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Tag: A S Kiran Kumar

  • ISRO’s ‘South Asia Satellite’ to carry 12 ku-band transponders

    MUMBAI: India has planned to launch the ‘South Asia Satellite’ on 5 May which will benefit all the neighbouring countries, except Pakistan, which is not a part of the project. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman A S Kiran Kumar told PTI that the launch would take place in the first week of May.

    ISRO scripted history in February 2017 by launching 104 satellites, including India’s weather observation Cartosat-2 Series, in a single mission onboard its dependable Polar rocket. So far, ISRO has launched 226 satellites, including 179 belonging to foreign countries.

    ISRO sources said that the launch of this communication satellite (GSAT-9) has been scheduled on board the space agency’s rocket GSLV-09 from Sriharikota spaceport. Kumar said, the satellite, with a lift-off mass of 2,195 kg, would carry 12 ku-band transponders. Sources said the satellite has been designed for a mission life of more than 12 years.

    The satellite is meant for providing communication and disaster support, connectivity among states (countries of South Asia region). It will provide a significant capability to each of these participating states in terms of DTH, certain VSAT capacity plus linking among the states for both disaster information transfer and also in terms of library type of things.

    “So, there is a significant amount of inter-linking possible among the states (countries),” Kumar added. According to ISRO officials, there is a potential for each participating country to use a dedicated transponder with a capacity of 36 to 54 Mhz for its own internal use. Each country would be responsible for content generation and its use, the officials said.

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    ISRO world record in 104-satellite launches on a single flight    

     

  • ISRO world record in 104-satellite launches on a single flight

    MUMBAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set a world record by launching 104 satellites on a single rocket, including India’s earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 series.

    The Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C37) was lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the highest number of satellites ever launched in a single mission. This is the thirty eighth consecutively successful mission of PSLV. The total weight of all the 104 satellites carried on-board PSLV-C37 was 1378 kg.

    Earlier, the Russian Space Agency had launched 37 satellites in one go. ISRO had earlier launched 23 satellites in a single mission in June 2015.

    ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar announced, “All 104 satellites successfully placed in orbit. My hearty congratulations to the entire ISRO team for the wonderful job they have done.”

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated ISRO on successful launch of PSLV-C37 and CARTOSAT satellite together with 103 nano satellites.

    Modi said, “Congratulations to ISRO for the successful launch. This remarkable feat by ISRO is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists.” India’s President Pranab Mukherjee also congratulated ISRO on carrying a record 104 satellites.

    In a message to ISRO chairman and department of space secretary A.S. Kiran Kumar, the President has said, “I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and your team at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the successful launch into space of PSLV – C37, carrying a record 104 satellites.”

    Of the 103 co-passenger satellites carried by PSLV-C37, two – ISRO Nano Satellite-1 (INS-1) weighing 8.4 kg and INS-2 weighing 9.7 kg – are technology demonstration satellites from India.

    The remaining 101 co-passenger satellites carried were international customer satellites from USA (96), The Netherlands (1), Switzerland (1), Israel (1), Kazakhstan (1) and UAE (1).

    With today’s successful launch, the total number of customer satellites from abroad launched by India’s workhorse launch vehicle PSLV has reached 180.

  • ISRO stresses on indigenization; TRAI for Open Sky policy

    ISRO stresses on indigenization; TRAI for Open Sky policy

    NEW DELHI: Even as he advocated an Open Sky Policy for satellites usage, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman R S Sharma said an early formulation of a satellite communication (satcom) policy was desirable if the goals of Digital India have to be achieved.

    On the other hand, Indian Space & Research Organisation (ISRO) agreed satellite services were crucial to the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of Digital India, but laid stress on indigenisation to become “self-reliant” over the next few years.

    Speaking at the ‘2nd International Summit ‘India Satcom – 2016’ on the theme of Broadband for all using NextGen Satellite Technologies, TRAI’s Sharma said connectivity was vital for a digital India and satellite can help in increase this connectivity.

    That was why, he said, TRAI is in favour of an Open Sky policy and had earlier too recommended on these lines in a report to the government.

    Sharma admitted that the internet connectivity in India was barely 15 per cent, though wireless connectivity was growing at a fast pace through smart-phones. There were only 20 million phones in the country but almost the entire country was connected through mobile phones, he said.

    Suggesting use of cable and digital television systems to enable delivery of broadband, the TRAI chairman admitted that certain “policy constraints have to be crossed.”

    He said if this is not done soon, then Digital India will not move forward much.

    Referring to Ka Band on satellites, Sharma said TRAI had issued a paper in this connection in April last year.  

    While Sharma pushed for a more liberalised satcom policy to realise the dream of Digital India faster, ISRO stressed on indigenisation for self-reliance without directly dwelling on an Open Sky policy.

    In a message read out in absentia, ISRO chairman and secretary in the Department of Space A S Kiran Kumar said there was need to hold full-fledged discussions on satellite services’ contribution to Digital India and also on formulation of a satcom policy.

    He stressed that ISRO was committed to an indigenous satellite system and added more (Indian) satellites were expected to be launched over the next few years to make the country self-dependent.

    ISRO has been criticised in the past on stifling the growth of Indian users of satellite services (like DTH and VSAT operators to name a few) owing to its inability to meet the demand with supply on INSAT, while mandating time-consuming processes for Indian customers to lease capacity on foreign satellites.

    Hong Kong-based Asian industry organisation CASBAA in a recent report had highlighted how stifling satellite policies were hampering a faster rollout of a digital India.

    Titled Capacity crunch continues: Assessment of satellite transponders’ capacity for the Indian broadcast and broadband market and released in March 2016, the CASBAA-PwC report had questioned the role of ISRO and Antrix (ISRO’s commercial arm) as a satellite operator, a research institute and an independent commercial entity.

    “The roles of a policymaker and enforcer should be assigned to independent entities,” The CASBAA-PwC report stated, indicating ISRO/Antrix present roles lead to conflict of interests.

  • ISRO stresses on indigenization; TRAI for Open Sky policy

    ISRO stresses on indigenization; TRAI for Open Sky policy

    NEW DELHI: Even as he advocated an Open Sky Policy for satellites usage, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman R S Sharma said an early formulation of a satellite communication (satcom) policy was desirable if the goals of Digital India have to be achieved.

    On the other hand, Indian Space & Research Organisation (ISRO) agreed satellite services were crucial to the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of Digital India, but laid stress on indigenisation to become “self-reliant” over the next few years.

    Speaking at the ‘2nd International Summit ‘India Satcom – 2016’ on the theme of Broadband for all using NextGen Satellite Technologies, TRAI’s Sharma said connectivity was vital for a digital India and satellite can help in increase this connectivity.

    That was why, he said, TRAI is in favour of an Open Sky policy and had earlier too recommended on these lines in a report to the government.

    Sharma admitted that the internet connectivity in India was barely 15 per cent, though wireless connectivity was growing at a fast pace through smart-phones. There were only 20 million phones in the country but almost the entire country was connected through mobile phones, he said.

    Suggesting use of cable and digital television systems to enable delivery of broadband, the TRAI chairman admitted that certain “policy constraints have to be crossed.”

    He said if this is not done soon, then Digital India will not move forward much.

    Referring to Ka Band on satellites, Sharma said TRAI had issued a paper in this connection in April last year.  

    While Sharma pushed for a more liberalised satcom policy to realise the dream of Digital India faster, ISRO stressed on indigenisation for self-reliance without directly dwelling on an Open Sky policy.

    In a message read out in absentia, ISRO chairman and secretary in the Department of Space A S Kiran Kumar said there was need to hold full-fledged discussions on satellite services’ contribution to Digital India and also on formulation of a satcom policy.

    He stressed that ISRO was committed to an indigenous satellite system and added more (Indian) satellites were expected to be launched over the next few years to make the country self-dependent.

    ISRO has been criticised in the past on stifling the growth of Indian users of satellite services (like DTH and VSAT operators to name a few) owing to its inability to meet the demand with supply on INSAT, while mandating time-consuming processes for Indian customers to lease capacity on foreign satellites.

    Hong Kong-based Asian industry organisation CASBAA in a recent report had highlighted how stifling satellite policies were hampering a faster rollout of a digital India.

    Titled Capacity crunch continues: Assessment of satellite transponders’ capacity for the Indian broadcast and broadband market and released in March 2016, the CASBAA-PwC report had questioned the role of ISRO and Antrix (ISRO’s commercial arm) as a satellite operator, a research institute and an independent commercial entity.

    “The roles of a policymaker and enforcer should be assigned to independent entities,” The CASBAA-PwC report stated, indicating ISRO/Antrix present roles lead to conflict of interests.

  • ISRO unites sixty space agencies to work on climate change

    ISRO unites sixty space agencies to work on climate change

    NEW DELHI: Space agencies of more than 60 countries have agreed to engage their satellites to coordinate their methods and their data to monitor human-induced greenhouse gas emissions following an initiative by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French Space Agency (CNES). 

    The COP21 Climate Conference held in Paris last December acted as a wake-up call in this context. Without satellites, the reality of global warming would not have been recognised and the subsequent historic agreement at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 22 April 2016 would not have been signed. Out of the 50 essential climate variables being monitored today, 26 – including rising sea levels, sea ice extent and greenhouse gas concentrations in all layers of the atmosphere – can be measured only from space. 

    The key to effectively implementing the Paris Agreement lies in the ability to verify that nations are fulfilling their commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Only satellites can do that.

    Invited to New Delhi by ISRO and CNES on 3 April 2016, the world’s space agencies decided to establish ‘an independent, international system’ to centralise data from their Earth-observing satellites through the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ that officially came into effect on 16 May 2016. 

    The goal now will be to inter-calibrate these satellite data so that they can be combined and compared over time. In other words, it is to make the transition to closely coordinated and easily accessible ‘big space data’. 

    “It is overwhelming to see the unilateral support of all space agencies to use space inputs for monitoring climate change,” said ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar. “Earth observation satellites provide a vital means of obtaining measurements of the climate system from a global perspective. ISRO is committed for the continuity of earth observation data, through the thematic series of satellites, with improvements en-route, to meet contemporary as well as future needs. ISRO is also engaging with CNES, JAXA and NASA for realising joint missions for global climate observation with advanced instruments.” 

    “This is a historic event that reaches far beyond the space sector and is a perfect example of the kind of success that can only be achieved through international cooperation” said CNES president Jean-Yves Le Gall. “With this consensus among space agencies from more than 60 nations, including the world’s leading space powers, the international space community and scientists now have the tools they need to put their talent, intelligence and optimism to work for the good of humankind and our planet.” 

  • ISRO unites sixty space agencies to work on climate change

    ISRO unites sixty space agencies to work on climate change

    NEW DELHI: Space agencies of more than 60 countries have agreed to engage their satellites to coordinate their methods and their data to monitor human-induced greenhouse gas emissions following an initiative by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French Space Agency (CNES). 

    The COP21 Climate Conference held in Paris last December acted as a wake-up call in this context. Without satellites, the reality of global warming would not have been recognised and the subsequent historic agreement at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 22 April 2016 would not have been signed. Out of the 50 essential climate variables being monitored today, 26 – including rising sea levels, sea ice extent and greenhouse gas concentrations in all layers of the atmosphere – can be measured only from space. 

    The key to effectively implementing the Paris Agreement lies in the ability to verify that nations are fulfilling their commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Only satellites can do that.

    Invited to New Delhi by ISRO and CNES on 3 April 2016, the world’s space agencies decided to establish ‘an independent, international system’ to centralise data from their Earth-observing satellites through the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ that officially came into effect on 16 May 2016. 

    The goal now will be to inter-calibrate these satellite data so that they can be combined and compared over time. In other words, it is to make the transition to closely coordinated and easily accessible ‘big space data’. 

    “It is overwhelming to see the unilateral support of all space agencies to use space inputs for monitoring climate change,” said ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar. “Earth observation satellites provide a vital means of obtaining measurements of the climate system from a global perspective. ISRO is committed for the continuity of earth observation data, through the thematic series of satellites, with improvements en-route, to meet contemporary as well as future needs. ISRO is also engaging with CNES, JAXA and NASA for realising joint missions for global climate observation with advanced instruments.” 

    “This is a historic event that reaches far beyond the space sector and is a perfect example of the kind of success that can only be achieved through international cooperation” said CNES president Jean-Yves Le Gall. “With this consensus among space agencies from more than 60 nations, including the world’s leading space powers, the international space community and scientists now have the tools they need to put their talent, intelligence and optimism to work for the good of humankind and our planet.” 

  • Nat Geo partners ISRO to showcase Mangalyaan: India’s Mission to Mars

    Nat Geo partners ISRO to showcase Mangalyaan: India’s Mission to Mars

    MUMBAI: With a view to increase its focus original productions in India, National Geographic Channel has partnered with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to celebrate the successful space mission to Mars – Mangalyaan or Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).

     

    The channel will premiere an exclusive one-hour special documentary on India’s first interplanetary mission – Mangalyaan: India’s Mission to Mars on 5 November at 10 pm, which also happens to the date when the mission was launched two years back. Mangalyaan entered the Martian orbit on 24 September, 2014.

     

    Nat Geo will capture Mangalyaan’s journey of over 650 million km through live action visuals, graphic representations and expert interviews. The documentary will feature all the excitement, last minute preparations, the countdown and the successful launch of the mission.

     

    Commenting on the success of Mangalyaan, ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar said, “It was a proud moment for our team, and in fact for the entire country, when Mangalyaan successfully entered the Martian orbit. We are glad that a brand like National Geographic Channel has partnered us in showcasing not only this historic journey, but also the science and technology behind it. This documentary will give viewers an exquisite glimpse into the Mangalyaan journey, the salient features of the mission, and the major milestones accomplished by the team behind it.”

     

    Fox International Channels (India) business head Swati Mohan added, “Nat Geo is pleased to be associated with ISRO in showcasing the success of Mars Orbiter Mission. Nat Geo has been a pioneer in showcasing landmark events and ‘Mangalyaan: India’s Mission to Mars’ is another breakthrough production that underlines our focus on original productions in India. To showcase the scale of this mission, our special episode will feature the subject experts who will not only explain the nuances behind this delicate technology, but also demonstrate the subtle nature of this inter planetary mission.”