The emission-free and efficient nature of Fuel Cells positions them as crucial components for future space habitats…reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced a significant milestone on the space exploration frontier as it successfully tested a 100 W class Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell based Power System (FCPS) on its orbital platform, PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM3).
Launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C58) on January 1, the experiment marked a crucial step in assessing the operation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cells in the space environment.
ISRO took to the social media platform X and posted, “POEM-3 on PSLV-C58: VSSC/ISRO successfully tests a 100 W class Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell on PSLV-C58’s orbital platform, POEM3. https://isro.gov.in/FuelCellFlightTestedPSLVC58.html… Powering missions with efficiency and emitting only water, these fuel cells are the future for power production in space habitats”.
According to ISRO, the primary objective of this experiment was to collect valuable data that would aid in designing systems for future space missions.
During the short-duration test onboard POEM3, the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell generated 180 W of power using Hydrogen and Oxygen gases stored in high-pressure vessels.
The test provided a wealth of data on the performance of various static and dynamic systems integral to the power system, shedding light on the physics at play in space.
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells utilize Hydrogen and Oxygen gases to produce electricity directly, accompanied by the generation of pure water and heat.
Unlike conventional generators that rely on combustion reactions, these fuel cells operate on electrochemical principles, similar to batteries.
Their efficiency stems from the ability to produce electricity directly from fuels, making them highly efficient. Moreover, they are emission-free, with water being the only by-product.
These fuel cells present an ideal solution for space missions involving human presence, as they can fulfil the essential requirements of electric power, water, and heat in a single system.
The emission-free and efficient nature of Fuel Cells positions them as crucial components for future space habitats.
Beyond space exploration, Fuel Cells hold significant potential for societal applications. They are seen as a promising solution to replace engines in various types of vehicles and power standby systems.
With capabilities matching conventional engines in terms of range and fuel recharge time, Fuel Cells present a compelling alternative to batteries in the realm of emission-free transportation.
The successful testing of the Fuel Cell on PSLV-C58’s orbital platform reflects ISRO’s commitment to advancing space technology and exploring sustainable solutions for future space missions.
The fuel cell’s ability to provide both power and pure water makes it an ideal power source for space stations, emphasizing its multifaceted potential in the realm of space exploration. (ANI)
Jaishankar took to social media to extend his applause to ISRO on the achievement….reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for bagging the prestigious Leif Erikson Lunar Prize.
Jaishankar took to social media to extend his applause to ISRO on the achievement.
“Congratulations @isro for the 2023 Leif Erikson Lunar Prize. Chandrayaan brings more laurels to the nation,” posted Jaishankar on X.
Notably, in a momentous recognition of India’s space prowess, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been feted with the prestigious Leif Erikson Lunar Prize by the Husavik Museum in Iceland.
The award acknowledges ISRO’s unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit in propelling lunar exploration forward and contributing significantly to unravelling celestial mysteries, particularly through the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission.
“Leif Erikson Lunar Prize has been awarded by Husavik Museum for @ISRO’s indomitable spirit in advancing lunar exploration & contributing to understanding celestial mysteries #Chandrayaan3,” the Indian Embassy in Iceland posted on X.
Indian Ambassador Balasubramanian Shyam received the prestigious prize on behalf of ISRO.”ISRO Chairman Mr S Somanath sent a message; Amb Mr Shyam received the prize on ISRO’s behalf,” the embassy’s post added.
Indian Ambassador Balasubramanian Shyam received the prestigious Leif Erikson Lunar Prize on behalf of ISRO. “ISRO Chairman Mr S.Somanath sent a message; Amb Mr Shyam received the prize on ISRO’s behalf,” the embassy’s post added.
The triumph of Chandrayaan-3 marked a historic milestone on August 23 when the lander module successfully touched down on the moon’s South Pole. India became the fourth nation, following the United States, China, and Russia, to achieve a successful lunar landing. The mission not only showcased technological prowess but also signalled redemption after the disappointment of the Chandrayaan-2 crash landing four years earlier.
Post-landing, the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover conducted various tasks on the lunar surface, including detecting the presence of sulfur and other elements, recording relative temperature, and monitoring lunar activities. The success of Chandrayaan-3 further solidified India’s standing in lunar exploration.
Following the lunar triumph, India swiftly moved ahead with its maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1, launched on September 2. The spacecraft has successfully undergone multiple maneuvers, including four earth-bound maneuvers and a crucial Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) maneuver, enabling it to escape Earth’s sphere of influence.
In the most recent development, the Propulsion Module (PM) of Chandrayaan-3 achieved another feat by transitioning from lunar orbit to Earth’s orbit.
The Indian Space Research Organisation shared the achievement on X, stating, “Chandrayaan-3 Mission: Ch-3’s Propulsion Module (PM) takes a successful detour! In another unique experiment, the PM is brought from Lunar orbit to Earth’s orbit. An orbit-raising manoeuvre and a Trans-Earth injection manoeuvre placed PM in an Earth-bound orbit.” (ANI)
In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated August 23rd, the day of Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing, as ‘National Space Day,’ marking it as a historic event in India’s space exploration….reports Asian Lite News
The Diamond Jubilee of India’s first sounding rocket launch from Thumba in Kerala coincides with the year 2023 which saw the historic twin feats of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions, said Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh.
The year 2023 will also go down in history as the year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the 23rd of August, the day Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon, as ‘National Space Day’, he said.
Jitendra Singh, who is also the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology was addressing the Commemoration of the 60th year of the First Sounding Rocket Launch at a function at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station (TERLS) on Saturday.
On the occasion, Jitendra Singh witnessed the ceremonial launch of a similar Sounding Rocket undertaken from the Space pod where the original launch took place on November 21, 1963. In a symbolic gesture, the countdown was announced by Pramod P Kale, who read out the countdown way back on the first launch 60 years ago.
Later, addressing the media, Jitendra Singh said, the success of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions reiterates India’s indigenous capabilities and vindicates the dream that Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the first Chairman of ISRO and the founding father of India’s Space Programme, saw six decades ago.
“It is also a vindication of the dream of Vikram Sarabhai, who might have been short of resources, but not short of confidence because he had faith in himself and in India’s inherent potential and inherent acumen,” said Singh.
Building on the success of Indian Space initiatives which got a boost in the last 4 to 5 years, including the recent Chandrayan-3 and Aditya L1 Missions, Singh said, PM Modi has asked ISRO to aim for India’s first manned Space Mission ‘Gaganyaan’ by 2025, lunar sample return mission, ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and the first Indian to set foot on the Moon by 2040.
Stating that India’s Space programme is now at an equal pace with the world’s leading Space agencies, Jitendra Singh said that NASA might have been the first to land on the moon, but it was India’s Chandrayaan-1 that discovered water molecules on the Moon and now Chandrayaan-3 has for the first time landed on the South Pole of the moon. (ANI)
After twists & turns, the Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, successfully flight tests crew escape system, module for human space mission, reports Venkatachari Jagannathan
After some twists and turns and suspense, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday successfully flight tested the crew escape system, crew module that would carry the country’s astronauts sometime in 2025.
The mission was called Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1).
Announcing the mission’s success ISRO Chairman S.Somanath said: “The TV-D1 mission was to demonstrate the crew escape system for Gaganyaan (the name for Indian human space mission).”
He said the parachutes opened and the crew module touch down on the Bay of Bengal at the required velocity.
The crew module will be recovered from the sea by the Indian Navy ship and brought to the Chennai Port.
On the twists and turns, Somanath said owing to the weather and poor visibility conditions the launch which was originally slated at 8 a.m. was postponed to 8.45 a.m. And just five seconds before the lift off from the first launch pad, the computer systems held back the rocket due to a non-conformance in the system.
He said the issue was identified and sorted out quickly.
The rocket had to be filled with gases and then the mission happened.
Measuring about 35 tall and weighing about 44 tonnes, the test vehicle/rocket uses a modified Vikas engine which is powered by liquid fuel.
The ISRO had modified the L40 booster Vikas engine used to power the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) formerly called GSLV-Mk2.
The crew module and crew escape system are mounted at the fore end of the rocket.
Five seconds to lift off and while one was able to see some fire and some smoke from the rocket’s tail, the full fledged ignition did not happen and the automatic launch sequence was put on hold.
This in turn brought the memories of the first flight of GSLV-D1 way back in March 2001. Then, the rocket was held back just one second before it was to lift off carrying communication satellite GSAT-1.
Even then some initial ignition was noticed but soon it stopped.
The rocket was subsequently launched on April 18, 2001 Be that as it may, with the lift off on hold, Somanath had announced postponement of the TV-D1 launch to a future date.
However the ISRO team quickly checked and sorted out the reason for the launch put on hold. The test rocket finally lifted off from the first launch pad here at 10 a.m. and the whole mission got completed in about nine minutes.
“It was a big training for the Gaganyaan mission,” Somanath said.
The entire flight sequence — from the test rocket’s lift off to the crew module touchdown at the sea with the deployment of parachutes – took about nine minutes.
According to ISRO, the mass of the crew module is 4,520 kg and is a single walled unpressurised aluminium structure.
At about 61 seconds into the flight and at an altitude of 11.9 km, the test vehicle/rocket and the crew escape system got separated. Soon after that the crew module and crew escape system got separated.
Subsequently, the abort sequence was executed autonomously commencing with the separation of crew escape system and deployment of the series of parachutes, finally culminating in the safe touchdown of the crew module in the sea, about 10 km from the coast of Sriharikota.
The crew module will house the astronauts in a pressurised earthlike atmospheric condition during the real human space mission.
Currently the crew module for the Gaganyaan mission is in different stages of development.
The TV-D1 is an unpressurised version but has an overall size and mass of actual Gaganyaan crew module and would house all the systems for the deceleration and recovery.
The avionics systems in the crew module are in a dual redundant mode configuration for navigation, sequencing, telemetry, instrumentation and power.
According to ISRO, the crew module in this mission is extensively instrumented to capture the flight data for evaluation of the performance of various systems.
The deceleration of the crew module was done with parachutes with pyro systems when it was at about an altitude of 17 km.
The crew module finally splashed down on Bay of Bengal at about 10 km from the launch pad at Sriharikota.
This Test Vehicle mission with this crew module is a significant milestone for the overall Gaganyaan programme as a near-complete system is integrated for a flight test.
The success of this test flight has set the stage for the remaining qualification tests and unmanned missions, leading to the first Gaganyaan mission with Indian astronauts.
The ISRO chief further said that apart from the software, ISRO is also going ahead with various tests focusing on the safety of the hardware chips inside the rockets…reports Asian Lite News
S Somanath, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday said that the country’s space agency is facing more than 100 cyber-attacks daily.
Somanath, while speaking on the concluding session of the 16th edition of the c0c0n, a two-day international cyber conference in Kerala’s Kochi, further said that the possibility of cyber-attacks is much higher in rocket technology which uses ultra-modern software and chip-based hardware.
“The organisation is equipped with a robust cybersecurity network to face such attacks,” he said.
Notably, the conference was organised by the Kerala Police and Information Security Research Association here.
The ISRO chief further said that apart from the software, ISRO is also going ahead with various tests focusing on the safety of the hardware chips inside the rockets.
“Earlier, the way of monitoring one satellite has changed to a way of software monitoring many satellites at a time. This indicates the growth of this sector. During COVID, it was possible to launch from a remote location which shows the triumph of technology,” he added.
He further said that there are different types of satellites that branch out for navigation, maintenance, etc.
“And apart from these, satellites which help the daily life of common people are also present. All these are controlled by different types of software. Cyber security is very important to protect all of these,’ Somanath added.
He said advanced technology is a boon and a threat at the same time.
“We can face the challenges posed by cyber criminals using technology like artificial intelligence with the same technology. There should be research and hard work towards this end,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kerala Revenue Minister P Rajeev, who inaugurated the concluding session of the conference said that the state is a role model for cyber security governance as the state government is capable of providing adequate security to the cyber arena.
“The state government is capable of providing adequate security to the cyber arena. The government is also providing necessary support to this sector by establishing the Digital University in the state. Kerala is a state where the internet is ensured through K-Fone in every house,” the minister said.
He further said that the c0c0n is a role model for the Indian cyber security sector, which is making the necessary innovations for cyber security.
“C0c0n is capable of creating cyber security experts among the next generation,” P Rajeev added.
Hibi Eden MP presided over the function in which Mayor M Anilkumar was the chief guest. Actor Mamta Mohandas, Intelligence ADGP Manoj Abraham IPS and ISRA president Manu Zacharia also addressed the event. (ANI)
Preparations for the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1), which demonstrates the performance of the Crew Escape System, are underway
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the first Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) to demonstrate the crew escape system as part of its human space mission called Gaganyaan.
According to the space agency, it will commence unmanned flight tests for the Gaganyaan mission.
“Preparations for the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1), which demonstrates the performance of the Crew Escape System, are underway,” ISRO said.
The first development flight Test Vehicle (TV-D1) is in the final stages of preparation.
The Test Vehicle is a single-stage liquid rocket developed for this abort mission.
“The payloads consist of the Crew Module (CM) and Crew Escape Systems (CES) with their fast-acting solid motors, along with CM fairing (CMF) and Interface Adapters,” ISRO said.
This flight will simulate the abort condition during the ascent trajectory corresponding to a Mach number of 1.2 encountered in the Gaganyaan mission.
ISRO said the Crew Escape System with Crew Module will be separated from the Test Vehicle at an altitude of about 17 km.
“Subsequently, the abort sequence will be executed autonomously commencing with the separation of CES (Crew Escape System) and deployment of the series of parachutes, finally culminating in the safe touchdown of CM (Crew Module) in the sea, about 10 km from the coast of Sriharikota,” ISRO said.
The Crew Module will house the astronauts in a pressurised earthlike atmospheric condition during the Gaganyaan mission.
It is in different stages of development.
For the TV-D1, the Crew Module is an unpressurised version that has completed its integration and testing and is ready to be shipped to the launch complex.
This unpressurised Crew Module version has to have an overall size and mass of actual Gaganyaan Crew Module and would house all the systems for the deceleration and recovery.
With its complete set of parachutes, recovery aids, actuation systems and pyros.
The avionics systems in Crew Module are in a dual redundant mode configuration for navigation, sequencing, telemetry, instrumentation and power.
According to ISRO, the Crew Module in this mission is extensively instrumented to capture the flight data for evaluation of the performance of various systems.
It will be recovered after touchdown in the Bay of Bengal, using a dedicated vessel and diving team from the Indian Navy.
The space agency said the Crew Module after integration underwent various electrical testing, at ISRO’s facility in Bengaluru, including an acoustic test and was dispatched to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on August 13.
At Sriharikota, it will undergo vibration tests and pre-integration with the Crew Escape System, before final integration to the Test Vehicle at the Launch Pad.
This Test Vehicle mission with this Crew Module is a significant milestone for the overall Gaganyaan programme as a near-complete system is integrated for a flight test.
The success of this test flight will set the stage for the remaining qualification tests and unmanned missions, leading to the first Gaganyaan mission with Indian astronauts, ISRO said.
Somnath called for industry leaders in the space sector, akin to Elon Musk, to invest in India…reports Asian Lite News
Exhorting greater private sector participation in the Indian space sector, ISRO chief S. Somnath on Wednesday said that’ just like Elon Musk in US more industry people should come and invest in it here’.
Addressing AIMA’s annual convention in the national capital, Somnath said, “We want to see more industry people in the space sector. Just like Elon Musk is there in the US, we need somebody like him to invest here. Though it’s not an easy sector and is an unforgiving domain. It requires personal passion… Failures will be there. So my advice will be to start in the applications segment, like ground equipment manufacturing.”
“Our aim is to see greater manufacturing of space equipment in India. Though several equipment are made in the country, it is the electronics domain where challenges remain, like in sourcing components for building rockets like ceramics and integrated chips. For this we need more industry support,” he noted further.
War provides thrust to India’s space sector, opens up new opportunities
Somnath informed that unlike earlier times, when space research was mainly dependent on government support, now the private sector is gradually increasing its footprint in the space sector.
“Now private companies can build and launch satellites on their own, even outside ISRO. It’s a great opportunity,” he said.
The ISRO chief further informed that through public private partnership and other modes of collaboration with the private sector, their participation is being facilitated in the space sector.
Cost effectiveness in rocket designing is being worked out so that private entities can come and design rockets, Somnath informed.
“Currently there are 53 satellites, but at least 500 are needed if we want to be globally competitive in the space sector. Before the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s launch, NASA scientists reviewed our components and were surprised by their cost effectiveness. They showed keenness in purchasing from us. Sourcing components is a major challenge for India. Work is going on to ease restrictions and make American components available to Indian companies,” he said.
AWS expands access to free computing skills training
Amazon’s Cloud subsidiary collaborates to accelerate space sector innovation….reports Asian Lite News
Amazon Web Services (AWS) India on Wednesday said it has signed a strategic MoU with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to support space-tech innovations through cloud computing.
The collaboration, said the Amazon’s Cloud subsidiary, will give space startups, research institutes and students access to cutting edge cloud technologies that accelerate the development of new solutions in the space sector.
“We are at a pivotal time in India’s space journey as the Indian government focuses on broadening and strengthening the country’s capabilities in the aerospace and satellite industry,” said,” Shalini Kapoor, Director and Chief Technologist, Public Sector, AWS India and South Asia.
“We look forward to helping customers in India build space-tech solutions to make life on Earth better,” Kapoor added.
AWS’s educational programmes on cloud computing in combination with ISRO’s space-tech expertise will inspire future generations to pursue a career in India’s growing space sector.
“Advancing innovation in the space sector is a top priority for our nation as geospatial solutions have the power to deliver high quality services for the good governance for citizens and add value to the stakeholders,” said Sudheer Kumar N, Director, Capacity Building and Public Outreach, ISRO.
ISRO, IN-SPACe and AWS will work collaboratively to nurture and grow the startup community in the space-tech sector.
AWS will provide eligible space startups tools, resources, and expert technical support at no cost through the AWS Activate programme.
Startups will also benefit from access to AWS and its global experience of building aerospace and satellite solutions through the AWS Space Accelerator programme, said the company.
“After the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing and Aditya L-1 mission, it is time we leverage the limitless potential of space technology and cloud computing to propel India’s space sector to new heights. IN-SPACe has continuously been striving to empower and facilitate the private space sector,” said Dr Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe.
Cloud computing enables the speedy management of large volumes of raw space data, besides running AI, ML and analytics workloads to achieve meaningful outcomes in a highly cost-effective manner.
This will be one of the longest missions for the rocket as well as for Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), reports Venkatachari Jagannathan
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C57 (PSLV-C57) lifted off with the country’s Aditya-L1 spacecraft to study the Sun, on Saturday morning.
The PSLV-XL variant rocket carries the 1,480.7 kg Aditya-L1 spacecraft as its sole passenger that will study the solar activities.
The 44.4 metre tall PSLV-C57 rocket with a lift off mass of 321 ton carrying Aditya-L1 — named after the Sun God in Hindu mythology — blasted off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) here at 11.50 a.m.
Slowly rising up towards the skies with a thick orange flame at its tail, the rocket gained speed with a sound resembling rolling thunder and went up and up leaving a thick plume while the people assembled at the viewing gallery clapped their hands with pride.
Interestingly, this will be one of the longest missions for the rocket as well as for Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
About 63 minutes after the lift off, the rocket will eject Aditya-L1 and the whole mission comes to an end at about 73 minutes with the passivation of the fourth stage.
“We have to meet the argument of perigee of the satellite. For that we are following two burn strategies for the fourth stage. After first burn there is a long coasting to achieve the argument of perigee that occurs naturally,” Dr S. Unnikrishnan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) told IANS about the long flight duration.
The flight plan includes switching off the rocket’s fourth stage twice, allowing it to coast for about 30 minutes – 26 minutes after the first cut off and about 3 minutes after the second cut off.
Initially, Aditya-L1 will be ejected in a low earth orbit (LEO). Then the orbit will be elliptical. As the spacecraft travels towards the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point (L1), it will exit the earth’s gravitational Sphere of Influence (SOI).
After exit from SOI, the cruise phase will start and subsequently the spacecraft will be injected into a large halo orbit around the L1 — the point where the gravitational pull of two large bodies – Sun and Earth- will be equal and hence the spacecraft will not gravitate towards any one of the planet.
The total travel time from launch to L1 would take about four months for Aditya-L1 and the distance will be about 1.5 million km from the Earth.
The distance between the Earth and the Moon is about 3,84,000 km.
“A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses. This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real time,” the ISRO said.
The scientific objectives of Aditya-L1 mission includes, study of coronal heating, solar wind acceleration, Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), dynamics of solar atmosphere and temperature anisotropy.
In its normal configuration PSLV is a four stage/engine expendable rocket powered by solid and liquid fuels alternatively with six booster motors strapped on to the first stage to give higher thrust during the initial flight moments.
The rocket that flew on Saturday was the XL variant – with longer strap-on motors.
Interestingly, the XL variant rocket was used for the first time for India’s first interplanetary mission – the Chandrayaan-1 or Moon Mission -1. Later the rocket was used for Chandrayaan-2 and Mars Mission/Mars Orbiter Mission.
And Saturday’s PSLV-XL variant is flying for the 25th time for another interplanetary mission.
The Saturday rocketing comes soon after India landing on the Moon on August 23 with its lander safely landing on the lunar soil in a text book style. Later the rover rolled down and started doing experiments.
Be that as it may, the Indian space agency said, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors.
“Using the special vantage point L1, four payloads directly view the Sun and the remaining three payloads carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1, thus providing important scientific studies of the propagatory effect of solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium,” ISRO said.
Aditya-L1’s seven payloads are expected to provide the most crucial information to understand the problem of coronal heating, coronal mass ejection, pre-flare and flare activities and their characteristics, dynamics of space weather, propagation of particle and fields and others, the Indian space agency said.
The ISRO said the major science objectives of Aditya-L1 mission are: Study of solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics, study of chromospheric and coronal heating, physics of the partially ionised plasma, and initiation of the coronal mass ejections, and flares.
It will also observe the in-situ particle and plasma environment providing data for the study of particle dynamics from the Sun.
Other objectives are physics of solar corona and its heating mechanism, the diagnostics of the coronal and coronal loops plasma: Temperature, velocity and density, development, dynamics and origin of Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), to identify the sequence of processes that occur at multiple layers (chromosphere, base and extended corona) which eventually leads to solar eruptive events, magnetic field topology and magnetic field measurements in the solar corona, and the drivers for space weather (origin, composition and dynamics of solar wind).
ISRO said that the Sun estimated to be 4.5 billion years old is a hot glowing ball of hydrogen and helium gases and is the source of energy for the solar system.
“The gravity of the Sun holds all the objects of the solar system together. At the central region of the sun, known as ‘core’, the temperature can reach as high as 15 million degree Celsius,” it said.
At this temperature, a process called nuclear fusion takes place in the core which powers the Sun. The visible surface of the sun known as photosphere is relatively cool and has a temperature of about 5,500 degree Celsius, the ISRO said.
The Sun is the nearest star and therefore can be studied in much more detail as compared to other stars. By studying the Sun, we can learn much more about stars in our Milky Way as well as about stars in various other galaxies, the ISRO said.
The Sun is a very dynamic star that extends much beyond what we see. It shows several eruptive phenomena and releases immense amounts of energy in the solar system. If such explosive solar phenomena is directed towards the earth, it could cause various types of disturbances in the near earth space environment.
Various spacecraft and communication systems are prone to such disturbances and therefore an early warning of such events is important for taking corrective measures beforehand.
In addition to these, if an astronaut is directly exposed to such explosive phenomena, he/she would be in danger. The various thermal and magnetic phenomena on the sun are of extreme nature.
Thus, the Sun also provides a good natural laboratory to understand those phenomena which cannot be directly studied in the lab.
The Indians space agency said all the seven payloads carried by Aditya-L1 are indigenously developed by different laboratories in the country in close coordination with it.
The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) instrument is developed at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru; Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) instrument at Inter University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pune; Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad; Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) at Space Physics Laboratory, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram; Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) and High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) payloads at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru and the Magnetometer at the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems, Bengaluru.
Civil nuclear cooperation through the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu and space exploration via the Gaganyaan programme remain important components of India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,a report by Ateet Sharma
Russia has reaffirmed its readiness to further develop bilateral cooperation with India in the space sector after the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the moon’s south pole, last week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening to once again “warmly congratulate” him on Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing on Lunar surface.
Besides the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi and Russia’s BRICS chairmanship starting January 2024, the two leaders also discussed the consistent implementation of large-scale projects in the energy sector, joint work to expand the international transport and logistics infrastructure and progress of the space research programmes.
“Vladimir Putin once again warmly congratulated Narendra Modi on the successful landing of the Indian space station Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon near its south pole. Readiness was reaffirmed to further develop bilateral cooperation in the space sector,” the Kremlin said in a statement after the telephone conversation between the Russian President and PM Modi.
Civil nuclear cooperation through the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu and space exploration via the Gaganyaan programme remain important components of India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
As Moscow plays a significant role in India’s maiden human space flight mission Gaganyaan which is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024, the last few years have witnessed an increased cooperation between the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This includes the human spaceflight programmes and satellite navigation.
ISRO and Roscosmos have signed an agreement on ‘Cooperation in Space’ which targets building partnerships to exploit the full potential of India and Russia in development of launch vehicles, construction and utilisation of spacecraft for different applications, ground-based space infrastructure, as well as research and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, including planetary exploration.
Russia has contributed extensively to India’s rise as a space power since the USSR became one of the three countries that helped India in setting up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1962.
The launching of the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975 and first Indian cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma’s eight-day flight as a member of a joint Soviet-Indian Soyuz-T11 spacecraft crew in 1984 took the partnership to new heights.
In February 2020, the long India-Russia association in space grew further as four Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilots began their training at Moscow’s Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) for a spaceflight under the contract between Glavkosmos, JSC (part of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos) and ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre.
Last December, Atomic Energy and Space minister Jitendra Singh told Parliament that the astronaut designates for human space flight mission Gaganyaan have been identified and are currently undergoing their mission specific training in Bengaluru.
Singh had also informed Rajya Sabha that India is considering proposals for collaborations and cooperation in space research with more countries “through joint experiments and creating platforms for inflow of expertise”.
The specific areas in which collaboration and cooperation could be possible in future include building of satellites, development of science instruments for earth observation, space science and planetary exploration; new propulsion technologies; sharing of satellite data; human spaceflight support, space situational awareness and training and capacity building in space technology applications.
