Important missions of ISRO at a glance | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and operating under the Department of Space.
• ISRO's primary goal is to utilize space technology for the development of the nation while also engaging in space science research and exploring other planets.
• In 2019, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) was established to take over the commercial activities previously handled by Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL). NSIL is now responsible for the production, launch, and sale of ISRO's space products and services.

Early Days of Space Research in India

• 1960s: India initiated its space research programme under the leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who is considered the father of the Indian space programme. The focus was on developing satellites for communication and remote sensing, a space transportation system, and application programmes.
• 1962: The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was formed to promote and coordinate space research activities in the country.
• 1975-76: The Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) was conducted, which was one of the largest sociological experiments globally. It aimed to study the impact of satellite-based education and communication, paving the way for future initiatives like EDUSAT and Digital India.
• 1975: India launched its first satellite, Aryabhata, which marked the beginning of India's journey in space exploration. The satellite was launched with the help of a Soviet launcher.
• 1980: The Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) was successfully launched, making India the sixth country in the world to develop and launch its own satellite launch vehicle. The SLV-3 was capable of placing 40 kg of payload in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Advancements in Remote Sensing and Communication

• 1980s: The Bhaskara-I and II missions were launched, representing significant progress in remote sensing technology. These satellites were used for Earth observation and resource management. The Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) was also conducted during this period, which laid the foundation for future communication satellite systems.
• 1990s: This decade saw the establishment of major space infrastructure in India, focusing on the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) for communication, broadcasting, and meteorology, and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) system for Earth observation and resource management. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) were developed and operated during this period, enhancing India's satellite launch capabilities.

Recent Developments

• GSLV Mk III (LVM-3): This advanced launch vehicle was developed by ISRO and used for significant missions such as Chandrayaan-2, which aimed to explore the Moon's surface.
• Future Missions: ISRO has plans for further missions, including Chandrayaan-3, which is part of the Gaganyaan mission, India's ambitious programme to send humans into space.

Milestones of ISRO

• The initial Indian-crafted sounding rocket was the RH-75 (Rohini-75), launched from TERLS in 1967. The Rohini Sounding Rockets series has been pivotal in atmospheric and weather research.
• In 1975, ISRO developed its first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union.
• The SLV-3, India’s first indigenous launch vehicle, successfully deployed the Rohini Satellite into orbit in 1980.
• ISRO's inaugural INSAT satellite (INSAT-1A) was launched in 1982 but did not achieve orbit. The subsequent satellite, INSAT-1B, was successfully launched in 1983.
• The first IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellite was launched by ISRO in 1988.
• ISRO has created four primary launch vehicles:
  • PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)
  • GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle)
  • GSLV Mk III (now known as LVM3 - Launch Vehicle Mark 3)
  • SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle). launched in 2022 for small payloads.
• Chandrayaan-1 (2008). India’s maiden lunar mission, which verified the existence of water molecules on the Moon.
• Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) – 2014. India became the first nation to successfully enter Mars orbit on its first attempt, and the first Asian country to achieve this feat.
• 2017. ISRO set a global record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission using PSLV-C37.
• 2019. Chandrayaan-2 aimed for a soft landing on the Moon. although the Vikram lander did not succeed, the orbiter remains operational.
• 2023. Chandrayaan-3 achieved a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole, making India the first country to accomplish this.
• 2023. Aditya-L1, India’s inaugural solar mission, was launched to investigate the Sun’s outer layers.
• Upcoming Missions.
  • Gaganyaan (Human Spaceflight Mission). Anticipated in 2025, this will be India’s first crewed mission to space.
  • Shukrayaan-1 (Venus Mission). A mission aimed at exploring Venus' atmosphere and surface.
  • Mangalyaan-2. A proposed second mission to Mars.

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ISRO's Significant Missions

GSAT-11

• GSAT-11, India's advanced high-throughput communication satellite, was successfully launched from French Guiana using an Ariane-5 rocket.
• Weighing 5854 kg, GSAT-11 is ISRO's heaviest satellite to date.
• This satellite plays a vital role in enhancing broadband services and improving connectivity as part of the BharatNet (Digital India Programme).
• With GSAT-11, ISRO has introduced the Ka-band in India for the first time, marking a significant advancement in communication technology.

LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III) & GSAT-19 Mission

• The GSAT-19 satellite, a high-throughput communication satellite weighing 3136 kg and designed using the I-3K bus standard, was launched by the LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III).
• The LVM3 rocket has also been utilized for other significant missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and ISRO’s Gaganyaan test missions.

GSLV Mk III-M1 / Chandrayaan-2 Mission

Chandrayaan-2 was India's second mission to explore the Moon and the first attempt to softly land on its South Pole. This fully homegrown mission was developed by ISRO and included three parts:

• Lunar Orbiter. Continues to operate successfully and transmits data.
• Vikram Lander. Attempted to land but unfortunately failed during the process.
• Pragyan Rover. Could not be deployed because of Vikram's landing failure.

Core Objectives

• Map the location and amount of lunar water
• Examine the Moon's surface features, minerals, and thin atmosphere
• Study ancient lunar rocks and craters to learn about the early solar system

Chandrayaan-2 Mission

• In 2007, the Chandrayaan-2 project was initiated as a collaborative effort between India’s ISRO and Russia’s ROSCOSMOS.
• Initially, Russia was expected to provide the lander for the mission. However, due to delays, India decided to develop the lander independently.
• The mission was launched on 22 July 2019 aboard the GSLV Mk III-M1, which is India’s most powerful launch vehicle.
• If the mission succeeded, India would become the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, joining the ranks of the USSR, the USA, and China.
• The intended landing site was near the Moon’s South Pole, a region that had not been explored before.

Chandrayaan-1: The Genesis of Chandrayaan-2

Launched in 2008, Chandrayaan-1 was India’s inaugural mission to the Moon, aimed at orbiting and observing the lunar surface. This mission made a pivotal discovery of water molecules on the Moon, significantly advancing lunar research. Although planned for a two-year duration, Chandrayaan-1 operated for 312 days, achieving 95% of its objectives before communication was lost.

Major Discoveries from Chandrayaan-1

• Confirmed the existence of lunar water
• Detected hydroxyl molecules, indicating chemical interactions with solar wind
• Identified potential lunar caves formed by ancient lava flows
• Discovered evidence of tectonic activity and faults, suggesting an active geological history for the Moon

The discovery of water molecules was particularly groundbreaking, as it has significant implications for future lunar exploration and the search for life beyond Earth.

Components of Chandrayaan-2 Mission

1. Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk III

• S200 solid rocket booster
• L110 liquid stage
• C25 upper stage

2. Chandrayaan-2 Modules

• Orbiter: The orbiter is still operational and continues to provide valuable data for ongoing research.
• Vikram Lander: The Vikram lander attempted a soft landing on the lunar surface but unfortunately lost contact with mission control during the process.
• Pragyan Rover: The Pragyan rover could not be deployed as planned because the lander’s attempt to land successfully failed.

Mission Objectives

The primary goals of the mission include:

• Verifying and further exploring the presence of water molecules on the Moon, as detected by Chandrayaan-1.
• Investigating the Moon's topography, seismic activity, and surface composition.
• Analyzing the lunar atmosphere and how it interacts with solar radiation.
• Studying the fossil records from the early solar system found at the Moon’s South Pole.
• Creating a detailed 3D map of the lunar surface.

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Importance of Chandrayaan-2

• First Mission to the South Pole: Chandrayaan-2 is the first mission aimed at landing in the South Polar Region of the Moon. This achievement showcases India’s leadership in lunar exploration.
• Potential for Water Ice: The craters at the South Pole are in permanent shadow, which increases the likelihood of discovering water ice. This finding could be crucial for future lunar missions and understanding the Moon’s resources.
• Insights into the Early Solar System: The geological records found in the South Polar region could offer valuable information about the early solar system, helping scientists learn more about its formation and evolution.

Key Highlights of the Mission

• Orbital Insertion: Successfully accomplished on August 20, 2019.
• Lander Mission Duration: Initially planned for 14 days. However, the lander encountered a software glitch during its descent on September 7, 2019, leading to its failure.
• Rover Mission Duration: The rover was also intended to operate for 14 days, but it could not be deployed because of the lander’s failure.
• Orbiter Mission Duration: This was originally planned for one year but has been extended to seven years.

Significant Findings from the Lunar Exploration Mission

This document outlines the key findings and milestones achieved during the lunar exploration mission, emphasizing the advancements made in understanding the Moon's environment and surface.

• September 4, 2019: The mission successfully executed a crucial de-orbiting manoeuvre, marking a significant step in the mission's objectives.
• October 14, 2019:. groundbreaking discovery was made with the detection of Argon-40 in the lunar exosphere, contributing to the knowledge of the Moon's atmospheric composition.
• July 30, 2020: The mission captured a high-resolution image of the Sarabhai Crater, providing valuable data for geological studies and surface analysis.

Chandrayaan-2 and the Geotail Region

The Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) observed charged particles on the Moon's surface while the spacecraft was traversing through the Geotail,. region in space created by Earth's magnetic field.

Understanding the Geotail

• The Sun releases solar wind,. stream of charged particles such as electrons and protons.
• Earth’s magnetic field deflects these particles, forming a protective region known as the magnetosphere.
• This magnetosphere extends into a long tail behind Earth, called the Geotail.
• The Moon orbits Earth roughly every 29 days, passing through the Geotail for about six days each month. This makes it an ideal location for studying the effects of space weather.

GSLV Mk III-M1 / Chandrayaan-3 Mission

• Chandrayaan-3 was India’s third mission to explore the Moon and the first time ISRO successfully aimed for a soft landing.
• The mission was launched on 14 July 2023 with the GSLV Mk III (LVM-3) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and it successfully landed on 23 August 2023, making India the first nation to land near the lunar South Pole.
• Chandrayaan-3 aimed to build on the objectives of Chandrayaan-2 by landing on the lunar South Pole and sending a rover for surface exploration.
• The mission followed the partial success of Chandrayaan-2, making India the fourth country to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon, joining the ranks of the USSR, the USA, and China.
• Demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the Moon
• Deploy and operate a lunar rover for surface mobility
• Conduct in-situ scientific experiments to study the lunar soil and atmosphere
• Study lunar seismic activity, mineral composition, and thermal properties

After the Chandrayaan-2 lander did not succeed in 2019, ISRO worked on improving Chandrayaan-3 with a better lander design, smarter navigation systems, and increased strength. Unlike Chandrayaan-2, which had an orbiter, lander, and rover, Chandrayaan-3 only included a lander and rover since the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter was still functioning and sending back useful data.

1. Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk III (LVM-3)

• L110 liquid core stage
• C25 cryogenic upper stage

2. Chandrayaan-3 Modules

• Vikram Lander. Successfully soft-landed on the Moon
• Pragyan Rover. Deployed from the lander and conducted surface exploration
• Propulsion Module. Carried the lander from Earth’s orbit to the Moon’s orbit and later acted as an experimental orbiter

Mission Objectives and Scientific Goals

• Confirm Chandrayaan-2’s discoveries of lunar water: Validate the findings of Chandrayaan-2 regarding the presence of water on the Moon.
• Analyse lunar soil composition: Examine the lunar soil to identify its composition, focusing on elements such as magnesium, aluminium, silicon, calcium, titanium, iron, and sulphur.
• Measure lunar temperature variations: Investigate the temperature differences on the lunar surface and understand how heat is transferred within the Moon.
• Study seismic activity: Use an onboard seismometer to monitor and study seismic activity on the lunar surface.
• Determine plasma density in lunar regolith: Assess the density of plasma present in the regolith, or surface material, of the Moon.

Importance of Chandrayaan-3

• First Successful Soft Landing: Chandrayaan-3 achieved the first-ever successful soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole.
• India Joins Elite Group: With this mission, India became the fourth country in the world to accomplish a lunar soft landing, joining the ranks of the USSR, the USA, and China.
• Potential Water Discovery: The South Pole region of the Moon is believed to have permanently shadowed areas that may contain frozen water. This discovery is crucial for future lunar exploration, as water is a vital resource.
• Strengthening Global Position: This successful mission enhances India’s position in the field of global space exploration and interplanetary missions, showcasing its capabilities and achievements.
• Future Mission Pathway: Chandrayaan-3 paves the way for future ambitious missions, including Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight program, and other interplanetary exploration initiatives.

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Important Findings and Scientific Progress

1. Composition of the Lunar Surface

• A significant breakthrough was achieved with the first detection of sulfur on the Moon's surface through a direct experiment.
• The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS), part of the Pragyan Rover, validated the presence of various elements in lunar soil, including magnesium, aluminium, silicon, calcium, iron, titanium, and sulfur.

2. Temperature Fluctuations on the Moon

• The ChaSTE (Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment) instrument aboard the Vikram Lander documented temperature variations on the lunar surface.
• These observations revealed extreme temperature differences of up to 70°C within a few centimetres of the surface.

3. Lunar Seismic Activity

• The Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) successfully detected seismic events on the Moon.
• This data is crucial for understanding the Moon's internal structure and potential tectonic activity.

4. Plasma Density Measurements on the Moon

• The Langmuir Probe (LP), also on the Vikram Lander, measured variations in plasma density near the lunar surface.
• This data is essential for comprehending the Moon's interactions with solar radiation.

Lessons and Future Implications

The Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully achieved all its primary objectives, solidifying India’s reputation as a pioneer in cost-effective and efficient lunar exploration. This mission has provided valuable insights for various future endeavors:

• Future Lunar Missions: The data and experience gained from Chandrayaan-3 will inform upcoming missions like Chandrayaan-4 and potential lunar sample return missions.
• Long-term Human Exploration: The findings will aid in planning for sustained human presence on the Moon and future exploration beyond, such as Mars and Venus.
• Interplanetary Missions: The success of Chandrayaan-3 enhances India’s capability for interplanetary missions, including planned explorations of Mars and Venus.

This mission has not only demonstrated ISRO’s competence in executing complex deep-space missions but also strengthened India’s position in international space collaborations.

PSLV-C44

• The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully launched the Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their intended orbits.
• This mission was notable for being the first instance where ISRO utilized the rocket’s final stage as a platform for conducting experiments in space.

PSLV-C46

• The PSLV-C46 successfully launched the RISAT-2B satellite, weighing 615 kg, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• The RISAT-2B is a radar imaging earth observation satellite designed to assist various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, and disaster management.

Gaganyaan Mission

• Gaganyaan is India’s first mission to send humans into space.
• The Indian Human Spaceflight Programme started in 2007 to create the technology for sending crewed spacecraft to low Earth orbit.
• The first crewed flight is planned for the end of 2026 using a GSLV Mk-III rocket.
• Most technologies for crewed space travel have been developed, including tests for Crew Module re-entry and pad abort systems.
• If successful, India will join the US, Russia, and China in independent human spaceflight.
• Training for the crew is provided by Russia.
• Vyom Mitra is a female humanoid robot that will be part of the Gaganyaan mission test flight.
• She is designed to assist astronauts by managing systems, interacting with them, and monitoring the cabin environment.
• Vyom Mitra will help simulate human tasks in space before real astronauts are sent, with the first test planned for August 2022.
• The robot was created by ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit in Thiruvananthapuram.

Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL)

• ISRO and NASA are collaborating to study the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL), which poses challenges to weather and climate understanding.
• A high-altitude aerosol layer (~16 km) detected during the South Asian monsoon by CALIPSO satellite has raised questions about its composition and formation, impacting climate and weather patterns.
• To investigate this layer, ISRO and NASA are conducting balloon-borne experiments and ground-based observations through the BATAL project.

ASTROSAT

• India’s first mission dedicated to astronomy, ASTROSAT, aims to observe celestial sources in X-ray, optical, and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
• The mission covers energy bands from Ultraviolet (Near and Far), limited optical, and X-ray regimes (0.3 keV to 100 keV).
• ASTROSAT can conduct simultaneous multiwavelength observations of various astronomical objects, making it unique.
• Weighing 1515 kg, ASTROSAT was launched on September 28, 2015, into a 650 km orbit inclined at 6 degrees to the equator by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
• The mission is expected to last a minimum of 5 years and is considered a smaller version of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
• ASTROSAT has 5 payloads, including:
• Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)
• Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC)
• Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT)
• Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI)
• Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM)

Aditya-L1: India’s First Solar Mission

Aditya-L1 marks India’s first dedicated solar observatory mission, launched by ISRO on September 2, 2023, using the PSLV-C57 rocket. The observatory is situated in a halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This strategic location allows for continuous observation of the Sun without interruptions from eclipses.

Key Research Areas

• Investigate the solar corona, focusing on how it is heated and its dynamic movements.
• Monitor coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their impacts on space weather.
• Study solar flares and their effects on Earth’s magnetic field.
• Examine the properties of solar wind and its influence on Earth’s atmosphere.

Payloads and Functions

1. VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph). Captures images of the Sun’s corona and CMEs.
2. SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope). Takes ultraviolet images of the Sun’s surface to study radiation effects.
3. SoLEXS (Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer) & HEL1OS (High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer). Detect and analyze solar flares in X-ray wavelengths.
4. ASPEX (Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment) & PAPA (Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya). Measure the composition and behavior of the solar wind.
5. Magnetometer. Measures interplanetary magnetic fields to understand Sun-Earth interactions.

Mission Significance

• First Indian space mission focused on studying the Sun.
• Enables real-time monitoring of solar activities, crucial for protecting satellites and forecasting space weather.
• Complements international missions like NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and ESA’s Solar Orbiter by providing unique long-term observations from the L1 point.

NISAR Mission

• NISAR, a joint mission by NASA and ISRO, aims to develop a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar for Earth observation.
• Scheduled for launch in March 2025, NISAR will monitor and assess global changes in ecosystems and land masses.

Key Features of NISAR

• The satellite will use both L-band and S-band radar frequencies to map Earth every 12 days from two angles.
• The L-band radar is developed by NASA, while ISRO is creating the S-band radar.
• The satellite is expected to launch from India, likely from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh.
• The mission aims to measure various changes in land surfaces, including:
  • Ecosystem imbalances
  • Natural hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis
  • Ice sheet collapses
  • Agricultural and forest biomass
  • Soil moisture levels
• NISAR is anticipated to pave the way for future collaborative projects between NASA and ISRO.

Shukrayaan-1

• Proposed by ISRO to study Venus for over four years.
• Scientific objectives. Investigate surface processes, solar wind interactions, and atmosphere dynamics.
• Scheduled to launch on a GSLV Mk II rocket with an initial orbit of 500 x 60,000 km around Venus.

Understanding Venus

• Venus, similar in size and density to Earth, is often called Earth’s “twin sister” because they likely formed from the same material about 4.5 billion years ago.
• Being 30 percent closer to the Sun, Venus experiences much higher solar radiation, contributing to its harsh conditions.

XPoSat

• X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is a space observatory launched on January 1, 2024, to study the polarization of cosmic X-rays. It is expected to function for a minimum of five years.
• Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Raman Research Institute, XPoSat will use the POLIX instrument to measure the degree and angle of polarization of bright X-ray sources in the 5-30 keV energy range.
• The satellite will be positioned in a circular orbit at an altitude of 500-700 km.
• It aims to investigate neutron stars, supernova remnants, pulsars, and regions surrounding black holes.

Cartosat-3

• ISRO has successfully launched Cartosat-3 along with 13 commercial nanosatellites into a Sun Synchronous orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.
• Cartosat-3 is an earth-observation satellite designed to replace the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series. Since 2005, ISRO has placed 8 Cartosats into orbit.
• Remote sensing is the practice of gathering information about objects or regions from a distance, usually using aircraft or satellites.
• The 13 commercial nanosatellites are from the USA, representing the first commercial order for New Space India Limited, ISRO's commercial branch established in March 2019.
• Cartosat-3 is a third-generation advanced earth observation satellite launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47.
• It boasts the 'sharpest eye' among civil remote sensing satellites worldwide.
• One of Cartosat-3’s cameras offers a ground resolution of 25 cm, enabling it to detect objects as small as 25 cm from an altitude of approximately 500 km.
• Currently, the best ground resolution is held by a satellite owned by a US private company, WorldView-3, which has a resolution of 31 cm.
• Inclination: The satellite is positioned at an inclination of 97.5 degrees to the Earth's equator.
• It incorporates several advanced technologies, including a highly agile camera, high-speed data transmission capabilities, and an advanced computer system.

Applications

• Data from most Cartosat satellites are primarily used by the armed forces.
• However, a policy allows only government and government-authorised agencies to access ISRO’s high-resolution images when the resolution is below 1 metre. Cartosat-3’s optical imaging will also assist in accurate mapping and cartographic activities.
• The imagery is utilised for urban and rural infrastructure planning, coastal land use and regulation, utility management (such as monitoring road networks and water distribution), land use mapping, and disaster management.

Cartosat Satellites

• The Cartosat satellites are used for earth observation, primarily for large-scale mapping of the Earth using high-resolution cameras.
• They also help in detecting changes in natural geographical or man-made features, as their cameras can 'look back and forth’ at angles to create continuous images.
• Other earth observation satellites include the Resourcesat and RISAT series, and the Oceansat series.
• The Resourcesat and RISAT satellites provide necessary images and data for land and water resource applications.
• The Oceansat series and the SARAL satellite produce data related to the oceans.
• Satellites like INSAT 3D, INSAT-VRR, and Megha Tropiques monitor the atmosphere.

NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)

• Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is an independent regional navigation satellite system that provides position information in the Indian region and up to 1500 km around the Indian mainland.
• Developed in India by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and its commercial arm, ANTRIX, NavIC offers Standard Positioning Services for all users and Restricted Services for authorized users.
• As of January 29, 2025, the NavIC constellation consists of 8 satellites, including three in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and five in inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO).
• NavIC aims to provide navigation, timing, and reliable positioning services in and around India, operating similarly to the Global Positioning System (GPS) developed by the United States.
• NavIC has been certified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), enabling its integration into global mobile telephony standards.

Applications of NavIC

• Terrestrial, aerial, and marine navigation
• Disaster management
• Vehicle tracking and fleet management
• Integration with mobile phones
• Precise timing
• Mapping and geodetic data capture
• Navigation aid for hikers and travellers
• Visual and voice navigation for drivers

GSAT-30

• ISRO has successfully launched the telecommunication satellite GSAT-30 into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from the Kourou launch base in French Guiana, using the European Ariane-5 VA-251.
• The GSAT-30 satellite will take the place of INSAT-4A, which was launched in 2005.
• Alongside GSAT-30, a European communication satellite named EUTELSAT KONNECT was also launched.
• Weight: The GSAT-30 weighs 3,357 kg and will be gradually moved into an orbit 36,000 km from the Earth.
• It was launched using a foreign rocket because it is heavier than the lifting capacity of its geostationary launch vehicle GSLV-MkII, which can lift 2,500 kg.
• Although the GSLV-MkIII can lift up to 4,000 kg, ISRO plans to mainly use these for its first human space flight, Gaganyaan, set for 2022.

Use

• It will offer DTH (direct-to-home) television services, connectivity to VSATs (which support the operation of bank ATMs), stock exchanges, television uplinking, teleport services, digital satellite news gathering, and e-governance applications.
• The satellite will also aid in bulk data transfer for various new telecommunication applications.

Coverage

• The satellite provides coverage for the Indian mainland and islands in Ku-band and extended coverage in C-band, reaching Gulf countries, many Asian countries, and Australia.
• The Ku and C bands are part of a range of frequencies, from 1 to 40 gigahertz, used in satellite communications.

What is Arianespace? It is the world’s first commercial launch service provider, and since the launch of India’s APPLE experimental satellite on Ariane Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace has orbited 24 satellites, including GSAT-30, for the Indian space agency.

GEMINI

• The Union Minister of Earth Sciences has recently launched the Gagan Enabled Mariner’s Instrument for Navigation and Information. GEMINI. device.
• This device is designed to effectively share emergency information and communication regarding Ocean States Forecast and mapping of Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) with fishermen.
• Ocean States Forecast offers an accurate overview of ocean conditions, including forecasts for winds, waves, ocean currents, and water temperature.
• PFZ provides details about likely locations where fish gather in the seas for fishermen.
• The device will help provide disaster warnings when fishermen go beyond 10 to 12 kilometres from the coast.
• The GEMINI device receives and sends data from GAGAN satellites to a mobile phone via Bluetooth. A mobile application created by INCOIS decodes and displays the information in nine regional languages.
• It was developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services ( INCOIS. and the Airports Authority of India ( AAI ).
• It has been electronically designed and manufactured by the private company M/S Acord in Bangalore, as part of the Make in India initiative.
• INCOIS, in partnership with AAI, used the GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) satellite for developing the GEMINI device.
• GAGAN was created by the Indian Space Research Organization ( ISRO. and the Airports Authority of India. It is India’s first satellite-based global positioning system based on ISRO’s GSAT satellites.
• A limitation of this device is its one-way communication ability; it cannot be used by fishermen for making calls.
• Additionally, it is somewhat expensive for the average fisherman, priced at ₹9,000 per device. Efforts are being made to subsidise it by as much as 90%.

UNISPACE Nanosatellite Assembly & Training (UNNATI) program

• ISRO has launched a capacity-building programme on Nanosatellite development called UNNATI.
• This initiative commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space ( UNISPACE+50 ).
• It aims to give participating developing countries the chance to improve their skills in assembling, integrating, and testing Nanosatellites.

Space Technology Cells (STCs)

• ISRO has established 5 Space Technology Cells ( STCs. at various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) – Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, and Madras; Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; and a Joint Research Programme with Savitribai Phule Pune University ( SPPU, Pune) to conduct research in space technology and its applications.
• IIT Delhi is also set to establish an STC in collaboration with ISRO.
• ISRO aims to develop advanced technology in partnership with IITs in the fields of Space Science, Space Technology, and Space Applications. ISRO will fund the selected projects.

Indian Neutrino Project

• The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) Project is a collaborative effort involving various institutions. The goal is to create a state-of-the-art underground laboratory with around 1200 meters of rock cover. This facility will be dedicated to high-energy and nuclear physics research in India, with a primary focus on in-depth studies of neutrinos.
• This large-scale scientific endeavor is jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

• The construction of an underground laboratory and associated surface facilities at Pottipuram in the Bodi West hills of Theni District, Tamil Nadu.
• The development of an Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) detector specifically designed for neutrino studies.
• The establishment of the National Centre for High Energy Physics in Madurai. This centre will oversee the operation and maintenance of the underground laboratory, focus on human resource development, and engage in research and development of detectors and their applications.