spearheaded by two scientists: Vikram
Sarabhai—founder of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad—and Homi
Bhabha, who had played a role in the establishment of the Tata Institute of
Fundamental Research in 1945.[3] Initial experiments in space sciences included the
study of cosmic radiation, high altitude and airborne testing of instruments, deep
underground experimentation at the Kolar mines—one of the deepest mining sites in
the world — and studies of the upper atmosphere.[4] Studies were carried out at
research laboratories, universities, and independent locations.[4][5]

Government support became visible by 1950 when the Department of Atomic Energy
(India) was founded with Homi Bhabha as secretary.[5] The Department of Atomic
Energy provided funding for space research throughout India.[6] Tests on the Earth's
magnetic field—studied in India since the establishment of the observatory at Colaba
in 1823—and aspects of meteorology continued to yield valuable information and in
1954, Uttar Pradesh state observatory was established at the foothills of the
Himalayas.[5] The Rangpur Observatory was set up in 1957 at Osmania University,
Hyderabad.[5] Both these facilities enjoyed the technical support and scientific
cooperation of the United States of America.[5] Space research was further encouraged
by the technically inclined prime minister of India—Jawaharlal Nehru.[6] In 1957, the
Soviet Union successfully launched the Sputnik and opened up possibilities for the
rest of the world to conduct a space launch.[6] The Indian National Committee for
Space Research (INCOSPAR) was found in 1962 with Vikram Sarabhai as its
chairman.[6]
Beginning in the 1960s, close ties with the Soviet Union enabled ISRO rapidly to
develop the Indian space program and advance nuclear power in India even after the
first nuclear test explosion by India on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran.[7] The death of Homi
Bhabha in an air crash on 24 January 1966 came as a blow to the Indian space
program.[8] Following Bhabha's passing, Sarabhai was sent to assume Bhabha's place
as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and secretary of the Department
of Atomic Energy.[8] The 1960s also saw the founding of the Space Science and
Technology Centre (SSTC), Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station
(ESCES, 1967), the Sriharikota base, and the Indian Satellite System Project (ISSP).[8]
The Indian Space Research Organization in its modern form was created by Vikram
Sarabhai in 1969.[8] This body was to take control of all space activities in the
Republic of India.[8]

[edit] Goals and objectives

The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to
various national tasks.[9] The Indian space program was driven by the vision of Dr
Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of Indian Space Programme.[10] As stated by
him:

There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a

“ developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not
have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in
the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we
are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in
the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of
advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.[9] ”
As also pointed out by Dr APJ Kalam:

Many individuals with myopic vision questioned the relevance of space

“ activities in a newly independent nation, which was finding it difficult to
feed its population. Their vision was clear if Indians were to play
meaningful role in the community of nations, they must be second to none
in the application of advanced technologies to their real-life problems.
They had no intention of using it as a mean to display our might.[11] ”
India's economic progress has made its space program more visible and active as the
country aims for greater self-reliance in space technology.[12] Hennock etc. hold that
India also connects space exploration to national prestige, further stating: "This year
India has launched 11 satellites, including nine from other countries—and it became
the first nation to launch satellites on one rocket."[12] Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) has successfully operationalised two major satellite systems
namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services and Indian
Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and
Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of
satellites.

[edit] Launch vehicle fleet

Comparison of Indian carrier rockets. Left to right: SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV,
GSLV III.

Geopolitical and economic considerations during the 1960s and 1970s compelled
India to initiate its own launch vehicle program.[13] During the first phase (1960s-
1970s) the country successfully developed a sounding rockets program, and by the
1980s, research had yielded the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 and the more advanced
Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), complete with operational supporting
infrastructure.[13] ISRO further applied its energies to the advancement of launch
vehicle technology resulting in the creation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) technologies.[13]

[edit] Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)

Main article: Satellite Launch Vehicle

Status: Decommissioned

The Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation SLV or SLV-3 was a
4-stage solid-fuel light launcher. It was intended to reach a height of 500 km and carry
a payload of 40 kg.[14] Its first launch took place in 1979 with 2 more in each
subsequent year, and the final launch in 1983. Only two of its four test flights were
successful.[15]

[edit] Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)

Main article: ASLV

Status: Decommissioned

The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation ASLV
was a 5-stage solid propellant rocket with the capability of placing a 150 kg satellite
into LEO. This project was started by the ISRO during the early 1980s to develop
technologies needed for a payload to be placed into a geostationary orbit. Its design
was based on Satellite Launch Vehicle.[16] The first launch test was held in 1987, and
after that 3 others followed in 1988, 1992 and 1994, out of which only 2 were
successful, before it was decommissioned.[15]

[edit] Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

Main article: PSLV

Status: Active

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an
expendable launch system developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote
Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that was, until the
advent of the PSLV, commercially viable only from Russia. PSLV can also launch
small satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The reliability and versatility
of the PSLV is proven by the fact that it has launched 30 spacecraft (14 Indian and 16
from other countries) into a variety of orbits so far.[17] In April 2008, it successfully
launched 10 satellites at once, breaking a world record held by Russia.[18]

[edit] Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)

Main article: GSLV

Status: Active

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation

GSLV, is an expendable launch system developed to enable India to launch its
INSAT-type satellites into geostationary orbit and to make India less dependent on
foreign rockets. At present, it is ISRO's heaviest satellite launch vehicle and is capable
of putting a total payload of up to 5 tons to Low Earth Orbit.

[edit] Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV III)

Main article: GSLV III

Status: Development

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III is a launch vehicle currently

under development by the Indian Space Research Organization. It is intended to
launch heavy satellites into geostationary orbit, and will allow India to become less
dependent on foreign rockets for heavy lifting. The rocket is the technological
successor to the GSLV, however is not derived from its predecessor. The maiden
flight is scheduled to take place in 2011.[19]

[edit] Earth observation and communication satellites

INSAT-1B.

India's first satellite, the Aryabhata, was launched by the Soviets in 1975. This was
followed by the Rohini series of experimental satellites which were built and launched
indigenously. At present, ISRO operates a large number of earth observation
satellites.

[edit] The INSAT series

Main article: Indian National Satellite System

INSAT (Indian National Satellite System) is a series of multipurpose geostationary

satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting,
meteorology and search-and-rescue needs of India. Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is
the largest domestic communication system in the Asia-Pacific Region. It is a joint
venture of the Department of Space, Department of Telecommunications, India
Meteorological Department, All India Radio and Doordarshan. The overall
coordination and management of INSAT system rests with the Secretary-level INSAT
Coordination Committee.

[edit] The IRS series

Main article: Indian Remote Sensing satellite

Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS) are a series of earth observation satellites,
built, launched and maintained by ISRO. The IRS series provides remote sensing
services to the country. The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite system is the largest
constellation of remote sensing satellites for civilian use in operation today in the
world. All the satellites are placed in polar sun-synchronous orbit and provide data in
a variety of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to enable several programs to be
undertaken relevant to national development.

[edit] Oceansat series

Oceansat are a series of satellites to primarily study ocean, part of IRS Series. IRS P4
is also known as Oceansat-1, was launched on 27 May 1999. On 23 September 2009
Oceansat-2 was launched.
[edit] Other satellites

ISRO has also launched a set of experimental geostationary satellites known as the
GSAT series. Kalpana-1, ISRO's first dedicated meteorological satellite, was
launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 12 September 2002. The satellite
was originally known as MetSat-1. In February 2003 it was renamed to Kalpana-1 by
the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in memory of Kalpana Chawla –
a NASA astronaut of Indian origin who perished in Space Shuttle Columbia.

[edit] Extraterrestrial exploration

India's first mission beyond Earth's orbit was Chandrayaan-1, a lunar spacecraft which
successfully entered the lunar orbit on 8 November 2008. ISRO plans to follow up
Chandrayaan-1 with Chandrayaan-2 and unmanned missions to Mars and Near-Earth
objects such as asteroids and comets.

[edit] Lunar exploration

Main article: Chandrayaan-1

Chandrayaan-1 (Sanskrit: चंदयान-१) is India's first mission to the moon. The

unmanned lunar exploration mission includes a lunar orbiter and an impactor called
the Moon Impact Probe. India launched the spacecraft using a modified version of the
PSLV is C11 on 22 October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The
vehicle was successfully inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008. It carries high-
resolution remote sensing equipment for visible, near infrared, and soft and hard X-
ray frequencies. Over its two-year operational period, it is intended to survey the lunar
surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and 3-dimensional
topography. The polar regions are of special interest, as they might contain ice. The
lunar mission carries five ISRO payloads and six payloads from other international
space agencies including NASA, ESA, and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency, which
were carried free of cost. The Chandrayaan-1 along with NASA's LRO played a
major role in discovering the existence of water on the moon.[20]

[edit] Planetary exploration

The Indian Space Research Organisation had begun preparations for a mission to
Mars and had received seed money of 10 crore from the government.The space
agency was looking at launch opportunities between 2013 and 2015.[21] The space
agency would use its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to put the
satellite in orbit and was considering using ion-thrusters, liquid engines or nuclear
power to propel it further towards Mars.[22] The Mars mission studies had already been
completed and that space scientists were trying to collect scientific proposals and
scientific objectives.[23]

[edit] Human spaceflight program

Indian Navy Frogmen recovering the SRE-1
Main article: Indian human spaceflight program

The Indian Space Research Organization has been sanctioned a budget of 12,400
crore for its human spaceflight program. According to the Space Commission which
passed the budget, an unmanned flight will be launched in 2013[24] and manned
mission will launch in 2016.[25] If realized in the stated time-frame, India will become
only the fourth nation, after the USSR, USA and China, to successfully carry out
manned missions indigenously.

[edit] Technology demonstration

The Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SCRE or more commonly SRE or SRE-1)
is an experimental Indian spacecraft which was launched using the PSLV C7 rocket,
along with three other satellites. It remained in orbit for 12 days before re-entering the
Earth's atmosphere and splashing down into the Bay of Bengal.

The SRE-1 was designed to demonstrate the capability to recover an orbiting space
capsule, and the technology for performing experiments in the microgravity
conditions of an orbiting platform. It was also intended to test thermal protection,
navigation, guidance, control, deceleration and flotation systems, as well as study
hypersonic aero-thermodynamics, management of communication blackouts, and
recovery operations.

ISRO also plans to launch SRE-2 and SRE-3 in the near future to test advanced re-
entry technology for future manned missions.

[edit] Astronaut training and other facilities

ISRO will set up an astronaut training centre in Bangalore by 2012 to prepare

personnel for flights onboard the crewed vehicle. The centre will use water simulation
to train the selected astronauts in rescue and recovery operations and survival in zero
gravity, and will undertake studies of the radiation environment of space.
ISRO will build centrifuges to prepare astronauts for the acceleration phase of the
mission. It also plans to build a new Launch pad to meet the target of launching a
manned space mission by 2015. This would be the third launchpad at the Satish
Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

[edit] Development of crew vehicle

Main article: ISRO Orbital Vehicle

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working towards a maiden

manned Indian space mission vehicle that can carry three astronauts for seven days in
a near earth orbit. The Indian manned spacecraft temporarily named as Orbital
Vehicle intend to be the basis of indigenous Indian human spaceflight program.

The capsule will be designed to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version
will be equipped with a rendezvous and docking capability. In its maiden manned
mission, ISRO's largely autonomous 3-ton capsule will orbit the Earth at 248 miles
(400 km) in altitude for up to seven days with a two-person crew on board. The crew
vehicle would launch atop of ISRO's GSLV Mk II, currently under development. The
GSLV Mk II features an indigenously developed cryogenic upper-stage engine.[26] The
first test of the cryogenic engine, held on 15 April 2010, failed as the cryogenic phase
did not perform as expected and rocket deviated from the planned trajectory.[27] A
future launch has been scheduled for 2011. If successful then ISRO will become the
sixth entity, after United States, Russia, China, Japan and Europe, to develop this
technology.

[edit] Planetary sciences and astronomy

Indian space era dawned when the first two-stage sounding rocket was launched from
Thumba in 1963. Even before this, noteworthy contributions were made by the Indian
scientists in the following areas of space science research:

• Cosmic rays and high energy astronomy using both ground based as well as
balloon borne experiments/studies such as neutron/meson monitors, Geiger
Muller particle detectors/counters etc.
• Ionospheric research using ground based radio propagation techniques such as
ionosonde, VLF/HF/VHF radio probing, a chain of magnetometer stations etc.
• Upper atmospheric research using ground based optical techniques such as
Dobson spectrometers for measurement of total ozone content, air glow
photometers etc.
• Indian astronomers have been carrying out major investigations using a
number of ground based optical and radio telescopes with varying
sophistication.

With the advent of the Indian space program, emphasis was laid on indigenous, self-
reliant and state-of-the-art development of technology for immediate practical
applications in the fields of space science research activities in the country.
There is a national balloon launching facility at Hyderabad jointly supported by TIFR
and ISRO. This facility has been extensively used for carrying out research in high
energy (i.e., x- and gamma ray) astronomy, IR astronomy, middle atmospheric trace
constituents including CFCs & aerosols, ionisation, electric conductivity and electric
fields.

The flux of secondary particles and X-ray and gamma-rays of atmospheric origin
produced by the interaction of the cosmic rays is very low. This low background, in
the presence of which one has to detect the feeble signal from cosmic sources is a
major advantage in conducting hard X-ray observations from India. The second
advantage is that many bright sources like Cyg X-1, Crab Nebula, Scorpius X-1 and
Galactic Centre sources are observable from Hyderabad due to their favourable
declination. With these considerations, an X-Ray astronomy group was formed at
TIFR in 1967 and development of an instrument with an orientable X-Ray telescope
for hard X-Ray observations was undertaken. The first balloon flight with the new
instrument was made on 28 April 1968 in which observations of Scorpius X-1 were
successfully carried out. In a succession of balloon flights made with this instrument
between 1968 and 1974 a number of binary X-ray sources including Scorpious X-1,
Cyg X-1, Her X-1 etc. and the diffuse cosmic X-ray background were studied. Many
new and astrophysically important results were obtained from these observations.[28]

One of most important achievements of ISRO in this field was the discovery of three
species of bacteria in the upper stratosphere at an altitude of between 20–40 km. The
bacteria, highly resistant to ultra-violet radiation, are not found elsewhere on Earth,
leading to speculation on whether they are extraterrestrial in origin. These three
bacteria can be considered to be extremophiles. Until then, the upper stratosphere was
believed to be inhospitable because of the high doses of Ultra-violet radiation. The
bacteria were named as Bacillus isronensis in recognition of ISRO's contribution in
the balloon experiments, which led to its discovery, Bacillus aryabhata after India's
celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata and Janibacter Hoylei after the distinguished
astrophysicist Fred Hoyle.[29]

[edit] Field installations

ISRO's headquarters is located at Antariksh Bhavan in Bangalore.

[edit] Research facilities

Facility Location Description

Solar planetary physics, infrared astronomy, geo-cosmo
Physical physics, plasma physics, astrophysics, archaeology, and
Research Ahmedabad hydrology are some of the branches of study at this
Laboratory institute.[30] An observatory at Udaipur also falls under
the control of this institution.[30]
Research & Development in the field of semiconductor
Semi-
technology, micro-electromechanical systems and
Conductor Chandigarh
process technologies relating to semiconductor
Laboratory
processing.
National Chittoor The NARL carries out fundamental and applied research
Atmospheric
Research in Atmospheric and Space Sciences.
Laboratory
Raman
RRI carries out research in selected areas of physics, such
Research Bangalore
as astrophysics and astronomy.
Institute (RRI)
The SAC deals with the various aspects of practical use
of space technology.[30] Among the fields of research at
Space
the SAC are geodesy, satellite based telecommunications,
Applications Ahmedabad
surveying, remote sensing, meteorology, environment
Centre
monitoring etc.[30] The SEC additionally operates the
Delhi Earth Station.[31]
North Eastern- Providing developmental support to North East by
Space undertaking specific application projects using remote
Shillong
Applications sensing, GIS, satellite communication and conducting
Center space science research.

[edit] Test facilities

Facility Location Description

The LPSC handles testing and implementation of
Liquid
Bangalore, liquid propulsion control packages and helps
Propulsion
Thiruvananthapuram, develop engines for launch vehicles and satellites.[30]
Systems
and Mahendragiri The testing is largely conducted at Mahendragiri.[30]
Centre
The LPSC also constructs precision transducers.[32]

[edit] Construction and launch facilities

Facility Location Description

The venue of eight successful spacecraft projects is
also one of the main satellite technology bases of
ISRO. The facility serves as a venue for
ISRO
implementing indigenous spacecrafts in India.[30] The
Satellite Bangalore
satellites Ayrabhata, Bhaskara, APPLE, and IRS-1A
Centre
were constructed at this site, and the IRS and INSAT
satellite series are presently under development here.
[32]

With multiple sub-sites the Sriharikota island facility

acts as a launching site for India's satellites.[30] The
Satish
Sriharikota facility is also the main launch base for
Dhawan
Andhra Pradesh India's sounding rockets.[32] The centre is also home
Space
to India's largest Solid Propellant Space Booster
Centre
Plant (SPROB) and houses the Static Test and
Evaluation Complex (STEX).[32]
Vikram Thiruvananthapuram The largest ISRO base is also the main technical
Sarabhai centre and the venue of development of the SLV-3,
Space ASLV, and PSLV series.[30] The base supports India's
Centre Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station and
the Rohini Sounding Rocket program.[30] This facility
 is also developing the GSLV series.[30]
Thumba
Equatorial
Rocket Thumba TERLS is used to launch sounding rockets.
Launching
Station

[edit] Tracking and control facilities

Facility Location Description

Indian Deep This network receives, processes, archives and
Space distributes the spacecraft health data and payload data in
Bangalore
Network real time. It can track and monitor satellites up to very
(IDSN) large distances, even beyond the Moon.
The NRSC applies remote sensing to manage natural
National
resources and study aerial surveying.[30] With centres at
Remote
Hyderabad Balanagar and Shadnagar it also has training facilities at
Sensing
Dehradun in form of the Indian Institute of Remote
Centre
Sensing.[30]
Bangalore
Indian Space
(headquarters) Software development, ground operations, Tracking
Research
and a number Telemetry and Command (TTC), and support is
Organisation
of ground provided by this institution.[30] ISTRAC has Tracking
Telemetry,
stations stations throughout the country and all over the world in
Tracking and
throughout Port Louis (Mauritius), Bearslake (Russia), Biak
Command
India and (Indonesia) and Brunei.
Network [31]
World.
Geostationary satellite orbit raising, payload testing, and
in-orbit operations are performed at this facility.[33] The
Master
Hassan; MCF has earth stations and Satellite Control Centre
Control
Bhopal (SCC) for controlling satellites.[33] A second MCF-like
Facility
facility named 'MCF-B' is being constructed at Bhopal.
[33]

[edit] Human resource development

Facility Location Description

Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) under
National Remote Sensing Centre, Department of
Space, Govt. of India is a premier training and
Indian Institute
educational institute set up for developing
of Remote Dehradun
trained professional in the field of Remote
Sensing (IIRS)
Sensing, Geoinformatics and GPS Technology
for Natural Resources, Environmental and
Disaster Management.
Indian Institute Thiruvananthapuram The institute offers undergraduate and graduate
of Space courses in Aerospace engineering, Avionics and
Science and Physical Sciences.
Technology
(IIST)
Indian Institute
IIA is a premier institute devoted to research in
of Astrophysics Bangalore
astronomy, astrophysics and related physics.
(IIA)
The centre works for education, research, and
training, mainly in conjunction with the INSAT
Development
program.[30] The main activities carried out at
and Educational
Ahmedabad DECU include GRAMSAT and EDUSAT
Communication
projects.[32] The Training and Development
Unit
Communication Channel (TDCC) also falls
under the operational control of the DECU.[31]

[edit] Commercial wing

Facility Location Description

Antrix The marketing agency under government control markets
Bangalore
Corporation ISRO's hardware, manpower, and software.[33]

Other facilities include:

• Balasore Rocket Launching Station (BRLS) – Orissa

• INSAT Master Control Facility (IMCF) – Bhopal
• ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) – Thiruvananthapuram
• Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS)
• Aerospace Command of India (ACI)
• Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR)
• Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
• Indian Department of Space (IDS)
• Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC)
• Spacecraft Control Centre (SCC)
• Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC)
• Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU)

[edit] Vision for the future

A model of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle III.

A model of the RLV-TD

ISRO plans to launch a number of new-generation Earth Observation Satellites in the

near future. It will also undertake the development of new launch vehicles and
spacecraft. ISRO has stated that it will send unmanned missions to Mars and Near-
Earth Objects.

Forthcoming Satellites

Satellite Name Details

Resourcesat-2 is a follow on mission to Resourcesat-1 to provide
data continuity and planned to be launched by PSLV-C16 during
RESOURCESAT- January 2011. Compared to Resourcesat-1, LISS-4 multispectral
2 swath has been enhanced from 23 km to 70 km based on user
needs. Suitable changes including miniaturisation in payload
electronics have been incorporated in Resourcesat-2.
 Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) is a microwave remote sensing
satellite carrying a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

RISAT - 1 The satellite weighing around 1850 kg is in the final stages of

development for a launch in 2011 into a 536 km orbit with 25 days
repetitivity with an added advantage of 12 days inner cycle for
Coarse Resolution ScanSAR mode.
ISRO and French National Space Centre (CNES) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2004-05 for the
development and implementation of Megha-Tropiques (Megha
meaning cloud in Sanskrit and Tropiques meaning tropics in
French). The launch of Megha-Tropiques is planned during mid
2011.Megha-Tropiques is aimed at understanding the life cycle of
Megha-Tropiques convective systems and to their role in the associated energy and
moisture budget of the atmosphere in the tropical regions. The
satellite will carry an Imaging Radiometer Microwave Analysis
and Detection of Rain and Atmospheric Structures (MADRAS), a
six channel Humidity Sounder (SAPHIR), a four channel Scanner
for Radiation Budget Measurement (SCARAB) and GPS Radio
Occultation System (GPS-ROS).
INSAT-3D is a meteorological satellite, planned to be launched
on-board GSLV in 2011. The satellite has many new technology
elements like star sensor, micro stepping Solar Array Drive
Assembly (SADA) to reduce the spacecraft disturbances and Bus
INSAT - 3D
Management Unit (BMU) for control and telecomm and/telemetry
function. It also incorporates new features of bi-annual rotation
and Image and Mirror motion compensations for improved
performance of the meteorological payloads.
The Satellite for ARGOS and ALTIKA (SARAL) is a joint ISRO-
CNES mission and planned to be launched during 2011. The Ka
band altimeter, ALTIKA, provided by CNES payload consists of a
Ka-band radar altimeter, operating at 35.75 GHz. A dual frequency
total power type microwave radiometer (23.8 and 37 GHz) is
SARAL embedded in the altimeter to correct tropospheric effects on the
altimeter measurement. Doppler Orbitography and Radio-
positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) on board enables
precise determination of the orbit. A Laser Retroreflector Array
(LRA) helps to calibrate the precise orbit determination system
and the altimeter system several times throughout the mission.
ASTROSAT is a first dedicated Indian Astronomy satellite
mission, which will enable multi-wavelength observations of the
celestial bodies and cosmic sources in X-ray and UV spectral
bands simultaneously. The scientific payloads cover the Visible
ASTROSAT
(3500-6000 Ã…), UV (1300-3000 Ã…), soft and hard X-ray
regimes (0.5-8 keV; 3-80 keV). The uniqueness of ASTROSAT
lies in its wide spectral coverage extending over visible, UV, soft
and hard X-ray regions.
GSAT-5P Configured as an exclusive C-band communication satellite,
GSAT-5P/INSAT-4D will carry 12 normal C-band transponders
 and 6 extended C-band transponders with wider coverage in uplink
and downlink over Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe as well as
zonal coverage with a minimum of 35 dBW EIRP. The spacecraft
has a mission life of 12 years and planned to be launched onboard
GSLV-F06.
The primary goal of GSAT-6/INSAT-4E, which is a Multimedia
broadcast satellite, is to cater to the consumer requirements of
providing entertainment and information services to vehicles
GSAT-6 / INSAT-
through Digital Multimedia consoles and to the Multimedia mobile
4E
Phones. The satellite carries a 5 spot beam BSS and 5 spot beam
MSS. It will be positioned at 83º East longitude with a mission life
of 12 years. The launch is planned on-board GSLV during 2011.
GSAT-7/INSAT-4F is a multi-band satellite carrying payloads in
UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band. It is planned to be launched
GSAT-7 / INSAT-
during 2011 onboard GSLV and positioned at 74º East. The
4F
satellite weighs 2330 kg with a payload power of 2000W and
mission life of 9 years.
GSAT-8/INSAT-4G is a Ku-band satellite carrying 18 Ku band
transponders. It will also carry a GPS Aided Geo Augmented
GSAT-8 / INSAT- Navigation (GAGAN) payload and planned to be launched during
4G 2011 with a mission life of 12 years and positioned at 55º E
longitude. This I-3K satellite with a lift-off mass of 3150 kg and a
payload power of 5300W will be launched on board ARIANE-5.
GSAT-12 is being realised as replacement INSAT-3B. The
satellite will carry 12 Extended C-band transponders and will be
positioned at 83º East longitude with a mission life of 7 years. The
GSAT-12 bus system is based on I-1K platform with ASIC based BMU and
64 Ah Li-ion batteries. The satellite weighs 1375 kg with a
payload power of 550W and launch is planned onboard PSLV
during 2011.
GSAT-9 will carry 6 C band and 24 Ku band transponders with
India coverage beam. The satellite is planned to be launched
GSAT-9 during 2011-12 with a mission life of 12 years and positioned at
48º East longitude. This I-2K satellite has a liftoff mass of 2330 kg
and payload power of 2300W.
GSAT-I0 will carry 12 Normal C-band, 12 Extended C-band and
12 Ku-band transponders. It will also carry GPS Aided Geo
Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload. The satellite is
GSAT-10 planned to be launched during 2011 with a mission life of 15 years
and positioned at 83º East longitude. This I-3K satellite with liftoff
mass of 3435 kg and payload power of 4500 W will be launched
on board ARIANE-5.

[edit] Forthcoming launches

GSLV-F06
Realisation of subsystem for the next flight of the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch
Vehicle (GSLV-F06) carrying GSAT-5P is in advanced stage. The GSLV-F06 is
expected be launched on December 10, 2010.

PSLV-C16

Preparation for the next flight Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C16) carrying
RESOURCESAT-2 is in advanced stage. The PSLV-C16 is expected be launched in
January 2011.

[edit] Future Launch Vehicle

GSLV-Mk III

GSLV-Mk III is envisaged to launch four tonne satellite into geosynchronous transfer
orbit. GSLV-Mk III is a three-stage vehicle with a 110 tonne core liquid propellant
stage (L-110) and a strap-on stage with two solid propellant motors, each with 200
tonne propellant (S-200). The upper stage will be cryogenic with a propellant loading
of 25 tonne (C-25). GSLV Mk-III will have a lift-off weight of about 629 tonne and
will be 42.4 m tall. The payload fairing will have a diameter of 5 metre and a payload
volume of 100 cubic metre. GSLV Mk III is planned to be launched during 2011-12.

Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)

As a first step towards realizing a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable launch
vehicle, a series of technology demonstration missions have been conceived. For this
purpose a Winged Reusable Launch Vehicle technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) has
been configured. The RLV-TD will act as a flying test bed to evaluate various
technologies viz., hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and
hypersonic flight using air breathing propulsion. First in the series of demonstration
trials is the hypersonic flight experiment (HEX). Human Space Flight Mission
Programme

Proposal for a management plan for Human Spaceflight Programme (HSP) was
prepared and pre-project activities were approved. The program envisages
development of a fully autonomous orbital vehicle carrying two or three crew
members to about 300 km low earth orbit and their safe return. It is planned to realise
the programme in 2015-16 time frame.

[edit] Space Science Missions

Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-II) The main objective of SRE II is to

realize a fully recoverable capsule and provide a platform to conduct microgravity
experiments on Micro-biology, Agriculture, Powder Metallurgy, etc. SRE-2 is
proposed to be launched onboard PSLV-C19 in of 2010 - 11.

Chandrayaan-2 Chandrayaan-2 mission is planned to have an orbiter/lander/rover

configuration. The mission is expected to be realised by 2012 - 13. The science goals
of the mission is to further improve our understanding of origin and evolution of the
Moon using instruments onboard Orbiter and in-situ analysis of lunar samples and
studies of lunar regolith properties (remote & direct analysis) using Robots/Rovers.

Aditya-1 The First Indian space based Solar Coronagraph to study solar Corona in
visible and near IR bands. Launch of the Aditya mission is planned during the next
high solar activity period ~ 2012. The main objectives is to study the Coronal Mass
Ejection (CME) and consequently the crucial physical parameters for space weather
such as the coronal magnetic field structures, evolution of the coronal magnetic field
etc. This will provide completely new information on the velocity fields and their
variability in the inner corona having an important bearing on the unsolved problem
of heating of the corona would be obtained.

[edit] YOUTHSAT

YOUTHSAT is a participatory scientific mission with payloads from both Russia and
India. It would be carrying three scientific payloads one from Russia and two from
India.

It is a micro satellite carrying scientific payloads with participation from universities

at graduate, postgraduate and research scholar level and would participate from
testing of the payloads in laboratory to the utilisation of the data from payloads.
Participation of young scientists will inculcate interest in space related activities and
provide opportunities for realisation of future scientific payloads at the university
level. YOUTHSAT is scheduled to be launched as auxiliary satellite along with
Indian remote sensing satellite during 2010 with an orbital altitude of 630 km at an
inclination of 97.9º.

[edit] Satellite Navigation

GAGAN

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to implement an indigenous Satellite-

Based Regional GPS Augmentation System also known as Space-Based
Augmentation System (SBAS) as part of the Satellite-Based Communications,
Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)/Air Traffic Management (ATM) plan for civil
aviation. The Indian SBAS system has been given an acronym GAGAN - GPS Aided
GEO Augmented Navigation. A national plan for satellite navigation including
implementation of Technology Demonstration System (TDS) over the Indian air
space as a proof of concept has been prepared jointly by Airports Authority of India
(AAI) and ISRO. TDS was successfully completed during 2007 by installing eight
Indian Reference Stations (INRESs) at eight Indian airports and linked to the Master
Control Center (MCC) located near Bangalore.

The first GAGAN navigation payload has been fabricated and it was proposed to be
flown on GSAT-4 during Apr 2010. However, GSAT-4 was not placed in orbit as
GSLV-D3 could not complete the mission. Two more GAGAN payloads will be
subsequently flown, one each on two geostationary satellites, GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.

[edit] Indian lunar exploration programme

 • Following the success of Chandrayaan-1, the country's first moon mission,
ISRO is planning a series of further lunar missions in the next decade,
including a manned mission which is stated to take place in 2020 –
approximately the same time as the China National Space Administration
(CNSA) manned lunar mission and NASA's Project Constellation plans to
return to the moon with its Orion-Altair project.
• Chandrayaan-2 (Sanskrit: चंदयान-२) is the second unmanned lunar exploration
mission proposed by ISRO at a projected cost of 425 crore (US$ 90 million).
The mission includes a lunar orbiter as well as a lander/rover. The wheeled
rover will move on the lunar surface and pick up soil or rock samples for on-
site chemical analysis. The data will be sent to Earth via the orbiter

[edit] Space exploration

• ISRO plans to carry out an unmanned mission to Mars in this decade.

According to ISRO, the Mars mission remains at a conceptual stage but is
expected to be finalised shortly. The current version of India's geo-
synchronous satellite launch vehicle will be used to loft the new craft into
space.[34]

• ISRO is designing a solar probe named Aditya. This is a mini-satellite

designed to study the coupling between the sun and the earth. It is planned to
be launched in 2012.

[edit] IRNSS

Main article: IRNSS

The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) is an autonomous

regional satellite navigation system being developed by Indian Space Research
Organisation which would be under total control of Indian government. The
requirement of such a navigation system is driven by the fact that access to Global
Navigation Satellite Systems like GPS are not guaranteed in hostile situations. ISRO
plans to launch the constellation of satellites between 2010 and 2012.

[edit] Development of new launch vehicles

ISRO is currently developing two new-generation launch vehicles, the GSLV-Mk III
and the AVATAR RLV. These launch vehicles will increase ISRO's present launch
capability and provide India with a greater share of the global satellite launch market.

[edit] Applications
India uses its satellites communication network – one of the largest in the world – for
applications such as land management, water resources management, natural disaster
forecasting, radio networking, weather forecasting, meteorological imaging and
computer communication.[35] Business, administrative services, and schemes such as
the National Informatics Centre (NICNET) are direct beneficiaries of applied satellite
technology.[35] Dinshaw Mistry—on the subject of practical applications of the Indian
space program—writes:

The INSAT-2 satellites also provide telephone links to remote areas; data
transmission for organizations such as the National Stock Exchange; mobile satellite
service communications for private operators, railways, and road transport; and
broadcast satellite services, used by India’s state-owned television agency as well as
commercial television channels. India’s EDUSAT (Educational Satellite), launched
aboard the GSLV in 2004, was intended for adult literacy and distance learning
applications in rural areas. It augmented and would eventually replace such
capabilities already provided by INSAT-3B.

The IRS satellites have found applications with the Indian Natural Resource
Management program, with regional Remote Sensing Service Centers in five Indian
cities, and with Remote Sensing Application Centers in twenty Indian states that use
IRS images for economic development applications. These include environmental
monitoring, analyzing soil erosion and the impact of soil conservation measures,
forestry management, determining land cover for wildlife sanctuaries, delineating
groundwater potential zones, flood inundation mapping, drought monitoring,
estimating crop acreage and deriving agricultural production estimates, fisheries
monitoring, mining and geological applications such as surveying metal and mineral
deposits, and urban planning.

India’s satellites and satellite launch vehicles have had military spin-offs. While
India’s 93–124 mile (150–250 km) range Prithvi missile is not derived from the
Indian space program, the intermediate range Agni missile is drawn from the Indian
space program’s SLV-3. In its early years, when headed by Vikram Sarabhai and
Satish Dhawan, ISRO opposed military applications for its dual-use projects such as
the SLV-3. Eventually, however, the Defence Research and Development (DRDO)–
based missile program borrowed human resources and technology from ISRO.
Missile scientist A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (elected president of India in 2002), who had
headed the SLV-3 project at ISRO, moved to DRDO to direct India’s missile
program. About a dozen scientists accompanied Abdul Kalam from ISRO to DRDO,
where Abdul Kalam designed the Agni missile using the SLV-3’s solidfuel first stage
and a liquid-fuel (Prithvi-missile-derived) second stage. The IRS and INSAT satellites
were primarily intended and used for civilian-economic applications, but they also
offered military spin-offs. In 1996 New Delhi’s Ministry of Defence temporarily
blocked the use of IRS-1C by India’s environmental and agricultural ministries in
order to monitor ballistic missiles near India’s borders. In 1997 the Indian air force’s
“Airpower Doctrine” aspired to use space assets for surveillance and battle
management.[36]

Institutions like the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the Indian
Institute of Technology use satellites for scholarly applications.[37] Between 1975 and
1976, India conducted its largest sociological program using space technology,
reaching 2400 villages through video programming in local languages aimed at
educational development via ATS-6 technology developed by NASA.[38] This
experiment—named Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE)—conducted
large scale video broadcasts resulting in significant improvement in rural education.[38]
ISRO has applied its technology to "telemedicine", directly connecting patients in
rural areas to medical professionals in urban locations via satellites.[37] Since high-
quality healthcare is not universally available in some of the remote areas of India, the
patients in remote areas are diagnosed and analyzed by doctors in urban centres in real
time via video conferencing.[37] The patient is then advised medicine and treatment.[37]
The patient is then treated by the staff at one of the 'super-specialty hospitals' under
instructions from the doctor.[37] Mobile telemedicine vans are also deployed to visit
locations in far-flung areas and provide diagnosis and support to patients.[37]

ISRO has also helped implement India's Biodiversity Information System, completed
in October 2002.[39] Nirupa Sen details the program: "Based on intensive field
sampling and mapping using satellite remote sensing and geospatial modelling tools,
maps have been made of vegetation cover on a 1 : 250,000 scale. This has been put
together in a web-enabled database which links gene-level information of plant
species with spatial information in a BIOSPEC database of the ecological hot spot
regions, namely northeastern India, Western Ghats, Western Himalayas and Andaman
and Nicobar Islands. This has been made possible with collaboration between the
Department of Biotechnology and ISRO."[39]

The Indian IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was equipped with high-resolution panchromatic

equipment to enable it for cartographic purposes.[10] IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was
followed by a more advanced model named IRS-P6 developed also for agricultural
applications.[10] The CARTOSAT-2 project, equipped with single panchromatic
camera which supported scene-specific on-spot images, succeed the CARTOSAT-1
project.[40]

[edit] Global cooperation

ISRO has had the benefit of International cooperation since inception.

• Establishment of TERLS, conduct of SITE & STEP, launches of Aryabhata,

Bhaskara, APPLE, IRS-IA and IRS-IB/ satellites, manned space mission, etc.
involved international cooperation.
• ISRO operates LUT/MCC under the international COSPAS/SARSAT
Programme for Search and Rescue.
• India has established a Center for Space Science and Technology Education in
Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) that is sponsored by the United Nations.
• India hosted the Second UN-ESCAP Ministerial Conference on Space
Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific in
November 1999.
• India is a member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of
Outer Space, Cospas-Sarsat, International Astronautical Federation,
Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), Inter-Agency Space Debris
Coordination Committee (IADC), International Space University, and the
Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS).[41]
• Chandrayaan-1 carried scientific payloads from NASA, ESA and the
Bulgarian Space Agency.
• The Russian Space Agency is cooperating with India in developing the rover
for Chandrayaan-2 and also in the Indian manned mission.
ISRO and the Department of Space have signed formal Memorandum of
Understanding agreements with a number of foreign political entities, including:-

• Australia • Italy
• Brazil • Japan
• China • Kazakhstan
• Canada • Netherlands
• Egypt • Norway
• European Union • Russia
• France • Sweden
• Germany • Ukraine
• Hungary • United Kingdom

• Israel • United States

India carries out joint operations with foreign space agencies, such as the Indo-French
Megha-Tropiques Mission.[41] On 25 June 2002 India and the European Union agreed
to bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology.[42] A joint EU-India
group of scholars was formed on 23 November 2001 to further promote joint research
and development.[42] India holds observer status at CERN while a joint India-EU
Software Education and Development Center is due at Bangalore.[42]

[edit] See also

• List of Space Agencies
• Asian Space Race
• Bhuvan
• AVATAR RLV
• GSLV Mk.III
• List of Indian satellites
• Bhoosampada
• Communication-Centric Intelligence Satellite

[edit] Notes