Tag: ROCKET

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Rocket Attack Sets Fuel Depot Ablaze in Luhansk

According to Ukrainian media, a Russian military base was also hit in the missile attack…reports Asian Lite News

 Rocket attacks on a town in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine have caused a fuel depot to catch fire, according to the occupation authorities.

“As a result of a missile strike with cluster munitions on Sverdlovsk, a fuel and lubricants storage facility was damaged,” wrote Leonid Pasechnik, the head of pro-Russian separatists forces in the Luhansk region, on Monday on his Telegram channel.

Ukraine renamed the small town of Sverdlovsk, which has been occupied by Russian forces since 2014, and Dovzhansk in 2016.

According to Ukrainian media, a Russian military base was also hit in the missile attack.

Videos on social networks show heavy clouds of smoke, but also a burning multi-storey barracks-style building.

The Russian authorities on the ground have not officially released any information on casualties or injuries.

Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian military invasion for more than two years.

Kiev has recently fired missiles at oil processing plants and fuel depots in addition to purely military targets to hamper the Russian military’s logistics.

ALSO READ-Missile Strike Ignites Fuel Depot in Occupied Luhansk

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-Top News India News

ISRO’s LVM3 rocket to launch OneWeb’s 36 satellites

The Indian rocket is expected to fly off with the OneWeb satellites this month end…reports Asian Lite News

An Indian rocket LVM3 is scheduled to launch the 36 low earth orbit satellites of the UK-based Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) on March 26 morning, the company said.

The OneWeb is backed by India’s telecom major Bharti Group and with the successful launch of the satellites on March 26, the company will complete the global footprint of its Gen 1 constellation.

OneWeb has 582 satellites now in orbit. On March 26 the total number is expected to go up to 618.

By completing the constellation, OneWeb is taking a pivotal step forward in delivering global coverage including India, the company said.

According to OneWeb the second batch of 36 satellites will be launched by Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) rocket LVM3 at 9 a.m. Indian time on March 26.

The upcoming launch will be the 18 one for OneWeb.

The first batch of 36 satellites was launched on October 23, 2022 from Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh with the LVM3 rocket formerly known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLV MkIII).

ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) has signed a contract with OneWeb to launch 72 satellites in two phases for a launch fee of over Rs 1,000 crore, OneWeb Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal had said last October.

The second batch of 36 satellites belonging to the UK-based Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) has been fitted inside the Indian rocket LVM3’s heatshield.

In a tweet, OneWeb said: “Exciting news from India as we confirm the encapsulation of our 36 satellites ahead of #OneWebLaunch18; our final launch which will complete our Gen 1 constellation. Thanks to our OneWebbers on site, as well as our colleagues at @isro Aand NSIL_India.”

The Indian rocket is expected to fly off with the OneWeb satellites this month end.

The first batch of 36 satellites was launched on October 23, 2022 from Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh with LVM3 rocket formerly known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLV MkIII).

ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) has signed a contract with OneWeb to launch 72 satellites in two phases for a launch fee of over Rs 1,000 crore, OneWeb Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal had said last October.

A couple of days back, OneWeb had launched 40 satellites through SpaceX’s rocket.

OneWeb has 582 satellites now in orbit. Once Indian rocket LVM3 puts into orbit 36 satellites then the total number of OneWeb’s low earth orbit satellites will go up to 618.

The company backed by India’s telecom major Bharti Group will complete global footprint of its Gen 1 constellation with a launch set to take place later this month with ISRO/NSIL.

ALSO READ-Chandrayaan-3 passes ISRO’s vibration tests

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Gaganyaan’s first abort mission with test rocket in May 2023

Gaganyaan's first abort mission with test rocket in May 2023

According to him, the total expenditure incurred for Gaganyaan programme as on 30th October 2022 is Rs 3,040 crore…reports Asian Lite News

The first of the four abort missions using test vehicles or test rockets for India’s human space mission – Gaganyaan- is planned in May 2023, the Parliament was told on Wednesday.

“The first test vehicle mission, TV-D1, is planned in May 2023, followed by the second test vehicle TV-D2 mission and first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (LVM3-G1) in the first quarter of 2024,” Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question about the status of the human space mission.

“The second series of test vehicle missions (TV-D3& D4) and LVM3-G2 mission with robotic payload is planned next. The crewed mission is planned by end of 2024 based on the outcome of the successful test vehicle and uncrewed missions,” he said.

According to him, the total expenditure incurred for Gaganyaan programme as on 30th October 2022 is Rs 3,040 crore.

On the current status of the Gaganyaan project, Singh said: “All the design activities are completed, proto models testing commenced for all systems. Manufacturing of all the systems have been initiated and in progress.”

He said the Human rated Launch vehicle systems (HLVM3) are tested and qualified. All propulsion systems tests for higher margins completed. The Test Vehicle TV-D1 mission for demonstration of crew escape system designed, and stage for first flight realised. The Crew Module structure for TV-D1 mission is delivered. Static tests of all Crew Escape System motors have been completed. Batch testing is in progress.

He also said the first semester of Astronauts training has been completed. Crew evaluation and assessment activities have also been completed.

“Orbital module for uncrewed G1 (Gaganyaan 1) mission realisation in progress. For qualification of Parachutes and pyros through Ground and Air drop tests underway.A Recovery trials of crew module from sea commenced at Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF), Indian Navy, Kochi,” Singh said.

Agreeing that the target for launching first crewed mission of Gaganyaan was 2022 Singh said the delay was due to Covid-19 lockdowns, disruptions in raw material supply chain from foreign sources, and delays in hardware realisation from industries and hence the schedule is modified.

“Moreover, Gaganyaan Advisory Council has recommended testing of Crew Escape System and deceleration systems through four abort missions using Test Vehicle (TV) and Integrated Air Drop Tests before proceeding with crewed missions. This is in addition to the two uncrewed missions planned earlier,” Singh said.

ALSO READ-‘Gaganyaan showcasing India’s ambitious space expedition

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OneWeb’s satellites fitted inside Indian rocket’s heat shield

OneWeb satellites.(photo:oneweb.net)

A couple of days back, OneWeb had launched 40 satellites through SpaceX’s rocket…reports Asian Lite News

The second batch of 36 satellites belonging to the UK-based Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) has been fitted inside the Indian rocket LVM3’s heatshield.

In a tweet, OneWeb said: “Exciting news from India as we confirm the encapsulation of our 36 satellites ahead of #OneWebLaunch18; our final launch which will complete our Gen 1 constellation. Thanks to our OneWebbers on site, as well as our colleagues at @isro Aand NSIL_India.”

The Indian rocket is expected to fly off with the OneWeb satellites this month end.

The first batch of 36 satellites was launched on October 23, 2022 from Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh with LVM3 rocket formerly known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLV MkIII).

ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) has signed a contract with OneWeb to launch 72 satellites in two phases for a launch fee of over Rs 1,000 crore, OneWeb Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal had said last October.

A couple of days back, OneWeb had launched 40 satellites through SpaceX’s rocket.

OneWeb has 582 satellites now in orbit. Once Indian rocket LVM3 puts into orbit 36 satellites then the total number of OneWeb’s low earth orbit satellites will go up to 618.

The company backed by India’s telecom major Bharti Group will complete global footprint of its Gen 1 constellation with a launch set to take place later this month with ISRO/NSIL.

ALSO READ-Thales, Bharat Dynamics ink deal for laser-guided rockets

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-Top News India News Science

Pvt players allowed to build, operate rocket launch sites

The launch could be from own or leased launch site and also from mobile platforms (land, sea or air) as per the Draft National Space Transportation Policy-2020 brought out by the Department of Space, reports Venkatachari Jagannathan

India has decided to allow private companies to establish and operate rocket launch sites within and outside the country, subject to prior authorisation from the government.

Similarly, any rocket launch (orbital or sub-orbital) from Indian or overseas territory can be carried out only with authorisation from Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), an independent body constituted by the Government of India, under the Department of Space (DOS).

The launch could be from own or leased launch site and also from mobile platforms (land, sea or air) as per the Draft National Space Transportation Policy-2020 brought out by the Department of Space.

“The Draft National Space Transportation Policy-2020 is comprehensive covering all aspects of rocket launching, launchpads, reentry of a space object and others, Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO Agnikul Cosmos told IANS.

The city based Agnikul Cosmos is developing a small rocket to launch small satellites into orbit.

“Policy is well made overall. Good, it allows for launches abroad and building our own launch sites,” Skyroot Aerospace’s Co-Founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana told IANS.

Skyroot Aerospace is another small rocket maker.

As per the draft policy, IN-SPACe authorisation requires the financial guarantee or insurance cover by the proposer as part of its ownership towards fulfilment of nation’s liability as per international agreements.

In the case of launching from outside the territory of India, all approvals necessary for undertaking the scope of activities in another nation or territory shall be under the applicable laws of the concerned nation/territory.

The compliance and approvals of the administration controlling the territory from where the Launch is performed shall be ensured by the proposer and the proof of compliance/approvals shall be enclosed with the application for authorisation.

The IN-SPACe shall authorise the launch by the Indian Entity after verifying the clearances accorded by the Ministry of External Affairs or any other Ministry, if applicable and also the approvals obtained by the Entity from the administration/agencies controlling the territory from where the launch is planned.

The draft policy categorically states that IN-SPACe or the Union of India shall not have any liability related to launches performed outside of the territory of India.

According to the draft policy, the authorisation process shall ensure that the sharing of Government owned launch facilities shall not pose any constraint to the timely implementation of approved space programmes for societal development or safeguarding national sovereignty.

“The authorisation process shall ensure that there is no violation of noncommercial & space cooperation-linked launch agreements entered into with other countries,” the draft notes.

According to the Department of Space, it is essential to ensure that the independent launch activities undertaken by Indian entities are in accordance with relevant treaties and other international agreements due to the impact of such activities on public safety, domestic and global transport and in-orbit satellites.

Therefore, an authorisation mechanism needs to be in place to ensure compliance to the relevant regulations and safety requirements.

“The draft policy is comprehensive. Covers all aspects of space transportation such as launching, launchpads, re-entry and more. It makes it clear that this is a single window system. The IN-SPACe, is the nodal agency responsible for overall approval,” Agnikul Cosmos’ Ravichandran said.

According to him, the draft policy goes into specifics on what is required under each category for approval. This is very helpful as work can get started on how to meet these.

“However, it would be great if the government enables the sector with clear guidelines on liability and insurance as these are very important aspects yet very unclear. Also, timebound approvals are to be implemented for the benefit of the stakeholders,” Skyroot Aerospace Chandana added.

The draft policy states, globally, the participation of private agencies in providing launch services has increased and some of these agencies have become significant players in the commercial market for launch services.

India is also witnessing the emergence of a “New Space” wherein the private players in the space sector aim to tap the commercial potential of small satellite launch services by developing small satellite launchers for the global market.

The Indian players, who are engaged in the launch vehicle development, are also eager to leverage the national facilities already established by the Government.

The recent reforms announced by the Government towards unlocking the potential of the space sector in the country are expected to attract entrepreneurs to invest in cost-effective & quick turn-around space transportation systems commensurate with the significant global commercial launch services market, the Department of Space said.

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