The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday.

ISRO shared on X that the third developmental flight of the SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) was a success, with SSLV-D3 precisely placing EOS-08 into orbit. This accomplishment signifies the successful completion of ISRO’s SSLV Development Project. With the technology now being transferred, the Indian industry and NSIL India will produce SSLV for future commercial missions.

According to ISRO, the six-and-a-half-hour countdown for the launch began at 2:47 am. This mission represents the third and final developmental flight of the SSLV-D3/EOS-08 mission, with the spacecraft designed for a mission duration of one year.

The primary goals of the EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and integrating new technologies for future operational satellites, as previously stated by ISRO.

Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 is equipped with three payloads: the Electro-Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry Payload (GNSS-R), and the SiC UV Dosimeter.

The EOIR payload is capable of capturing images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands, both day and night, for various applications including satellite-based surveillance, disaster and environmental monitoring, volcanic activity observation, fire detection, and industrial disaster monitoring. The GNSS-R payload demonstrates the use of GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications such as ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies over the Himalayas, flood detection, and inland waterbody detection.

The mission operates in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 475 km with an inclination of 37.4°, and is expected to have a mission life of one year. The satellite weighs approximately 175.5 kg and generates around 420 W of power. It interfaces with the SSLV-D3/IBL-358 launch vehicle.

EOS-08 represents a significant leap in satellite mainframe systems, featuring an Integrated Avionics system known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package. This package integrates multiple functions into a single, efficient unit, and is designed with cold redundant systems using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and evaluation boards, supporting up to 400 GB of data storage. Additionally, the satellite includes a structural panel embedded with PCB, an embedded battery, a Micro-DGA (Dual Gimbal Antenna), an M-PAA (Phased Array Antenna), and a flexible solar panel, all serving as critical components for onboard technology demonstration.

Namit Malhotra’s journey from a young film enthusiast to a global leader in visual effects is nothing short of extraordinary. Born into a film family in Mumbai, his early exposure to the industry came from his grandfather, MN Malhotra, a cinematographer, and his father, Naresh Malhotra, who produced popular blockbusters like *Shahenshah*. Initially inclined toward directing, Namit’s career trajectory changed dramatically after watching *Jurassic Park* in 1993. The film’s innovative use of technology opened his eyes to the vast possibilities in filmmaking when combined with cutting-edge technology. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Malhotra stated, “*Jurassic Park* became a big eye-opener for me… it got me excited about what the world of filmmaking or storytelling could be if one leveraged technology.”

In 1995, armed with this new vision, Namit, along with three friends who taught him computer graphics, launched a garage startup called Video Workshop. With the help of an Apple Mac, the team began working on post-production for television shows, including *Boogie Woogie* and *Colgate Top 10*, as well as on ad films and music videos. Two years later, he founded Prime Focus, a visual and special effects company. Prime Focus quickly gained prominence in the media services industry and eventually expanded its reach to Hollywood, working on high-profile films such as *Avatar*, *Star Wars*, and *Harry Potter*. In 2014, Prime Focus purchased the British visual effects company Double Negative (DNEG), with Malhotra stepping into the roles of chairman and CEO.

At 48, Malhotra has recently added significant achievements to his résumé, including his work on Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning *Oppenheimer*, *The Garfield Movie*, and *Dune: Part Two*. He has also remained connected to Bollywood, producing major films like *Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva* and the upcoming *Ramayana* starring Ranbir Kapoor. Malhotra’s expertise and contributions to both Hollywood and Bollywood have made him a key figure in the global film industry.

Malhotra’s venture into visual effects began when his father encouraged him to explore the intersection of filmmaking and technology. Though not initially drawn to computers, Malhotra quickly realized the potential of combining the two disciplines. This led him to establish Video Workshop, a post-production studio that became known for its work on popular TV shows and music videos during the early days of satellite television in India. By 1997, Video Workshop had grown significantly, prompting Malhotra to form Prime Focus and shift the company’s focus toward the advertising industry.

Prime Focus soon became a trailblazer in the visual effects industry, growing from a modest garage startup to the world’s largest integrated media services facility. This success, however, was not without challenges. Malhotra faced difficulties in establishing credibility in Hollywood, particularly during the 2007-08 financial recession. Nonetheless, his determination and vision allowed Prime Focus to thrive, eventually leading to its current status as a global powerhouse in visual effects.

Malhotra’s work on blockbuster films such as *Star Wars*, *Harry Potter*, and *Dune* has solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the industry. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling has earned him accolades and respect from peers and audiences alike. As the film industry continues to evolve, Malhotra remains committed to exploring new possibilities in visual effects and animation, while also contributing to the growth of the Indian film industry.

India’s pioneering solar mission, Aditya-L1, achieved a significant milestone by completing its first halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 point, as confirmed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Launched on September 2 last year, Aditya-L1 is an Indian solar observatory stationed at the Lagrangian point L1, where gravitational forces between the Sun and Earth create a stable observing position. It was successfully inserted into its designated halo orbit on January 6.

Operating in the halo orbit, Aditya-L1 revolves around the L1 point every 178 days, although it faces challenges from various external forces that may slightly alter its intended trajectory, as noted by ISRO. To maintain its orbital path, the spacecraft underwent two station-keeping manoeuvres on February 22 and June 7. Today’s third manoeuvre ensured Aditya-L1 continued on its trajectory, advancing into its second halo orbit path around L1.

ISRO highlighted the complexity of managing Aditya-L1’s journey, emphasizing the critical role of accurately modeling and understanding the forces affecting the spacecraft. The successful execution of the state-of-the-art flight dynamics software developed internally by URSC-ISRO for Aditya-L1 missions validates its capability in planning and executing precise orbit adjustments.

In visual representations provided by ISRO, the spacecraft’s trajectory around L1 is depicted, with specific markers indicating station-keeping manoeuvres crucial for maintaining its orbit. The final manoeuvre on July 2 ensured Aditya-L1 remained on course, preventing it from deviating onto an alternative trajectory represented in green.

The mission’s success underscores India’s advancement in space exploration and solar observation capabilities, positioning Aditya-L1 to gather crucial data on solar phenomena from its vantage point at L1.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked a significant milestone on June 23, 2024, by achieving its third consecutive success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX). This final test, designated LEX-03, was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka, at 07:10 IST.

Following the successes of the RLV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, RLV LEX-03 demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV under more challenging conditions. This mission tested the vehicle’s performance with a cross range of 500 meters, compared to the 150 meters achieved in LEX-02, and under harsher wind conditions. The winged vehicle, named ‘Pushpak,’ was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 kilometers. Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction maneuvers and approached the runway, performing a precise horizontal landing. The landing velocity exceeded 320 km/h, surpassing the typical 260 km/h for commercial aircraft and 280 km/h for fighter jets. After touchdown, Pushpak’s speed was reduced to nearly 100 km/h using its brake parachute, followed by landing gear brakes. During the ground roll phase, Pushpak maintained stability using its rudder and nose wheel steering system.

This mission simulated the approach and landing conditions of a vehicle returning from space, affirming ISRO’s expertise in the critical technologies necessary for developing a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). The algorithms for correcting longitudinal and lateral errors, crucial for future orbital re-entry missions, were successfully validated for their advanced guidance capabilities. The RLV-LEX used multisensor fusion technology, including an Inertial sensor, Radar altimeter, Flush air data system, Pseudolite system, and NavIC. Notably, the winged body and flight systems from the LEX-02 mission were reused without any modifications, showcasing ISRO’s robust design capabilities.

The mission, led by VSSC, was a collaborative effort involving multiple ISRO centers and significant support from the Indian Air Force, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), and other key partners. ISRO Chairman Shri S Somanath congratulated the team for their consistent success in these complex missions, while Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of VSSC, emphasized that this success boosts confidence in the critical technologies required for future orbital re-entry missions.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to conduct the second test flight of the uncrewed Gaganyaan mission on April 24, marking another significant stride in space exploration, as stated by ISRO Chairman S Somanath during an Astronautical Society of India (ASI) event in Ahmedabad.

Scheduled for April 24, the airdrop test is part of the Gaganyaan project, with two more uncrewed missions slated for next year and a manned mission potentially by the end of the following year, provided all goes smoothly, as announced by Somanath on April 17.

The Gaganyaan initiative aims to showcase India’s capability in human spaceflight by sending a crew of three into a 400-kilometer orbit for a three-day voyage, culminating in a safe return to Earth, landing in the Indian Ocean.

By successfully accomplishing this mission, India will join the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China as a nation with an active human spaceflight program, thereby elevating its standing in the global space exploration community.

Unmanned trials for the Gaganyaan program are expected to kick off later this year, with ISRO aiming to complete seven trial launches by March of the following year.

ISRO is spearheading India’s manned space mission independently, collaborating with partner vendors to develop a fully indigenous technology framework for Gaganyaan’s space infrastructure. This distinguishes India’s approach from that of the United States, which often relies on private firms like SpaceX and Lockheed Martin for both commercial and human spaceflight ventures.

Furthermore, India’s entry into the league of nations landing rovers on the moon, alongside the US, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), and China, was solidified with the Chandrayaan-3 mission in August last year.

ISRO’s Chandrayaan missions have yielded crucial findings regarding the presence of water on the lunar surface, underscoring India’s growing prowess in applied research endeavors in space, a trend expected to further amplify through initiatives like Gaganyaan.

LMW Advanced Technology Centre supplies Ogive Payload Fairing to ISRO for GSLV MK-III, bolstering India’s space endeavors.Coimbatore-based LMW Advanced Technology Centre (LMW ATC), specializing in the space and aerospace sectors, has recently supplied a 5-meter diameter Ogive Payload Fairing to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for GSLV MK-III missions. This fairing, which transports satellites into orbit, is constructed using carbon composites and stands at 10.75 meters tall.

LMW, comprising metallics and composites divisions, fabricated the payload fairing. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, the Chairman and Managing Director of LMW, presented the hardware documents to ISRO Chairman S. Somanath. The unveiling of the payload fairing occurred virtually during the handover ceremony.

Previously, in February, LMW-ATC delivered a crucial flight component, a “4-meter diameter hat stiffened composite equipment bay shroud,” for the impending Gaganyaan Mission. Moreover, the company participated in assembling, conducting structural tests, and performing non-destructive tests on composite tubular components for the Inter Tank Structure of the C 25 cryogenic upper stage, slated for the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Approximately half of the proposed launches are commercial ventures, with the remainder being user-funded, scientific, or technology test missions. Seven of the commercial missions are attributed to NewSpace India Ltd., the commercial wing of the Department of Space, including the realization of two Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) through a consortium involving L&T and HAL. This surge in launch activity signals significant growth in the country’s space sector.

This initiative aligns with the objectives outlined in India’s recently ratified Space Policy, which entrusts IN-SPACe with the authorization of launch manifestos. These manifestos encompass a wide range of missions, from ISRO’s scientific endeavors to commercial launches, aligning with the vision of ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India).

Key private sector ventures include sub-orbital and orbital launches by companies like Agnikul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace. Various private sector satellites, including those from Digantara Research & Technology, Dhruvaspace, and academic institutes like IIT-Madras, are also slated for launch.

While the launch manifesto outlines planned missions, IN-SPACe remains flexible to accommodate additional requirements from private players. The roster includes missions scheduled for the current fiscal year and the following year, encompassing a diverse array of endeavors ranging from ISRO’s user-funded missions to commercial space endeavors.

Among the highlighted missions are PSLV C58, GSLV-F14, and AGNIBAAN-SORTeD in the current fiscal year, followed by PSLV C60, GSLV F15, and a host of commercial ventures in the subsequent year. These missions underscore India’s commitment to expanding its presence in space and fostering a vibrant space ecosystem.

According to a press release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s first human-manned space flight, named ‘Gaganyaan’, is set to carry Indian astronauts into space, with the woman robot astronaut ‘Vyommitra’ slated to precede it. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh disclosed that the ‘Vyommitra Mission’ is scheduled for the third quarter of this year, while the manned ‘Gaganyaan’ mission is slated for launch in 2025.

Here are five key points about the ‘Vyommitra Mission’:
– The name ‘Vyommitra’ is derived from Sanskrit, combining ‘Vyoma’ meaning space and ‘Mitra’ meaning friend.
– This female robot astronaut is equipped to monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and execute life-support operations.It is also capable of executing functions like controlling six panels and answering questions.
– Designed to simulate human functions in space, Vyommitra can interact with the Life Support System.
– In preparation for India’s first manned space flight, the Test Vehicle Flight TV D1 was successfully conducted on October 21 last year, aiming to qualify the crew escape system and parachute system.
– The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India’s human space capabilities by launching a crew of astronauts into a 400 km orbit and safely returning them to Earth. The launch vehicle has been human-rated, with all propulsion stages qualified, and preparations in place. Additionally, Chandrayaan 3, which landed on the Moon’s South Pole on August 23 last year, is progressing as expected.

Under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO, the project focuses on analyzing rivers in the Alluvial Gangetic Plain, Himalayan foothill region, and coastal plains. The study encompasses factors like climatic changes, neo-tectonic activities, anthropogenic impacts, and external influences contributing to river migration.

A senior department official highlighted the alarming changes in river migration, citing the example of the Jalangi River in Murshidabad, which has experienced water scarcity due to the primary course of the Ganga River shifting towards Bangladesh. The study aims to provide a detailed report to the Irrigation and Waterways and Disaster Management departments of the state government. The findings will guide effective measures against river migration-related challenges from a natural disaster perspective.

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flash floods

The Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the coast of Odisha served as the location for the flight test. The ministry emphasized that the system’s performance was further validated through data collected by numerous Radars, Telemetry, and Electro Optical Tracking Systems deployed by ITR, Chandipur.

High-ranking personnel from DRDO, Indian Air Force (IAF), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) observed the successful flight trial. The AKASH-NG system, recognized as a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats, has now cleared the path for User trials, marking a significant milestone in its development.

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high-speed aerial threats

Ministry of Defence

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