[🇮🇳] India's Space Program

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ISRO successfully demonstrates Vikas engine restart; flags off LVM3 for commercial operations​

1d • 2 min read

For representational purposes
BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday announced that the team of research scientists had successfully completed the demonstration of the restart of the Vikas Liquid Engines on January 17.

The tests were done at the ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.


Vikas engine is the workhorse engine that powers the liquid stages of all the launch vehicles. The test marks a milestone in the development of technologies for recovery of stages, leading to reusability in future launch vehicles, a press release from ISRO read.

The scientists explained that a series of tests are carried out to validate the restarting of the engine under different conditions. During the test, the engine is on for 60 seconds and then it is shut-off for a period of 120 seconds, after this it is restarted and fired for a seven seconds duration.

“All engine parameters during the test were found to be normal and as expected. Earlier, a short duration restart test was successfully done in December 2024 with a shut-off time of 42 seconds and firing duration of seven seconds. More tests are planned in the coming days to optimise the performance of the engine under restart conditions,” ISRO added.


ISRO flags off LVM for commercial operations

ISRO on Saturday informed that the its Chairman V Narayanan flagged off the launch off the core liquid stage (L110) Launch Vehicle Marck-3 (LVM3) at Sriharikota on January 17. This is the 10th L110 liquid stage integrated at ISRO’s Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

It is earmarked for the LVM3 mission under a commercial agreement between NSIL and AST and Science, LLC to launch their BlueBird Block-2 satellite. The L110 was designed and developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre during the development of the LVM3 launch vehicle and is powered by twin Vikas engines with a propellant loading of 110 tones.

 

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Isro ships crew module for first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission​

Story by India Today Science Desk
• 18h • 1 min read

Isro ships crew module for first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission
In a milestone, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has dispatched the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (G1). The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) completed the integration of the liquid propulsion system on Tuesday (January 21).

The Crew Module Propulsion System (CMPS) is a bi-propellant based Reaction Control System (RCS) and is meant for precise three-axis control (Pitch, Yaw and Roll) of crew module.

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The control will come into play following separation of service module during the descent and re-entry phase until the deployment of parachute-based deceleration system.

This system employs 12 thrusters, each with a 100N capacity, along with a pressurisation system with high pressure gas bottles and the propellant feed system along with the associated fluid control components.

Furthermore, the Crew Module Uprighting System (CMUS) designed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) was also integrated to the module at LPSC.

Subsequently, the Crew Module will undergo further integration operations including avionics package assembly, electrical harnessing and checks at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) before dispatching to Bengaluru's U R Rao Satellite Centre for the final phase of integration of the Orbital Module.

Gaganyaan is poised not only to showcase India's growing expertise in space exploration but also to inspire a new era of scientific innovation.




Related video: Indian Cabinet approves a third launchpad at ISRO's Sriharikotav (WION)
at its Rose Space boat, the Satish Dhawan Space Center

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Isro rolls out GSLV-F15 on launch pad with NVS-02: All you need to know​

Story by India Today Science Desk
• 2h • 2 min read

The Indian Space Research Organisation has rolled out the s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) on the launchpad with the NVS-02 Satellite, part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).

The GSLV-F15 mission will launch on January 29, 2025 from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR and place the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

This will be the eighth operational flight of the GSLV with an indigenous Cryogenic stage and the 100th Launch from India's Spaceport Sriharikota.

GSLV-F15 on the launch pad. (Photo: Isro)

WHAT IS NVS-02? ​

NVS-02 is the second satellite in India's new generation of navigation satellites, part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system.

NavIC is India's regional satellite navigation system, designed to provide accurate positioning, velocity, and timing information for users in India and nearby regions, up to 1,500 km beyond India.


NVS-02 will help improve NavIC's services, which are used for navigation, precision agriculture, emergency services, fleet management, and even mobile device location services. It carries an advanced navigation payload operating in three frequency bands (L1, L5, and S) to ensure high accuracy. It also has a precise atomic clock called the Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) for accurate timekeeping.

The satellite will replace an older NavIC satellite, IRNSS-1E, and be positioned at 111.75°E in orbit.

Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is India's independent regional navigation satellite system. (Photo: Isro)
Weighing 2,250 kg, NVS-02 has a power capacity of around 3 kW and uses both indigenous and imported atomic clocks for better accuracy. By incorporating new L1 band signals, NVS-02 improves NavIC's compatibility with global navigation systems, ensuring wider adoption and better service.

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The NVS-02 satellite has been meticulously designed, developed, and integrated at the U R Satellite Centre (URSC).

After completing the Assembly and Integrated Testing (AIT), the satellite underwent a rigorous thermal vacuum (thermovac) test during November-December 2024. This test was conducted to verify and validate its design and performance in a simulated space environment, ensuring it could operate effectively under the harsh conditions of space.

In December 2024, the satellite was subjected to a dynamic test to confirm its ability to withstand the mechanical loads anticipated during launch. This critical test validated the structural integrity of the satellite and its readiness for deployment into orbit.


One noteworthy point here is that Indian GSLV Mk2 rocket is considered to be 2000 k.g geo payload capable but same is being used to put 2250 KG in geo unlike China which inflates the payload carrying by comparing Geo payload of other rockets with Leo payload of Chinese rockets. India is all set to double the payload of all her vehicles.

 

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GSLV-F15 Rocket Integration Complete, Ready For Launch On Jan 29, ISRO Says​

Story by PTI
• 12h • 2 min read

Bengaluru, Jan 26 (PTI) ISRO on Sunday said integration of its rocket GSLV-F15 with satellite NVS-02 is complete.

The GSLV-F15 rocket with Indigenous cryogenic stage is ready to be launched on January 29, with the satellite NVS-02 on board, the space agency said. This will be the 100th mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, "GSLV-F15 integration complete! Take a sneak peek at the incredible teamwork behind this mission: Countdown: Less than 3 days to launch! Join us as we unlock new frontiers," the agency said in a post on social media 'X'.

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GSLV-F15 will place the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and the launch will take place from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, said ISRO.

NVS-01, the first of the second-generation satellites, was launched on board GSLV-F12 on May 29, 2023.

NVS-02, the second satellite in the NVS series, is configured with navigation payload in L1, L5 and S bands in addition to ranging payload in C-band like its predecessor-NVS-01, ISRO said.

According to ISRO, Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is India's independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity and Timing (PVT) service to users in India as well as the region extending about 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass, which is its primary service area.

NVS-01/02/03/04/05 are envisaged to augment the NavIC base layer constellation with enhanced features for ensuring continuity of services, added ISRO.


Related video: ISRO's SpaDeX Mission: India Docks Satellites In Space, Enters Elite Club Of Nations (WION)

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The space agency said NVS-02 uses a combination of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for precise time estimation.

NVS-02 satellite was designed, developed and integrated at the U R Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other satellite-based work centres, it added.

GSLV-F15 is the 17th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the 11th flight with the Indigenous Cryo stage, said ISRO . It is also the eighth operational flight of GSLV with an indigenous Cryogenic stage, it added.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

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Countdown for ISRO's 100th mission begins at Sriharikota​

Story by PTI
• now • 2 min read

Countdown for ISRO's 100th mission begins at Sriharikota© PTI
Sriharikota, (Andhra Pradesh) Jan 28 (PTI) The 27-hour countdown for ISRO's historic 100th mission from this spaceport, launch of a Navigation satellite onboard a GSLV rocket commenced on Tuesday, sources in the space agency said. Also, this would be the first mission for ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, who assumed office on January 13.

Countdown for ISRO's 100th mission begins at Sriharikota© PTI
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with indigenous Cryogenic upper stage in its 17th flight, carrying the navigation satellite NVS-02 is scheduled for lift-off at 6.23 am on January 29 from the second launch pad here.

The navigation satellite is the second in the series of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) aimed to provide accurate position, velocity and timing to users in the Indian sub-continent as well as to regions about 1,500 km beyond the Indian land mass.



"The 27.30 hour countdown commenced at 02.53 am on Tuesday," multiple sources told PTI.

The 50.9 metre tall GSLV-F15 follows the GSLV-F12 mission which successfully carried navigation satellite NVS-01, the first of the second generation satellites on May 29, 2023.

NavIC comprises five second generation satellites--NVS-01/02/03/04/05 envisaged to augment NavIC base layer constellation with enhanced features for ensuring continuity of services.

The NVS-02 satellite designed and developed by the U R Satellite Centre weighs about 2,250 kg. It has navigation payload in L1, L5 and S bands in addition to ranging payload in C-band like its predecessor NVS-01.

The key applications the satellite would be used for are terrestrial, aerial and maritime navigation, precision agriculture, fleet management, location based services in mobile devices, orbit determination for satellites, Internet-of-Things (IoT) based applications, emergency and timing services, ISRO said. PTI VIJ SA


Related video: ISRO's SpaDeX Mission: India Docks Satellites In Space, Enters Elite Club Of Nations (WION)

 

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Live launching from ISRO..

 

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NVS02 successfully injected into precise orbit.

 

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Today, it was 100th launch. Total 6 different generation of launch vehicles were made. 548 satellites launch till date weighing 120 tons.

433 foreign satellites launched with 100% success rate weighing over 23 tons.

 

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India To Launch Chandrayaan-4 In 2027 To Bring Moon Samples Back To Earth, Announces Jitendra Singh​

Story by PTI
• 20h • 2 min read

India To Launch Chandrayaan-4 In 2027 To Bring Moon Samples Back To Earth, Announces Jitendra Singh
India will launch the Chandrayaan-4 mission to bring back samples of moon rocks to the Earth in 2027, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said. Chandrayaan-4 will involve at least two separate launches of the heavylift LVM-3 rocket that will carry five different components of the mission which will be assembled in orbit.


"The Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to collect samples from the moon's surface and bring them back to the Earth," Mr Singh told PTI Videos in an interview.

The minister said the Gaganyaan mission, which involves sending Indian astronauts in a specially designed spacecraft to low-earth orbit and bringing them back safely, will be launched next year.

In 2026, India will also launch Samudrayaan, which will take three scientists in a submersible up to a depth of 6,000 metres in the deep ocean, to explore the seabed.

"This achievement will align with the timelines of India's other landmark missions, including the Gaganyaan space mission, marking a pleasant coincidence in the nation's journey toward scientific excellence," Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Samudrayaan mission in his Independence Day speech.

The minister underscored the potential of the Samudrayaan to unlock vast resources, including critical minerals, rare metals, and undiscovered marine biodiversity, all of which are crucial for the country's economic growth and environmental sustainability.



The first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan project carrying a robot, 'Vyommitra', will also take place this year.

Mr Singh said that while the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established in 1969, it took more than two decades to set up the first launch pad in 1993.

The second launch pad came up in 2004, another decade-long gap. However, in the last 10 years, India's space sector has undergone unprecedented expansion, both in terms of infrastructure and investment, he said.

"We are now building a third launch pad and for the first time for heavier rockets, and expanding also beyond Sriharikota with a new launch site in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district to launch small satellites," Mr Singh said.

The minister said that India's space economy, currently valued at USD 8 billion, is projected to reach USD 44 billion in the next decade, further cementing India's role as a global space powerhouse.



The reforms initiated in the past decade, including the unlocking of the space sector for private players, have led to greater innovation, investment, and international collaborations, Mr Singh said.

"With new infrastructure, increased private participation and record-breaking investments, India is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come," he said.

(Except for the headline, this copy has not been edited by Jagran English)

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PS4 engine realized through AM route

PS4 engine during hot test​

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As part of the development programme, the injector head of the engine was realised and successfully hot tested earlier. Detailed flow and thermal modelling, structural simulation, and cold flow characterisation of the proto hardware were carried out to gain confidence for the hot test. Consequently, four successful developmental hot tests of integrated engine were conducted for a cumulative duration of 74 s which validated the engine performance parameters. Furthermore, the engine was successfully tested for the full qualification duration of 665 s and observed that all the performance parameters were as expected. It is planned to induct this AM PS4 engine into the regular PSLV program.
The performance of the engine during the long-duration test is shown in the following graph.​

ISRO successfully conducts long-duration hot tests of Additive Manufactured Liquid Engine.

Performance parameters	Expected	Achieved
Chamber Pressure, bar	8.33±0.125	8.29
Mixture Ratio	1.40±0.05	1.37
Isp, s	307±2	307.7

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ISRO unveils record-breaking propellant mixer​

ISRO has unveiled the world’s largest vertical planetary propellant mixer, a 10-tonne breakthrough built with CMTI Bengaluru. This innovation is set to enhance India’s spaceflight capabilities by ensuring safer, more efficient rocket fuel production. The mixer will play a key role in future space missions, including PSLV and Gaganyaan projects.​

Siddharth Shankar Published: 19 Feb 2025 18:50M

India has taken a major step forward in space technology with ISRO unveiling the world’s largest vertical planetary mixer for solid rocket propellants. This breakthrough is expected to enhance efficiency and safety in rocket fuel production, marking a significant milestone in India’s space capabilities.

Developed in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), the 10-tonne mixer is designed to support large-scale solid rocket motor production. The new system is set to play a crucial role in upcoming space missions, strengthening India’s self-reliance in propulsion technology.

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Why This Mixer Matters​

Solid rocket propellants play a crucial role in launch vehicles, requiring precision and safety in their manufacturing. The newly developed vertical planetary mixer ensures uniform blending of highly sensitive and hazardous components, making it a critical step in producing reliable solid rocket motors. The mixer weighs around 150 tonnes and measures 5.4 meters in length, 3.3 meters in breadth, and 8.7 meters in height. ISRO confirmed that this is the largest equipment of its kind globally, further advancing India’s self-reliance in propellant processing technology.

Collaboration & Development​

The project was led by CMTI Bengaluru, with significant contributions from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC). On February 13, the equipment was formally handed over to SDSC officials in the presence of ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan. The Department of Space highlighted that this initiative aligns with India’s self-reliance mission, Atma Nirbhar Bharat, strengthening indigenous technology development in space exploration.

How This Benefits India’s Space Missions​

The introduction of this advanced mixing technology is expected to improve productivity by allowing large-scale production of solid propellant motors. The uniform composition achieved through this mixer enhances quality and reduces risks during rocket launches. The system is designed to handle hazardous materials with greater control and precision, ensuring safety in the production process. Optimized processing time will help ISRO meet the increasing demand for space missions, supporting the country’s growing ambitions in space exploration.

Future Implications​

With this advanced solid propellant mixing technology, ISRO is poised to strengthen India’s spaceflight capabilities. The ability to manufacture large-scale solid rocket motors domestically ensures cost-effectiveness and reduces dependency on foreign technology. The successful deployment of this mixer marks another milestone in India’s space ambitions. Moving forward, ISRO aims to integrate this technology into upcoming Gaganyaan and PSLV missions, pushing India further into the competitive global space industry.

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ISRO unveils record-breaking propellant mixer

ISRO has unveiled the world’s largest vertical planetary propellant mixer, a 10-tonne breakthrough built with CMTI Bengaluru. This innovation is set to enhance India’s spaceflight capabilities by ensuring safer, more efficient rocket fuel production. The mixer will play a key role in future...

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