Latest news with #AdityaL-1
News18
22-07-2025
- Science
- News18
Eyeing The Stars: How India Is Turning Ladakh's Harsh Terrain Into A Science Launch-Pad
From analog space mission to biggest solar telescope, and glimpses of northern lights, Ladakh is turning into a year-round field lab for India's astronomers, and space scientists. Last May, Indian astronomers captured a stunning, rare display of northern lights dancing across Ladakh's night skies. This was triggered by the most intense solar storm in the last 20 years. A year later, using observations from the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle – alongside data from NASA and ESA – they have successfully traced the paths of these powerful solar eruptions, and determined their temperatures and magnetic properties. This is just one of the many science breakthroughs emerging from Ladakh. With its high altitude and one of the darkest skies in India, the region has long provided vital data for Indian astronomers. The 22-km area around Hanle hosts India's first Dark Sky Reserve. Now this cold, barren and Mars-like frontier has become India's most crucial site for astronomical research. From the country's first analog space mission to its largest solar telescope, Ladakh is fast emerging as the launch-pad for India's big scientific dreams. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, have long aimed to build the National Large Solar Telescope in Ladakh – a 2-metre ground-based telescope, set at 4,200 metres above the sea level, designed to observe the Sun in optical and near-infrared light like never before. The project has been years in the making, and is proposed to be set up near Pangong Lake in Merak, Ladakh. 'Ladakh offers one of the best sky conditions for astrophysicists in India. The weather is mostly clear, the altitude is high, rainfall is scarce, and it is practically a cold desert," said Dr Jayant Joshi, project scientist at IIA, Bengaluru. 'These conditions make Ladakh an ideal site for ground-based telescopes. The proposed solar telescope will probably be the largest in Asia, offering scientists a powerful tool to study the Sun and its complex behaviour." Globally, the best astronomical observatories are built in high-altitude mountain ranges with minimal light pollution, like in Hawaii or Chile. That is because ground-based telescopes have to deal with atmospheric turbulence, where heat in the air creates wavy patterns that can blur what we see. But, positioning the telescope at such altitude near Pangong Lake helps reduce that distortion, as water has high specific heat – it does not heat up or cool down quickly, which keeps the surrounding air more stable – perfect for sharp astronomical observation. 'The project is now in an advanced stage, and currently awaiting financial approval. Once operational, it will capture highly detailed images, crucial for understanding solar flares, and the impact of space weather on satellites. Together with Aditya L-1, it will provide deeper insights into solar activity," added Dr Joshi. LADAKH'S BARREN LAND – A TEST BED FOR SPACE-SCIENCE Scientists are eager to harness Ladakh's potential – not just for breakthroughs in research, but also as a training ground for astronomers, stargazers and space-science enthusiasts. At over 3,000 metres above sea level, Ladakh has just 40 per cent of sea-level oxygen, allowing realistic testing of life-support systems in low-pressure, low-oxygen conditions similar to Mars. Last year, private space firm AAKA Space Studio in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) set up the country's first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh – to support India's ambitious Human Spaceflight programme. Analog space facilities are essentially field tests on Earth that mimic extreme space environment, allowing scientists to test designs, materials, train crews, and conduct scientific experiments in realistic conditions. top videos View all 'Any space-faring nation aiming for the Moon or Mars must train its astronauts in extreme, Earth-based environments. With India targeting a Bhartiya Antriksh Station by 2035 and a Moon landing by 2040, setting up multiple analog research bases is essential," said Professor Aloke Kumar of IISc Bengaluru. 'Ladakh – with its dry, sub-zero temperatures, low precipitation, rocky terrain, permafrost, and high-altitude desert – is an ideal testbed that closely mimics Martian and lunar landscapes." Ladakh now also hosts – MACE – the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the highest of its kind in the world, located at around 4,300 metres. It was indigenously built by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to study very high-energy gamma rays from space, and inaugurated last October. With its unique geography and climate, the high-altitude Ladakh has now become an ideal, year-round field lab for geologists, geographers, astronomers, and space researchers from across India. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : ladakh northern lights Solar storm view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 22, 2025, 11:52 IST News india Eyeing The Stars: How India Is Turning Ladakh's Harsh Terrain Into A Science Launch-Pad Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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India Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
India gets Rs 2.54 back for every rupee invested in Isro: Former chief S Somnath
India's space programme is delivering an impressive economic return, with every rupee invested in the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) generating Rs 2.54 in value, according to former Isro chairman S. at the Oxford India Business Forum, Somnath highlighted the remarkable efficiency and impact of India's space sector, which has achieved global recognition despite modest budgets.'For every one rupee we spent, the return on investment is Rs 2.54. This is an indicator of our investment in the budget allocated to us, which is not much, yet we have built infrastructure, satellites, application domains, and successful missions,' Somnath told the He pointed to Isro's landmark achievements, including the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing, Aditya L-1 mission as proof of India's growing prowess in space also celebrated the explosive growth of India's private space industry. 'We had just one startup company in space before 2014. Now we have over 250 companies building rockets, getting ready for orbital missions, building satellites, and application companies are also emerging,' he said, noting that this ecosystem is set to help India scale its share of the global space ahead, Somnath outlined Isro's ambitious 25-year roadmap. 'We plan to send an Indian to the Moon, land and return. It is not just about showing we can land on the Moon, but developing the ecosystem,' he said. Plans include developing reusable rockets, establishing a Bharatiya Antariksh Station, enabling extended human presence in space, and exploring both the Moon and Mars.'We want to make sure that the Bharatiya Antariksh station is utilised by the science community across the world. We are looking for collaborators on microgravity research and want to ensure the investment is better utilised,' Somnath added, emphasising India's commitment to international scientific is also working to encourage and grow space exploration capabilities in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Oman, South Africa, and ASEAN nations, helping them expand their space application concluded by stressing the need for India to develop reusable launch vehicles, increase R&D spending, foster academic collaboration, and invest more in the strategic space domain. 'Space should be a catalyst for economic growth and enhancing knowledge,' he said, underlining Isro's vision of making India a global leader in space science and technology.- EndsMust Watch
India.com
02-07-2025
- Science
- India.com
ISRO set to make HISTORY again, prepares to launch 'Baahubali' rocket, to build its own space station by..., send astronauts to...
ISRO set to make HISTORY again, prepares to launch 'Baahubali' rocket, to build its own space station by..., send astronauts to... ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan has said that India is building a super-powerful rocket that will be able to carry satellites weighing up to 75,000 kilograms into low Earth orbit. This rocket will take around 27 days to complete the mission. It will be India's most powerful rocket ever. He shared this update on Monday at the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's residence in Dehradun, during a special space conference focused on Himalayan states. India's space plans for the future Dr. Narayanan said that India aims to set up its own space station by the year 2030, and by 2040, the country plans to send astronauts to the Moon. He also gave a quick look at India's space journey: India launched its first rocket in 1963 By 1975, the country had no satellites of its own Today, India has 131 satellites in space These satellites help with many things i.e. from TV broadcasts to weather forecasts, and much more. He added that ISRO is also working hard on the Human Space Program, which means India could soon send more astronauts into space on its own. India has set many records: ISRO Chief Narayanan ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan shared how far India has come in space science. He said there was a time when India's rockets were carried on bicycles, but today, the country holds several world records in space. Here are some key achievements he mentioned: India was the first country to discover water molecules on the Moon. India became the first nation to land on the Moon's South Pole. With the Aditya L-1 mission, India is now the fourth country studying the Sun. India entered Mars orbit on its very first attempt, making it the fourth country to do so. He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is reaching new milestones in space. He expressed confidence that by 2047, India will become a fully developed nation. Space data is helping in daily life: Dr. Prakash Chauhan Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), also spoke at the conference. He explained how space data is now used in many parts of daily life. Satellites give us useful updates, not just GPS navigation but also important environmental data. In Uttarakhand, satellite data was used to digitize livestock records. During the Rishiganga-Chamoli disaster, satellite images helped map the area, and that data was later used in national policy planning. This information also supported Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) reports. He said satellites are playing a big role in forest protection and wildfire monitoring, mapping of disaster-prone areas, glacier lake monitoring, flood and cloudburst forecasts Dr. Chauhan concluded that space technology is deeply changing how we live and prepare for natural disasters, especially in states like Uttarakhand.
India.com
04-05-2025
- Science
- India.com
Big tension for China, Pakistan as Indian satellites are practicing
Big tension for China, Pakistan as Indian satellites are practicing "dogfight" in space for…, aim is to… Satellite Dogfighting in Space: From carrying rockets on a bicycle to landing a spacecraft on the moon's south pole, the journey of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and India's space sector is nothing less than a fairy tale. Now, India's dominance in space is continuously increasing as the country has emerged as the cheapest option to launch other countries' satellites in space. From Chandrayaan-3 to Aditya L-1, India has proved its prowess in the space sector to the world. In the recent development, India is conducting a rare and very sophisticated 'dogfight' in space between 'chaser' and 'target' satellites, orbiting about 500 km above Earth. ISRO is going to conduct the operation after Chinese defense satellites practised 'dogfight' in the low Earth orbit last year. Notably, a dogfight in space refers to the strategic, close-quarters maneuvering of spacecraft, similar to aerial dogfights between fighter jets. Improved Expansion Of Spadex Missions The unique effort by India is another extension of ISRO's SpadeX mission. ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan told NDTV that SpadeX mission in India has successfully shown the 'docking and undocking process twice'. He informed that after the extended docking and undocking manoeuvres, both the satellites still had 50 percent fuel left. What Is The View Of Space Like? According to reports, the two Indian satellites – flying in space at a speed of 28,800 kmph participated autonomously in this precise flight pattern. Both satellites conducted rendezvous and proximity operations. A recent near-encounter between two satellites happened after days of manual movements to adjust their orbits. China Also Conducted 'Dogfight' The Dragon also demonstrated its capabilities by several satellites. Even the United States mentioned that its rivals are closing the technology gap. SPADEX Satellites Continue To Make An Impact India's ISRO successfully conducted a second docking manoeuvre of its SPADEX satellites (SDX 01 and SDX 02) on April 20, followed by a successful power transfer test between the two satellites on April 21st. Heat Transferred From One Satellite To Another Notably, the experiment also involved operating a heater element in one satellite through power from the other satellite. The duration of power transfer was about 4 minutes, and the performance of the satellites was as expected. In the second docking attempt, docking was accomplished with full autonomy from an inter-satellite distance of 15 meters. In the first docking attempt, an additional hold point was manually used at an inter-satellite distance of 3 meters. The first docking was achieved on January 16 this year. ISRO successfully docked two Indian satellites orbiting in space at 475 km above the Earth, making it the fourth country to learn docking after Russia, the US and China. India launched the SpadeX mission using its reliable and low-cost PSLV rocket on December 30 last year. Docking is an enabling technology for upcoming missions such as Chandrayaan-4 and the Indian Space Station.
