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Economic Times
30-07-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
ISRO-NASA launch NISAR to scan earth's surface twice every 12 days
In the works for over a decade, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched their first joint weather satellite on Wednesday at 5:40 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) will track movements in polar ice, forest biomass, wetlands, and changes in the earth's crust. The data generated from the satellite will be made freely available to researchers and governments worldwide, making it a global asset for climate research, disaster response, and natural resource management. This is the first such collaboration between the two space agencies. The NISAR satellite will orbit earth for at least three years, using its sophisticated radar systems to scan nearly all of the planet's land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days.'Separation confirmed. Each stage, precisely. Cryo ignition and Cryo stage performance flawless. GSLV-F16 delivered NISAR to orbit,' ISRO said in a statement post the satellite has been developed at $1.5 billion, making it one of the most expensive weather satellites and an Indo-US space collaboration. It is also the world's first radar imaging satellite to use both NASA-developed L-band and ISRO's S-band SAR technology, allowing for high-resolution monitoring of land and surface changes. 'It will support monitoring of infrastructure, such as dams, bridges, and roadways. The satellite's cloud-penetrating ability will help urgent-response communities during weather disasters such as hurricanes, storm surges, and floods,' NASA US agency has contributed the L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a high-rate telecommunication subsystem, GPS receivers, and a deployable 12-metre unfurlable antenna. ISRO, on its part, has provided the S-band SAR payload, the spacecraft bus to accommodate both payloads, the GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and all associated launch satellite's data will also be used for sea ice classification, ship detection, shoreline monitoring, storm tracking, crop mapping, and changes in soil moisture. NISAR will take about 90 days to start capturing data and sending it back to ground stations. 'While this mission was primarily led by national agencies, it paves the way for the dynamic Indian private space sector to actively contribute to such cutting-edge collaborations in the near future,' said Lt Gen AK Bhatt (retd), director general, Indian Space Association (ISpA). He added that this is a landmark mission in international cross-border space collaboration, showcasing the strength of ISRO and NASA's scientific partnership in advancing earth observation. Weighing 2,392 kg, NISAR features NASA's 12 m unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, integrated with ISRO's modified I3K satellite bus. Union science and technology minister Jitendra Singh said the satellite is a game-changer in the precise management of disasters like cyclones and floods. 'The inputs from NISAR will benefit the entire world community, in the true spirit of 'Vishwabandhu,' he wrote on X.
India Today
15-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
India hails Shubhanshu Shukla's historic spaceflight with widespread praise
With Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's safe return to Earth after his groundbreaking voyage to the International Space Station (ISS), leaders from across India's scientific and space communities have lauded the mission as a critical precursor to India's human space exploration goals, most notably the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and long-term ambitions of lunar who became the first Indian to visit the ISS, spent 18 days in space as part of the multinational Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, conducting over 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed and coordinated by Isro and Indian research his contributions, Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (retd.), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), said, 'We congratulate Axiom and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on completing a successful mission. This achievement is a stepping stone for India's future crewed space journeys, including the Gaganyaan mission and our ambitious goal of landing an Indian on the Moon by 2040. It will support Isro and energize both global and Indian private space industries.' Echoing the sentiment, astrophysicist Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor of Ashoka University, stated, 'This mission is not just a step forward – it is a giant leap in translating ambition into capability... The insights gained will be vital as we prepare for Gaganyaan in 2027, an Indian space station by 2035, and a Moon landing by 2040. It's a foundation for capability-driven space exploration.'Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, CMD of Ananth Technologies, emphasised the scientific success of the mission, 'Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla successfully completed all seven Indian-designed experiments, including studies on tardigrades, muscle cell growth, and crop germination. This mission is a precursor to our own Gaganyaan mission, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat where planetary exploration is driven by experimentation.'Adding to the chorus, Anil Prakash, Director General of SIA-India, celebrated the mission's biotech impact, 'This mission launches India into the space-biotech frontier. It showcases the power of public–private partnerships—featuring Isro, SpaceX, Axiom Space, Skyroot—and sets the stage for sustainable, orbit-based life-support systems.'As India steps into a new era of human spaceflight, Shubanshu Shukla's mission is being hailed as a defining launchpad for India's future among the stars.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Space-tech companies get an opening as India seeks more eyes in the sky
After Operation Sindoor , there is a growing push to enhance India's satellite-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), told ET that while India currently operates around 10–11 defence satellites , mostly from the Cartosat and RISAT series which are one of the bests—"revisit times are long," and there is an urgent need for more satellites to ensure persistent coverage. "The Space Based Surveillance (SBS-III) program is critical, but with a 4–5 year timeline, there's pressure to fast-track it and reduce dependence on foreign or commercial satellite data after the escalations between the two countries," Bhatt said who was also former director general of military operation (DGMO), who oversaw the Doklam crisis. He added that the upcoming 52 satellites under SBS-III will be owned and operated by India, offering real-time access to imagery from both low Earth and geostationary orbits. The private sector will play a big role in the surveillance program as 31 satellites will be made by three firms. The remaining 21 will come from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Experts said accurate satellite imagery plays a critical role in identifying enemy locations, planning operations, and confirming if the target has hit the intended spot. It serves as a reliable layer of intelligence even during active conflicts, complementing drones and ground-based radars, they explained.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Space-tech companies get an opening as India seeks more eyes in the sky
After Operation Sindoor , there is a growing push to enhance India's satellite-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), told ET that while India currently operates around 10–11 defence satellites , mostly from the Cartosat and RISAT series which are one of the bests—"revisit times are long," and there is an urgent need for more satellites to ensure persistent coverage. "The Space Based Surveillance (SBS-III) program is critical, but with a 4–5 year timeline, there's pressure to fast-track it and reduce dependence on foreign or commercial satellite data after the escalations between the two countries," Bhatt said who was also former director general of military operation (DGMO), who oversaw the Doklam crisis. He added that the upcoming 52 satellites under SBS-III will be owned and operated by India, offering real-time access to imagery from both low Earth and geostationary orbits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo ETtech The private sector will play a big role in the surveillance program as 31 satellites will be made by three firms. The remaining 21 will come from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Live Events Experts said accurate satellite imagery plays a critical role in identifying enemy locations, planning operations, and confirming if the target has hit the intended spot. It serves as a reliable layer of intelligence even during active conflicts, complementing drones and ground-based radars, they explained. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indian space-tech startups set offices, mfg facilities in US
Chennai: To scale up their business and gain access to the lucrative space-technology market, an increasing number of domestic space-tech startups are setting up subsidiaries and office facilities in the US. This helps them to gain access to the market as companies prefer domestic vendors, while some companies go a step further in US expansion by setting up local manufacturing facilities. Yashas Karanam, co-founder and chief operation officer of Bellatrix Aerospace said, 'Having a US presence supports our market expansion goals. Accessing the US government sector often necessitates having a local office or subsidiary for foreign companies. Additionally, many US entities prefer working with US-based partners. These factors collectively make a US presence crucial for growth and market access,' he said. Startups like Bellatrix, a satellite propulsion maker and Digantara, which focuses on space surveillance and intelligence, have already recently announced US operations, including subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities while players like GalaxEye plans to set up offices. Better market opportunity as the US represents over 50% of the global space market and better funding opportunities are some of the major drivers for startups to establish a US presence. Lt Gen AK Bhatt (retd), director general of Indian Space Association (ISpA) said setting up local entities will help navigate regulatory requirements, adding that the window of opportunity in the next three years is very critical for Indian companies tapping the global markets. 'To be relevant global players and have an early mover advantage, startups should have their products tested in space sooner. More companies need to validate their technology and some need to prove with orbital launches,' he said. While growing, the current domestic market, primarily driven by defence application and increasing interest from private players, is limited. Bhatt acknowledged the effort made to boost domestic demand, and said a lot more needs to be done. The US space technology market is estimated at $231 billion and market research reports estimate it to reach $348 billion by 2030. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
