Latest news with #Chandrayaan
United News of India
3 days ago
- Science
- United News of India
ISRO reflects a successful 2024
Chennai, May 31 (UNI) As the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for mega launches including Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and Indo-US Nissar Mission, besides sedning country's first Astronaut to International Space Station (ISS) on board Axiom-4 mission, the Space Agency looked back with pride its ahievements made in 2024. In an update on its website, ISRO said there were five launches from the spaceport of Sriharikota that proved successful that included precise injection of eight Indian spacecrafts, one foreign satellite and six rocket bodies, including POEM 3 and 4. They included PSLV-C58/XPoSat, PSLV-C59/PROBA-3, PSLV-C60/SPADEX docking experimental mission, GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS, and SSLV-D3/EOS-08 mission, all of them successfullyinjected the payloads in their designated orbits. ISRO's GSAT-20 was launched by Falcon-9 Block 5 of SpaceX from Cape Canaveral. TSAT-1A was also launched by Falcon-9. "Consequently, a total of 8 Indian satellites, 1 foreign satellite, and 6 rocket bodies (including POEM-3 and POEM-4) were placed in their intended orbits", It said reflecting back on its achievements of 2024. It said a total of 136 Indian spacecraft, including those from private operators/academic institutions, were launched in Earth-orbit till December 31, 2024. As of that date, the number of operational satellites owned by the Indian government is 22 in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and 31 in GEO (Geo-synchronous Earth Orbit). In addition, two Indian deep space missions, namely, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter (CH2O) and Aditya-L1 at Sun-Earth Lagrange's point were also active. The propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft continued to operate in a high Earth orbit (more than 1 lakh km away) after being relocated from its lunar orbit since November 2023. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, releasing the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2024 compiled by ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM), said the upper stage of PSLV-C3 underwent an accidental break-up in 2001 and generated 371 debris. While most of these fragments have re-entered the atmosphere, 41 PSLV-C3 debris were still in orbit by the end of 2024. On Atmospheric re-entry, it said among the intact Indian upper stages, 34 rocket bodies re-entered the Earth's atmosphere till 2024 end, and five of such re-entries took place in 2024. All LVM3 rocket bodies have decayed, only the one from LVM3 M2 OneWeb India- mission remain in orbit. Among GSLV rocket bodies, only GSLV-F12 and GSLV-F14 rocket bodies are in orbit. A total of 31 Indian satellites have re-entered the atmosphere till the end of 2024. In the year 2024 alone, 9 Indian satellites re-entered the atmosphere. Among them was Cartosat-2 which re-entered the atmosphere on February 14, 2024, the first-ever LEO satellite of ISRO to be de-orbited at end-of-life to reduce its post-mission orbital life from more than 30 to less than 4 years. MORE UNI GV 0620
Hans India
6 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
Breaking Barriers: India's Bold Leap in Space Exploration
ISRO's amazing journey can be described by the expression "Sky is not the limit." Since its beginning the program has evolved to become one of the most innovative and economically efficient space ventures. Chandrayaan to Gaganyan Journey The Indian Space Research Organisation initiated the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30 with docking planned for January 9. The agency plans to send the navigation satellite NVS-02 to space aboard a GSLV rocket during this month. The Gaganyaan uncrewed module launch alongside the US commercial satellite launch using ISRO's Mark III vehicle are in preparation at Sriharikota. Water molecules discovered on the lunar surface have revolutionized our knowledge of the lunar geography. ISRO kept up the good work by launching Chandrayaan-2 in July of this year. The mission consisted of three major elements comprising an orbiter as well as an orbiter, the Vikram Lander and Pragyan rover. The lander was hit by a crash on its descent, however the orbiter continues to operate and transmits valuable data to Earth. The organization has had several great leaders in the past. Being a member of this organization feels like a tremendous stroke of fortune to me. ISRO has entered a successful period according to his statement. The PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission failure was an exceptional event in ISRO's history according to Narayanan. India was joined by China, the US, Russia and China as the fourth country to achieve a lunar soft landing, and was the first country to make this happen in the moon's difficult south Polar region. The area hosts permanently shadowed craters which scientists believe could contain ice deposits making it a zone of major scientific interest. Gaganyaan: India's Human Spaceflight Mission Robotic missions, such as Chandrayaan or Mangalyaan (India's 2013. Mars spacecraft) have shown ISRO's technology capability, Gaganyaan represents a giant leap for India's Gaganyaan mission is aimed at launching Indian astronauts dubbed Vyomanauts into low Earth orbit with an in-house spacecraft. The mission represents India's debut into the exclusive circle of countries that conduct human spaceflight missions along with the United States, Russia, and China. ISRO has established the program as its top priority even after experiencing multiple delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and technical problems. By 2025 the Indian space program has achieved significant progress with the spacecraft design completed and both crew module and life-support systems tested through advanced trials alongside established plans for uncrewed test flights before the 2026 crewed mission. Through the Gaganyaan mission ISRO will showcase their human spaceflight abilities while establishing a foundation for future complex projects like space stations and human interplanetary exploration. Strategic and Commercial Implications India's space ambitions encompass more than scientific exploration as they hold important strategic and economic significance. National security requirements and weather forecasting along with agricultural planning and disaster management initiatives now increasingly depend on space technology within the country. India's affordable satellite launch capacity has turned it into the go-to option for deploying small and medium-sized satellites globally. The establishment of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) alongside the transformation of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) into ISRO's commercial division represents a strategic effort to bring private entities into the Indian space sector. Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos are building domestic launch vehicles which indicate a budding private space economy. India is becoming more active in participating in global space missions. The government has joined forces with NASA to support the NISAR mission which is a collaborative The Road Ahead India's space program is set for unprecedented advancements in the future. ISRO is preparing to send missions to Venus and extend its exploration efforts on Mars. India's strategic space roadmap now includes real plans for constructing a space station by the 2030s and making contributions to lunar bases and interplanetary travel. India demonstrates through successful space missions with reduced budgets that space exploration can be cost-effective. Frugal innovation stands as a national strength for India while simultaneously serving as a global example. Conclusion India's space journey stands out as a resilient and visionary pursuit that includes lunar exploration and human spaceflight planning. Under ISRO leadership and the growing participation of private industry India is moving beyond celestial ambitions to emerge as a key player in the field of space exploration.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘India exports technology, Pakistan exports terrorism': Indian delegation in Congo
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, who is leading multi-party delegations to Congo on Tuesday (local time) launched a scathing attack on Pakistan for its involvement in promoting terrorism. While speaking with ANI, Shinde drew stark contrast between the two nations, saying, "India exports talent and technology to the world, Pakistan exports terrorism; India is building trade corridors, Pakistan is building terrorism corridors; India is launching Chandrayaan and other satellites, Pakistan launches terrorists from its land." Speaking about the delegation's meeting with Congo's parliamentarians and leaders, Shinde informed that they have expressed solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. "When we told the leaders here about Pakistan's acts of supporting, sheltering and equipping dreaded terrorists and terror organisations, when we told them about the terror attacks that India has suffered over the years, they expressed their solidarity with India," he said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, Indian Union Muslim League's ET Mohammed Basheer, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy are also part of the delegation. BJD MP Sasmit Patra stated that the visit was successful and added that during the meeting, representatives of the government of Congo expressed sadness over the extreme terrorism that Pakistan has perpetrated over the past four decades on India. "The all-party delegation's visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo has been very successful... We met with various stakeholders, including the representatives of the government here, the media, and the consensus that comes out is that they are all heartbroken and shocked. They're all saddened by the extreme terrorism that Pakistan has perpetrated over the past four decades on India," Patra said. Simultaneously, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, "It (Delegation visit to Congo) has ensured that they are going to echo our stance of strict zero tolerance against terrorism even on a global stage. Whether it was the UAE or the Democratic Republic of Congo, after our visits, both nations recognised that on one hand, there is India, which is now the 4th largest economy in the world." BJP MP Atul Garg said that during their meeting with Foreign Affairs Commission chairman Berthhold Ulungu Ekonda Lukata, he observed a minute's silence in the innocent citizens who were killed in the Pahalgam attack. "The Foreign Affairs Commission chairman observed a minute's silence today in honour of our innocent citizens who were killed (in the Pahalgam attack)... They promised they would make Africa and the world aware of the problem that India is facing," Garg said. Additionally, IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer explained that all the dignitaries were cooperative and offered wholehearted support, adding "...We had a series of discussions. We have explained everything. The officials, the ministers, the speaker, and everybody were very cooperative in their replies. Their replies were very inspiring, and the House offered wholehearted support of this nation for India's cause." Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde-led delegation is in Congo to brief Congolese officials on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"India exports talent and technology, Pakistan exports terrorism," Shrikant Shinde in Congo
Kinshasa [Congo], May 28 (ANI): Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, who is leading multi-party delegations to Congo on Tuesday (local time) launched a scathing attack on Pakistan for its involvement in promoting terrorism. While speaking with ANI, Shinde drew stark contrast between the two nations, saying, 'India exports talent and technology to the world, Pakistan exports terrorism; India is building trade corridors, Pakistan is building terrorism corridors; India is launching Chandrayaan and other satellites, Pakistan launches terrorists from its land.' Speaking about the delegation's meeting with Congo's parliamentarians and leaders, Shinde informed that they have expressed solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. 'When we told the leaders here about Pakistan's acts of supporting, sheltering and equipping dreaded terrorists and terror organisations, when we told them about the terror attacks that India has suffered over the years, they expressed their solidarity with India,' he said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, Indian Union Muslim League's ET Mohammed Basheer, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy are also part of the delegation. BJD MP Sasmit Patra stated that the visit was successful and added that during the meeting, representatives of the government of Congo expressed sadness over the extreme terrorism that Pakistan has perpetrated over the past four decades on India. 'The all-party delegation's visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo has been very successful... We met with various stakeholders, including the representatives of the government here, the media, and the consensus that comes out is that they are all heartbroken and shocked. They're all saddened by the extreme terrorism that Pakistan has perpetrated over the past four decades on India,' Patra said. Simultaneously, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, 'It (Delegation visit to Congo) has ensured that they are going to echo our stance of strict zero tolerance against terrorism even on a global stage. Whether it was the UAE or the Democratic Republic of Congo, after our visits, both nations recognised that on one hand, there is India, which is now the 4th largest economy in the world.' BJP MP Atul Garg said that during their meeting with Foreign Affairs Commission chairman Berthhold Ulungu Ekonda Lukata, he observed a minute's silence in the innocent citizens who were killed in the Pahalgam attack. 'The Foreign Affairs Commission chairman observed a minute's silence today in honour of our innocent citizens who were killed (in the Pahalgam attack)... They promised they would make Africa and the world aware of the problem that India is facing,' Garg said. Additionally, IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer explained that all the dignitaries were cooperative and offered wholehearted support, adding '...We had a series of discussions. We have explained everything. The officials, the ministers, the speaker, and everybody were very cooperative in their replies. Their replies were very inspiring, and the House offered wholehearted support of this nation for India's cause.' Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde-led delegation is in Congo to brief Congolese officials on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders. (ANI)
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
India's Astronauts Vs Pakistan's Terrorists: A Tale of Two National Visions
New Delhi: As India prepares to send an astronaut into space, the contrast with its western neighbour could not be more stark. While India trains scientists and astronauts to explore the cosmos, state-sponsored terror continues to operate undeterred in Pakistan, Dr VK Saraswat, former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and current member of NITI Aayog told NDTV. "It's a glaring example of the psychology of our adversary. While India has always focused on training its people for peaceful exploration of space, Pakistan has, unfortunately, chosen a path of fostering terrorism," Dr Saraswat said. His remarks come a month after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam left 26 civilians dead. India then began Operation Sindoor on May 7 with air strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "Our space program is globally recognised for achieving excellence at the lowest cost," Dr Saraswat emphasised. "It's a testament to India's commitment to peaceful progress and technological innovation." India's space journey began with Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic flight to space in 1984 and advanced to remarkable missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. India is also planning its own space station and deep space missions, all aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and benefiting humanity. Next month, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station, marking another proud moment for India's space ambitions. Further, Indian Space Research Organisation's Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit aboard an indigenous spacecraft. Contrasting with the advancements with the situation across the border, Dr Saraswat said Pakistan should leverage technology to better people's lives. "Terrorism is an anathema to social structure. It should be detested and removed. Instead of creating chaos, Pakistan should focus on science and technology for the betterment of its people," he said. With the motive of the betterment of people, Dr Saraswat suggested that India is open to collaboration with its neighbour in the space sector. "If Pakistan wants to work with us, we can even consider a joint space program. We're willing to share technologies that can uplift their population," he said. As India prepares to launch its next astronaut, its message and vision is clear - peace, progress, and prosperity through science.
