5 Space Agencies in India

Dr. Puneeta Pandey

 

1. Learning Objectives

 

The objective of this module is to understand the role and achievements ofdifferent space agencies in India. The reader would be able to understand the applications of the space agencies and satellites in various domains of environmental sciences.

 

2. Introduction

 

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is the solitary governmental space agency in Indian with satellite launch and recovery facilities.ISRO is amongst the prime government space agencies in the world. Its key objective is to advance space technology and practice its applications for the national benefit.

 

3. Space Agencies in India

 

3.1 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

 

Indian Space Research Organizationwas formed on August15,1969 from INCOSPAR program and by the efforts of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. ISRO headquarter is in Bengaluru, India and is characterized as space agency of government of India. Its vision is to “harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is the father of India space program. He established Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR).Soviet Union on 19 April 1975-launched Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, which was constructed by ISRO. It was named after the great mathematician, Aryabhata.

 

Fig 1: ISRO logo

ISRO developed two rockets in 1980. Two rockets were:

 

  1. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle: PSLV was launched for launching satellites into polar orbits.
  2. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle:GSLV was launched for placing satellites into geostationary orbits.

These  rockets  have  launched  many communications  satellites and earth  observation  satellites. Satellite navigation systems like GAGAN and IRNSS have been deployed by ISRO.

 

3.1.2 Organization Structure

 

ISRO is under the supervision of Department of Space (DoS) of the Government of India. Authority of the Prime Minister and the Space Commission governs DoS and many agencies and institutes.

Fig 2: The Structure of the Department of Space of the Government of India

 

 

3.2 Components of Organization (ISRO)

 

3.2.1 PRL: Physical Research Laboratory is a National Research Institute for space and allied sciences. It is under the supervision of Department of Space and Government of India. PRL support research in the field of astronomy and astrophysics, atmospheric sciences and aeronomy, Earth sciences, Solar System. It is located in Ahmedabad. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai established PRL on 11 November 1947.

3.2.2NARL:National Atmospheric Research Laboratory was established to carry out research in field of Atmospheric and Space Sciences. NARLis an autonomous research laboratory, which is funded by the Department of Space, Government of India. It was founded in 1992 under the name National Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere (MST) Radar Facility. Prof. A. Jayaraman is the present director of NARL.

 

3.2.3NE-SAC: North Eastern Space Application Centre was established on 5thSeptember, 2000 by the joint efforts of Department of Space (DOS) and the North Eastern Council (NEC) . NESAC was established to expand the developmental process in the area by specifying the advanced space technology provision. The chief purposes of the Centre are:

 

To provide operational remote sensing based natural resource information To provide operational satellite communication applications services

 

To set up a space science and global change research hub by installation of necessary instrumentation and networking with various academic institutions of the NE region.

 

3.2.4SCL (Semi-Conductor Laboratory): SCL is a self-directed organization under Department of Space, Government of India. SCL provides research facilities in field of Microelectronics to encounter the requirements of the country. It was previously known as Semiconductor Complex Limited, which was further named as Semiconductor Laboratory from September 1, 2006. This agency is involved in fabrication, assembly &packaging, testing and quality Assurance of CMOS and MEMS Devices for various applications.

 

Functionsof SCL:

  • To create a strong R&D base in the country in field of microelectronics.
  • Design and development of devices in cutting edge technology
  • Manufacture VLSI.MEMS based system and subsystems.
  • Transform SCL as a centre of excellence in microelectronics on the country.

3.2.5 IIST: Indian Institute of Space science and Technology is located in Thiruvananthapuram, India and was established on 14, September 2007. This organization deals with research in outer space.

 

3.2.6 ANTRIX: Government of India (GOI) established Antrix on 28th September 1992 administratedby the Department of space (DoS). It is a commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Antrix was awarded with MANIRATNA status for promoting and marketing the commercial aspects arising from the Indian Space Programme.

 

3.2.7 National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC): This centre is located at Hyderabad and is responsible for distribution of satellite data products within India; besides providing training and creating awareness about geospatial technology.

 

4. Missions of ISRO

 

4.1 MARS ORBITER MISSION (MOM)

 

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was launched on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and entered the orbit on 24th September 2014. Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) is also known as Mangalayaan. Prime role of this mission was to find the past existence of life on mars and to find the possibility for preparing new life on mars. MOM will help us to study Mars surface features, its morphology, mineralogy and the Martian atmosphere. India became the first country to enter Mars orbit on its first effort. In this Mars Orbiter Mission, spacecraft of 1,337 kg was launched with 5 instruments as payload.

Fig 3: Mars disc imaged by MCC on Nov 9, 2017 (https://www.isro.gov.in/pslv-c25-mars-orbiter-mission)

 

4.2LVM3-X/CARE MISSION

 

Launch Vehicle- LVM3 was used in LVM3-X/CARE Mission and launched on December 18, 2014 from Satish Dhawan Space centre SHAR, Sriharikota. It was placed at an altitude of 126km. after twenty minutes of its take off module was collapse in the Bay of Bengal near Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indian Coast Guard helped to recover this module. This flight of LVM3 had a passive cryogenic stage.

 

Fig 4. LVM3 X Lift Off (https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/)

Objectives

  • Flight validation of the complex atmospheric flight regime of LVM3
  • Validation of new design feature
  • Overall integrity of the mission design, simulation and software implementation
  • Study the re-entry characteristics of Crew Module CARE

 

4.3 AstroSat MISSION

 

This mission marked a spot in history as the first dedicated multi-wavelength observatory of India launched on 28th September 2015 on a PSLV-XL. The satellite was launched into the space by the rocket, PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota; it had a launch mass of 1513 kg and into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 degree. AstroSat has an efficient life span of 5 years.

Fig 5. Astrosat (http://astrosat.iucaa.in/)

 

The scientific objectives of AstroSat mission included estimation of sources of multi-wavelength cosmic radiations in hard X-Ray and UV bands during sky surveys. It is also used to estimate the magnetic fields of neuron stars, broadband spectroscopic properties of X-ray binaries, clusters of galaxies and similar high energy processes in the cosmic system like Active Galactic Nucleus, Supernova remnants, and stellar coronae lying beyond our galaxy.

 

The Astrosat project is a collaborative effort of many different research institutions. The participants are Indian Space Research Organization, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, Canadian Space Agency, and University of Leicester.

 

4.4 GSAT-17

 

It is the most recent communication satellite launched by Indian Space Research Organization on 28th June 2017, it is operated by INSAT. This satellite weighs 3477 kg and carries large equipment’s which transmit the information regarding the chemical and physical nature of the atmosphere. It operates in the C-band, Extended C-band and S-bands of atmosphere and helps in satellite based search and rescue services. GSAT-17 was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by Ariane-5 VA-238 launch vehicle, later it is placed in a circular geostationary orbit using satellite’s Liquid Apogee Motor which is controlled by the Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan. GSAT-17 has a working life span of 15 years.

 

Fig 5. GSAT-17 at clean room with one of its Antennas Deployed

 

(https://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/gsat-17)

 

4.5 PSLV-C40/Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Mission

 

PSLV-C40 is the future project of ISRO and expected to be launched on Friday, Jan 12, 2018 at 09:28 Hrs (IST). PSLV-C40 will be launched in India’s Polar Satellite. Cartosat -2 series with Launch Vehicle of about 710 kg will be launched. Flight time of this vehicle is forty-second flight. First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. Will be used to launch the above said vehicle. India participated with one Microsatellite and one Nanosatellite and 3 Microsatellites and 25 Nanosatellites from six countries, namely, Canada, Finland, France, Republic of Korea, UK and USA. The total weight of all the 31 satellites carried onboard PSLV-C40 is about 1323 kg.

 

 

5. Spacecraft

 

A spacecraft is a vehicle or machine designed to fly in outer space. Spacecrafts are used for a variety of purpose that includes communication, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo.

 

5.1 Communication Satellites

 

The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) is the largest domestic communication satellite in Asia-Pacific region, with nine functionally active communication satellites situated in geostationary orbit. It was established in 1983 with authorization of INSAT-1B. Establishment of this satellite started a major revolution in India’s communications sector and continued the same after numerous years of its establishment. GSAT-17 joins the assemblage of INSAT System have 15 active satellites, namely – INSAT-3A, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4CR and GSAT-6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18. The transponders in the INSAT system placed in C, extended C and Ku bands assist in all climatic warning and forecast systems along with telecommunication and broadcasting. These satellites help in disaster warning news gathering television broadcasting, societal applications and search and rescue operations.

 

5.2 Earth Observation Satellites

 

Earth observation satellites are satellites particularly devised for Earth observation from orbit, and for environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc. In 1988, ISRO has launched many operational remote-sensing satellites. India has largest assemblages of remote sensing satellites in operation. At present there are 13 satellites in sun synchronous orbit and 4 in geostationary orbit. These satellites are used for covering agriculture, water resources, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry, ocean resources and disaster management. List of Earth observation satellites are as follow:

 

1.      Cartosat-2 Series Satellite

 

2.      RESOURCESAT-2A

 

3.      SCATASR-1

 

4.      INSAT-3DR

 

5.      SARAL

 

6.      RISAT-1

 

7.      Megha-Tropiques

 

8.      The Technology Experiment Satellite (TES)

 

9.      SROSS-2

 

10.  Rohini Satellite RS-D2

 

5.3 Satellite Navigation

 

Satellites systems can be used for different types of applications. The conventional satellite based navigation provided by ISRO fulfill the emerging demands of the individual and Civil Aviation requirements. ISRO is working jointly with Airport Authority of India (AAI) for establishment of GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system, to meet the Civil Aviation requirements. For the requirements of positioning, navigation and timing services based on the indigenous system, ISRO is establishing a regional satellite navigation system called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

 

5.3.1GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)

 

The Indian government implemented a regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), which further implemented a GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation (GAGAN) system. It is a system to increase the exactitude of a GNSS receiver by providing reference signals. The project has established 15 Indian reference stations, 3 Indian navigation land uplink stations, 3 Indian mission control centers, and installation of all associated software and communication links.It will be able to help pilots to navigate in the Indian airspace by an accuracy of 3 m. This will be helpful for landing aircraft in tough weather and terrain like Mangalore and Leh airports.

 

 

5.3.2 Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS): NavIC

 

IRNSS is an independent Indian Satellite based positioning system for critical National applications. This system is used for accurate timing, navigation and positioning assistance in India and its neighbor countries. The IRNSS will provide basically two types of services by the help of seven satellites

 

1.      Standard Positioning Service (SPS)

2.      Restricted Service (RS)

 

Three out of seven satellites are placed in GEO stationary orbit (GEO) and four satellites in Geo Synchronous Orbit (GSO) orbit.Honorable Prime Minister of India, Mr. NarendraModi named this group of seven satellites as “NavIC” (Navigation with Indian Constellation). All satellites of NavIC, namely, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, ID, 1E, 1F and 1G were successfully launched on July 02, 2013, Apr 04, 2014, Oct 16, 2014, Mar 28, 2015, Jan 20, 2016, Mar 10, 2016 and Apr 28, 2016 respectively and all are working adequately from their designated orbital positions.

 

6. Applications

 

6.1. Earth Observation

 

Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites were first developed to identify coconut root-wilt disease in Kerala in 1970. These satellites collect data on synoptic and systematic information about land, ocean and atmosphere and several aspects of environment at a regular interval of time.

 

6.2. Agriculture and Soil

 

Satellite based optical and radar images are used widely along with geospatial tools for monitoring of agriculture and generating crop models for agricultural yield forecasting besides drought assessment. Satellite systems can be used to estimate the crop production, the soil properties such as saline and sodic soil mapping. Agro-Met services, horticulture development and disaster surveillance for pest, flood and drought can be done using IRS.

 

6.3. Bio-resources and Environment

 

IRS technology can be used for finding out the wetlands and for lands in need to be conserved, similarly the regions rich in biodiversity and in need of conservation or on the brink of extinction can be estimated and monitored. The nature, diversity and status of resource rich environments of such as coastal regions, mangroves and corals or snow and glacier studies.

 

6.4. Cartography

 

IRS systems can be used for a large scale mapping, which can be used to update the topology of a terrain and the detailed report can be added to the map. An elevation model can be created online and such data can be shared in real time with least or no delay for use of Indian metereology, space research, geographical research, mining and archeological studies and can prove to be of significance.

 

6.5. Water Resources

 

EO satellites find wide application in management of water resources such as irrigation infrastructure, monitoring of glaciers and water bodies, hydrological information products, assessment of droughts and floods besides groundwater recharge. These satellites also help in studying the effect of climate and change in land use land cover on hydrologic regime of river basins.

 

6.6.Atmosphere and Climate Studies

 

Satellites are actively involved in studying the Land–air-Ocean interactions coupled with ground observations and modelling. Earth and Climate Sciences Area (ECSA) of NRSC emphasises on the study of Land Surface Processes, Climate Modeling, Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences. With increasing global temperatures, National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) was set up by ISRO to build an information base for climate change impact assessment and mitigation under the guidance of NICES Programme Management Council (NICES-PMC).

 

6.7. Disaster Management

 

Support Programs are well-studied using IRS technology. ISRO has developed various satellites to study about prior information of natural disasters such as flooded conditions, drought, earthquakes, cyclones, forest fires and landslides. Further, under Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP), the Decision Support Centre (DSC) was established at NRSC, which provides aerial and space enabled inputs along with other important data layers for use in pre-, during and post-disaster phases. Examples include monitoring of floods in Jammu and Kashmir(2014), Uttarakhand(2013) and Assam (2012); and cyclone HUDHUD in 2014 and PHAILIN in 2013.

 

6.8. Satellite Communication

 

Satellite Communication utilisation has become very important and ubiquitous throughout the country for various applications like Television, DTH Broadcasting, DSNG and VSAT. Many initiatives are taken into consideration by ISRO towards social development which include Tele-education, Tele-medicine, Village Resource Centre (VRC) and Disaster Management System (DMS) Programmes. The potential of the space technology for applications of national development is enormous.

 

7. Summary

 

In the current electronic era the generation, sharing and exploitation of data is the key to success and satellites play a huge role in minimizing the distance between these steps. Be it telecommunication, global positioning or navigation biodiversity assessment mapping rescue or search operations or any of the elaborated uses mentioned earlier, satellites play a pivotal role in our life and many of us know the least about them. Such information about the achievements of ISRO, Department of Space and other related institutes, artificial satellites, Indian Missions, various launching vehicles, and carrying rockets motivates youth towards space research and studies.

 

The readers have gained an insight into some of the space agencies of India working in the field of artificial satellites, launch vehicles and carriers pertaining to these satellites. This module is meant to acquaint the reader with these space agencies; and widen their knowledge as regards application of the satellites in the domains of environmental sciences, cartography, disaster management and satellite communication.

 

8. References