The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched India’s first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite on Monday, or XPoSat, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The satellite is designed to provide information about celestial objects such as black holes. It was carried into space by a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket.

According to the ISRO, the PSLV-C58 rocket successfully launched payload XPoSat into Low Earth Orbit on its 60th flight.

On January 1, the PSLV-C58 rocket took off at 9.10 a.m. from this spaceport’s first launch pad, which is situated around 135 kilometres east of Chennai.

It is the first specifically designed ISRO scientific satellite to conduct studies on polarisation measurements of X-ray radiation from astronomical sources from space.

Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) studied supernova explosion remnants, black hole particle streams, and other cosmic occurrences in December 2021 with the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer mission.

Although India has established space-based X-ray astronomy with an emphasis on imaging and time domain investigations, the space agency stated that Monday’s mission represents a significant contribution to the scientific community.

In order to conduct long-term spectral and temporal investigations of cosmic X-ray sources, the PSLV-C58 mission aims to measure the polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30 keV emitted by about 50 possible cosmic sources.

When analysing the radiation process and geometry of astronomical sources, X-ray polarisation is an essential diagnostic tool. POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays), developed by the Raman Research Institute to determine polarimetry parameters, and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), constructed by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru, are the main payloads of XPoSat.

With the launch of its first X-Ray Polarimeter satellite, the ISRO ushered in the new year. Following the success of the Gaganyaan Test Vehicle D1 mission in October, the launch occurred.

India achieved unprecedented achievement in 2023 with the gentle landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole and the launch of Aditya-L1, the country’s first solar mission.

Following the momentous August 23 landing of Vikram Lander on the Moon, the Pragyan rover was sent out to explore the lunar south pole, which had not before been explored.

India’s current objectives include the Gaganyaan Mission, establishing Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035, and sending the country’s first person to the moon by 2040.

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The Indian Space of Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday launched its maiden Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) carrying earth observation and student satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota. The countdown for the launch commenced at 2.26 am on Sunday and lifted off at 9.18 am. The Earth Observation Satellite ( EOS)-02 and AzaadiSAT will be placed in low earth orbit by this mission.

Soon after the launch, data was reported. The ISRO chief S Somnath said that they were analysing the data to conclude the final outcome of the mission with respect to achieving a stable orbit. The space agency would get back with more detail.

AzadiSAT is an 8 kg Cubesat. It has been designed by the girl students across the country to mark the 75^th anniversary of India’s independence. The ISRO said that the AzaadiSAT carried 75 different payloads each weighing around 50 grams. Guidance was invited from the girl students of rural regions across the country to build these payloads which are integrated by the student team of Space Kidz India.

According to the ISRO website, the payloads include a UHF-VHF Transponder working in ham radio frequency to enable voice and data transmission for amateur radio operators, a solid state PIN diode-based Radiation counter to measure the ionising radiation in its orbit, a long-range transponder and a selfie camera. The ground system developed by ‘Space Kidz India’ will be utilised for receiving the data from this satellite.

The EOS-02 offers advanced optical remote sensing operating in infrared bands with high spatial resolution. It will provide input on thermal anomalies towards supporting applications in the domains of geo-environment studies, forestry, hydrology, agriculture, soil and coastal studies.

Unlike Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the SSLV can carry payloads weighing up to 500 kg and deploy satellites into a 500 km low earth orbit. The ISRO wants to grab a bigger share in the demanding SSLV market.  

The space organisation said that the SSLV uses hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (a solid fuel) to fire the first three stages which takes the payloads to the desired altitude. The fourth stage comprises a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) to place the satellite into orbit.

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The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully launched an Indian Earth observation satellite CartoSAT-3 alongside thirteen commercial nano-satellites from the US today morning at 10 am IST.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched its earth imaging and mapping satellite CARTOSAT-3 along with 12 other “SuperDove” satellites and a “MESHBED” communication satellite, which were recruited by ISRO’s newly-appointed commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL).

The 44.5 metre tall PSLV C47 rocket lifted off at 9:28 am from ISRO’s launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. All the 13 nanosatellites were released into the orbit at 26 minutes and 56 seconds after the liftoff, said ISRO in its statement.

CARTOSAT-3 is India’s most complex and advanced high-resolution earth imaging satellite built so far, was placed into orbit 17 minutes and 46 seconds after liftoff.

ISRO Chairman K Sivan described the launch as a “wonderful success”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to twitter to congratulate ISRO for the successful launch of Cartosat-3 satellite.

“I heartily congratulate the entire ISRO team on yet another successful launch of PSLV-C47 carrying indigenous Cartosat-3 satellite and over a dozen nano satellites of USA,” he tweeted.

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Out of 18 such satellites, 13 are working normally

India has lost communication with one of its most advanced satellites: GSAT- 6A within 48 hours of its successful launch from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Despite disappointing news for the country’s citizens and armed forces, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been trying to re-establish link with the satellite.

Following its launch, ISRO had completed the first orbit raising operation of the GSAT-6A Satellite at 9.22 am on Friday, which included the satellite changing its closest and farthest point from earth besides changing its inclination.

According to official sources, the second orbit raising manoeuvre was scheduled for 10.51am on Saturday which was completed successfully. ISRO received data from the satellite for about four minutes after the second orbit raising operation, after which it went blank.

ISRO has not officially confirmed the reason for the lost communication but initial analysis points to a power system failure.

ISRO, in a press release, said the communication link snapped when the satellite was on course to “normal operating configuration for the third and final firing” by the LAM (liquid apogee motor) engine.

The official statement said, “The second orbit raising operation of GSAT-6A satellite has been successfully carried out by LAM Engine firing for about 53 minutes on March 31, 2018 in the morning. After successful long duration firings, when satellite was on course to normal operating configuration for third and final firing, scheduled for April 1, 2018, communication from the satellite was lost. Efforts (were) underway to establish link with satellite.”

The 2140-kg communication satellite GSAT-6A is aimed at helping in mobile communication even from very remote locations through hand-held ground terminals. It was similar to the GSAT-6 put into orbit in 2015.

With a mission life of about 10 years, GSAT-6A is aimed at providing a thrust to mobile communication through multi-beam coverage facility. It is expected to be a shot in the arm for the armed forces.

After the successful launch of the satellite on Thursday, ISRO chairman K Sivan had reportedly said, “In next nine months, we are going to have 10 missions. We will have the launch of high-bandwidth satellites for communication purposes.”

This was the first mission for Sivan, who assumed charge of the space agency in January.

India’s mission to launch its backup navigation satellite IRNSS-1H on board PSLV-C39 ended in a failure after a technical fault on the final leg following a perfect launch in August last year.

The GSAT are India’s indigenously developed communications satellites, used for digital audio, data and video broadcasting. As of 30 March 2018, 18 GSAT satellites have been launched out of which 13 are currently in service.

ISRO has been developing series of GSAT series of geosynchronous satellites with an objective to make India self-reliant in broadcasting services.

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday launched its 42nd Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. The PSLV-C40 successfully placed 31 satellites, originating from seven countries, in two different orbits in this single mission.

The mission was watched keenly following the failure of ISRO’s August launch when the heat shield of PSLV-C39 did not separate, as a result of which the satellites got trapped inside the heat shield and failed to deploy. It was only the second total failure of the PSLV in nearly 24 years: the PSLV-D1, in its maiden flight, had failed on September 20, 1993.

The C40 was launched from the First Launch Pad of the ISRO’s SDSC Srikarikota High Altitude Range at 9.29 a.m. Its primary payload was the fourth satellite in the advanced remote sensing Cartosat-2 series.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The Cartosat-2, whose imagery will be used to develop various land and geographical information system applications, weighs 710 kg and was to be placed in a circular polar sun synchronous orbit 505 km from Earth. The satellite’s design life is five years. The 30 co-passenger satellites together weigh 613 kg and the total weight of all the 31 satellites carried onboard was about 1,323 kg.

Of greater interest were the two other Indian satellites in the C40’s payload. Seen as technology demonstrators, they signify progress towards miniaturisation. The microsatellite is of the 100 kg class. “This is a technology demonstrator and the forerunner for future satellites of this series,” said ISRO.

The nanosatellite, named Indian Nano Satellite – 1C, is the third in its series; its predecessors were part of the PSLV-C37 launch of February 2017. The INS-1C, whose mission life is six months, carries the Miniature Multispectral Technology Demonstration payload from the Space Applications Centre. “With a capability to carry up to 3 kg of payload and a total satellite mass of 11 kg, it offers immense opportunities for future use,” said ISRO.

The other 28 satellites came from six countries and were launched as part of deals made by ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix Corporation Limited. Three of them were microsatellites while 25 were nanosatellites. There were 19 satellites from the United States and five from South Korea; UK, France, Canada and Finland had a satellite each within PSLV-C40.

The mission also marked the successful demonstration of the multi-burn technology, which ISRO takes lot of pride-in, as representatives from six foreign countries – Canada, Finland, France, Republic of Korea, UK and USA – looked on from the VIP box. While 30 of 31 satellites carried by PSLV were first launched into a 505 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), the Microsat built by ISRO was placed in a 359 km polar SSO after bringing down the orbital height by reigniting the fourth stage of PSLV twice. This complex technology offers distinctive advantage to India in attracting foreign clientele.

The launch also signified the national space agency’s foray into dynamic micro and nano satellite manufacturing market, reported The New Indian Express (TNIE). Quoting Tapan Misra, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC), it said, “Having a large number of small satellites, instead of a few heavy ones, makes sense as they could cover the same piece of ground more frequently – say, every 15 minutes – for collecting imagery. This could spell a revolution in the way satellites are used – whether it is for helping fishermen to identify catches, keeping track of crops or detecting natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Similarly, increasing miniaturisation in electronics makes redundant the use of heavy satellites for telecommunications and remote sensing. Smaller satellites deliver better coverage at a fraction of the cost.”

He said ISRO was looking at a major shift. “Our aim is to build heavier launchers and lighter payloads, which give us distinctive advantage in carrying capacity.” The launch is one of the initial steps towards achieving this goal.”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1515743965381{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #cccccc !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]Ten big achievements of ISRO (compiled by HT):

Launching 104 satellites in a single mission, 2017: On February 15, 2017, ISRO garnered international attention when it launched 104 satellites using the PSLV and successfully managed to put these satellites into their desired orbit in one go. 101 were foreign satellites out of the 104 launched. It also included the Cartostat-2 series, India’s earth observation satellite.

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, 2016: The seven-satellite system created India’s very own satellite navigation system that could potentially offer services like terrestrial and marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking and fleet management, navigation aide for hikers and travellers, visual and voice navigation for drivers. The launch of the 7th navigation satellite brought India much closer to the ‘GPS club’. Experts said an Indian-owned system will be particularly useful in times of war to gain positional accuracy.

Launching 20 satellites, 2016: Before it made the 104 satellite record, in June, ISRO launched 20 satellites in one mission, a personal best for the space agency. Apart from Isro’s own satellites and those built by university students in the country, the mission carried satellites from the US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia.

Reusable Launch Vehicle, 2016: In May, Isro successfully tested the Reusable Launch Vehicle — Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) that was built on a budget of Rs 95 crore. The winged flight vehicle — dubbed as India’s space shuttle — that glided back onto a virtual runway in the Bay of Bengal in a 10-minute mission was the first stage of a fully re-usable vehicle. A reusable launch vehicle can bring down launch costs by up to ten times.

Mangalyaan, 2014: India joined an exclusive global club when it successfully launched the Mars Orbiter Mission on a shoestring budget that was at least 10 times lower than a similar project by the US. Only the United States, Russia and Europe have previously sent missions to Mars, but what made India’s achievement stand out was that it succeeded on its first attempt, which even the Americans and the Soviets could not.

Chandrayaan, 2008: India’s first unmanned lunar probe was launched almost a decade ago and was a landmark in India’s space mission. ISRO joined an elite list of just six space organisations to send an orbiter to the moon. A Tricolour was hoisted on the moon but Isro lost contact with Chandrayaan soon after.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, 1993: It was developed in the 1990s and has become the Indian space mission’s most reliable workhorse. The PSLV carried out its first mission in 1993 but its first successful outing was the next year. For the next 20 years, it launched various satellites for historic missions such as the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. PSLV remains a favourite among various organisations as a launch service provider and has launched over 40 satellites for 19 countries.

Indian National Satellite System (INSAT), 1983: Launched by ISRO, INSAT is a series of multi-purpose geostationary satellites. It helped with telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. The satellites built a communication system all across Asia Pacific region. There are nine working satellites in the group.

Aryabhatta, 1975: The Aryabhata spacecraft that was named after the famous Indian astronomer was the country’s first satellite. It marked a milestone in India’s space programme because it was completely designed in the country and launched from a Russian facility in 1975. Known better by its popular name Insat, the system is a network of satellites that facilitates communications and broadcasting across the south Asian region. The first satellite in the series was placed into orbit in 1983 and ushered in a revolution in India’s television and radio broadcasting, telecommunications and meteorological sectors. Nine satellites are operational.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Image highlights from around the world

PERFECT FLOW: People take part in a “Sup Yo, Boston” stand-up paddle board yoga class on Fort Point Channel on International Yoga Day in Boston, Massachusetts, US, Reuters/UNI

BLAST OFF: PSLV-C38 carrying Cartosat-2 Series Satellite scheduled to be launched tomorrow at the first launchpad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota, UNI

NOTES FROM THE SOUL: A Bolivian troupe performs on the pan flute at the closing ceremony of World People Conference in Tiquipaya, Cochabamba, Bolivia, Reuters/UNI

REVEALER OF DESTINIES: Bihar School Examination Board chairman Anand Kishor releases Class X results in Patna, UNI

LOVE BEYOND BORDERS: Protesters rally outside the federal court just before a hearing to consider a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Iraqi nationals facing deportation, in Detroit, Michigan, US, Reuters/UNI

TREE OF LIFE: Founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Professor Klaus Schwab, calls on the prime minister, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, UNI

MORE LOYAL THAN THE KING? Members of Saudi Arabia’s royal family and dignitaries attend an allegiance pledging ceremony for Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Reuters/UNI

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE: Revellers gather at Worthy Farm in Somerset for the Glastonbury Festival in Britain, Reuters/UNI

MESSAGE OF HUMANITY: Britain’s Prince Charles visits the tributes left at the scene of the Finsbury Mosque attack alongside Imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who protected the attacker after the incident, Reuters/UNI

CROWD CONTROL: Security forces resort to lathicharge on the public outside a polling station during the Karbi Autonomous Council election, in Diphu, UNI

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Indian agency sends into orbit highest number of satellites ever launched in a single mission

Till date, the highest number of satellites launched in a single mission so far was 37, a record that Russia set in 2014. The US space agency, NASA, had launched 29. On February 15, the Indian space agency, ISRO, created history with its incomparable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle setting into orbit 104 satellites at one go.

In its 39th flight from the space centre at Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota, it launched the 714 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for earth observation at the end of a 28-hour countdown. The rocket also carried 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighing about 664 kg at lift-off.

“This day shall go down as a landmark in the history of our space programme,” president Pranab Mukherjee tweeted. “Congratulations to @isro for the successful launch of PSLV-C37 and CARTOSAT satellite together with 103 nano satellites!” prime minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

Within 20 minutes of the launch, the satellites settled into orbit. Of the 103 co-passenger satellites or nano-satellites, only two are Indian—ISRO’s INS-1A and INS-1B. 

The 101 international nano-satellites were launched as part of commercial arrangements between Antrix Corporation Limited, ISRO’s commercial arm, and the international customers. There was one satellite each from Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates and 96 from the USA.

“We are not looking at it as a record or anything like that; we are just trying to maximise our capability with each launch, in trying to utilise that launch for the ability it has got and getting the maximum return,” ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar said.

The Cartosat-2 series satellite, with a mission life of five years, will send images that would facilitate coastal land use and regulation, road network monitoring, distribution of water, creation of land use maps, etc.

Way to go, ISRO!

Compiled by Sucheta Dasgupta

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