ITV

Tag: satellite TV

  • Tata Power Renewable Energy partners with Rajasthan discoms to boost solar adoption

    Tata Power Renewable Energy partners with Rajasthan discoms to boost solar adoption

    MUMBAI: This one should be of interest to the television broadcasters, telecom companies, DTH players, and cable TV MSOs and operators.  A bane of most of these has been the sudden power breakdowns in the tier two and tier three towns. With the installation of rooftop solar power cells, the power tripping would be a thing of the past. 

    Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rajasthan’s discoms — Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (JVVNL), Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd(AVVNL), and Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd  (JDVVNL). The collaboration aims to accelerate renewable energy adoption across the state, with a focus on promoting the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG:MBY) in residential sectors.

    The agreement was formalised in the presence of Alok, additional chief secretary (energy); Arti Dogra, chairperson of the discoms; and senior officials from TPREL, including Deepesh Nanda, chief executive officer &  managing director, and Shivram Bikkina, chief of solar rooftop & EV charging.

    The initiative will prioritise rooftop solar installations in cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Bikaner, with plans for statewide expansion. Joint campaigns will promote solar adoption, providing households with affordable clean energy. The partnership also offers exclusive pricing and vendor training to ensure efficient installations.

    Speaking on the collaboration, Arti Dogra said, “This partnership marks a significant step towards positioning Rajasthan as a leader in solar energy adoption. By advancing initiatives like PMSG:MBY, we aim to provide clean, affordable energy access and bolster the state’s renewable energy infrastructure.”

    Deepesh Nanda added, “Our partnership with Rajasthan discoms reflects our commitment to shaping a sustainable energy future. Leveraging TPREL’s extensive experience, we aim to expedite solar adoption and support Rajasthan’s renewable energy transition.”

    As part of the Tata Group, Tata Power holds a diverse 15.5 GW portfolio, with 43% dedicated to clean energy. The company remains committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and continues to play a leading role in India’s clean energy transformation.

  • Global pay TV to add subscribers but lose $25 billion revenue in six years: Research

    Global pay TV to add subscribers but lose $25 billion revenue in six years: Research

    MUMBAI: Digital TV Research forecasts 19 million more pay TV subscribers across 138 countries between 2021 and 2027, but revenues will decline by $25 billion over the same period.

    Digital TV Research principal analyst Simon Murray said, “Between 2021 and 2027, 86 countries will add pay TV subs and 52 countries will lose subscribers. Most of the countries gaining pay TV subscribers are developing nations, with a low average rate per user (ARPUs). The US will be the biggest loser – down by 12 million subscribers.”

    IPTV will add 79 million subscribers globally between 2021 and 2027 to take its total to 439 million. Satellite TV will lose 10 million subscribers between 2021 and 2027.

    Revenues will decline in 70 of the 138 countries between 2021 and 2027. The US will fall by $19 billion. Global satellite TV revenues will drop by $14 billion, with digital cable down by $10 billion. Analogue cable will lose $1 billion. IPTV will grow slightly.

  • Global pay TV subscription market decline hits $228.5 billion in 2021: MPA report

    Global pay TV subscription market decline hits $228.5 billion in 2021: MPA report

    Mumbai: The pay TV subscription market excluding online video subscription hit $228.5 billion globally in 2021, according to Motion Pictures Association (MPA) Theme Report. This is a decline from 2020 when the pay TV subscription market was at $233.1 billion. Cable remained the largest subscription market in terms of revenue. Online video subscription became the second-largest subscription revenue market in 2021, surpassing satellite TV, as a result of a $17.9 billion or 26 per cent increase, the report stated.

    The global total of online video subscriptions (1.3), such as Netflix or Disney+ increased by 14 per cent or 164.1 million when comparing 2021 to 2020, found the report. This was less than the number of online video subscriptions added in 2020 which was 232.1 million. The number of cable subscriptions decreased by one percent in 2021 to 526.5 million.

    The global box office market was $21.3 billion in 2021 up by 81 per cent compared to 2020 due to theatre re-openings following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns but remained well below pre-pandemic levels. The international box office market, excluding the US and Canada, stood at $16.8 billion, increased by 76 per cent and accounted for 79 per cent of the global market.

    The home/mobile entertainment market which includes content released digitally and on discs reached $78.5 billion globally, an increase of 14 per cent compared to 2020. The digital market was the driver of growth, according to the report.

    When pay television subscription is added to the total combined global theatrical and home/mobile entertainment market, the value increases to $328.2 billion, a six percent increase compared to 2020, matching 2019’s record high.

    Pay television subscription accounted for 70 percent of the total combined theatrical, home/mobile entertainment, and pay TV market, with the digital market (22 per cent), theatrical market (six per cent), and the physical market (two per cent) making up the rest.

  • How Netflix is Killing Traditional TV

    How Netflix is Killing Traditional TV

    Because of the birth of Netflix, the future of television looks unpromising. The ratings of some TV shows have dropped since viewers are now able to watch their favorite shows via online streaming. That makes the future bleak for traditional TV. It’s the biggest problem? Netflix. It is the streaming goliath’s attack on the traditional programming competition. It is Netflix’s newly made-up method of distribution that has people and the TV industry unsure of its future. The distribution model of Netflix is that it puts an entire season’s episodes together and uploads it in bulk. That is because Netflix believes that it is a level-up in making the ideal experience for viewers. But then again, it may possibly mess up the structure and foundation of traditional TV beyond repair, and unintentionally take along itself down with traditional TV.

    People have been doing movie marathons and spending many hours in front of a television for decades. In fact, watching television shows have been the most famous past time of almost everyone. And now, along with that, cable TV providers boom and grow well by airing marathon episodes of hit TV shows from a certain genre. In addition, purchasing DVD copies of TV shows lets fans take pleasure in watching without TV commercials. In this day and age, watchers have more freedom. They no longer have to settle for what is being shown on traditional television. Now they have the power over what to watch and when to watch.

    Let’s look closely. What’s with Netflix? This new center of entertainment features and shows off catalogues of a lot of movies and TV shows. Every season – past and present – is made available with just the click of a mouse. Currently, Netflix covers one-third of all the streaming bandwidth the Internet can give. That only shows that watchers are really fascinated by it. Netflix can be likened to permissive and tolerant parents who let their children indulge. This can be a result of the “instant culture,” where people always expect instant results and instant satisfaction – instant food, instant messaging, instant streaming, instant everything!

    Without a doubt, the emergence of streaming, along with how it has drastically redesigned the distribution and transfer of content to watchers, often appears to ask this question – is Netflix killing traditional TV?

    Through Netflix, a tumultuous change in traditional TV triggered off. But then again, there are still individuals who prefer traditional TV watching. So if you’re one of those people, you can check out this article about the best options for satellite TV.
     

  • Bengali film Posto to premiere on Hoichoi before satellite TV

    Bengali film Posto to premiere on Hoichoi before satellite TV

    NEW DELHI: Digital Bengali entertainment content platform Hoichoi has acquired exclusive digital rights of this year’s most successful Bengali feature film Posto, ensuring it a world digital premiere today before a satellite TV premiere.

    This will provide Bengali moviemakers a robust additional pipeline of movie-loving Bengali diaspora across the world, who have so far been deprived of many movies in the language because most have a weak or no international theatrical release.

    Hoichoi has already created a huge buzz in the Bengali entertainment industry with the launch of a slew of engaging original web series and shorts, and the acquisition of the Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Nandita Roy directorial venture, Posto, is set to further disrupt the industry.

    SVF & Hoichoi co-founder Mahendra Soni said, “What adds to our delight is that it is with this, the most successful film of 2017 so far, that Hoichoi will not only delight the Bengali diaspora across the world but will also help the Bengali film industry to overcome the challenges and limitations of international theatrical releases and take their forthcoming movies to a massive global audience of movie lovers worldwide.”

    Posto, which grossed more than Rs 50 million within four weeks of its release, received critical acclaim from the film fraternity. Portrayed by Arghya Basu Roy, Posto is a little boy raised by his grandparents (Soumitra Chatterjee and Lily Chakraboty) in Shantiniketan, a small town in Birbhum district, West Bengal. Posto’s parents (Jisshu Sengupta and Mimi Chakraborty) who are settled 200 km away in Kolkata, visit their son only on weekends.

    Trouble ensues when Posto’s father gets a new job offer outside India and plans to take Posto along with him. The boy’s grandparents are against the decision and the argument finally drags the kid into the courtroom.

    The film’s director, Shiboprosad Mukherjee, said, “It gives me great pleasure to announce that Posto will be exclusively available on Hoichoi, which has become the one-stop destination for people looking for great Bengali entertainment content. Any director would want his creation to be seen and liked by as many people as possible and Hoichoi will enable my film Posto to do just that!”

    Hoichoi showcases exclusive original shows every month and more than 500 Bengali movies. Founded in 2017, it is SVF New Media’s maiden venture. Hoichoi is headed by co-founder Vishnu Mohta, who is also SVF’s executive director.

  • Prog & Advt Code violation: 30 channels faced action in 2015 & 2016

    NEW DELHI: Action was taken in 33 cases involving around 30 television channels during 2015 and 2016 for violation of the Programme and Advertising Codes of the Government.

    These include cases of seventeen violations in 2015 and 16 in 2016, the information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the Parliament today.

    While most of these resulted in warnings or advisories along with apology scrolls to the channels, some channels were forced to stop transmission for fixed periods.

    In addition, the Government issued 15 general advisories to the television channels on various issues which included coverage of anti-terrorist operations, facilitating the differently-abled viewers, sports, communal riots, victims of violence such as rape, misleading advertisements, superstitions, and so on.

    Seven of these advisories were issued to news channels.

    He said that according to existing regulatory framework, private satellite TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 framed thereunder which contain a gamut of criteria to be followed while carrying programmes and advertisement in such TV channels.

  • Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    MUMBAI: Imagine Communications, empowering the media and entertainment industry through transformative innovation, today introduced a high-density adaptive bitrate (ABR) transcoding product built on Selenio One™, the company’s software-defined linear transcoding platform. Selenio One is designed to deliver new levels of performance, flexibility and cost efficiency to broadcasters, network operators and video service providers (VSPs). The latest addition to the Selenio One family, which will be previewed at IBC2016, is purpose built to enable media companies to generate new revenue and maximise the efficiency of their networks by expanding the number of high video quality ABR and linear channels they can deliver over existing infrastructures.

    Today’s VSPs, including cable operators, telecommunications companies and satellite TV providers, are struggling to cost-effectively keep pace with requirements to deliver high-quality video to an increasing diversity of Internet-connected devices. By leveraging state-of-the-art standard computing resources powered by high-performance transcoding software from Imagine Communications, the newest product in the Selenio One family provides VSPs with the ability to expand the channel-carrying capacity of their video delivery networks on demand while enabling service providers to reduce costs by moving all compression operations to a common, software-based platform.

    “The high-density transcoding instantiation of Selenio One was designed to relieve a particularly acute pain point for today’s content distributors, who have been steadily increasing the cost and complexity of their networks to accommodate shifting video consumption patterns,” said Brick Eksten, Chief Product Officer, Imagine Communications. “Selenio One redefines the operational environment for transcoding, offering cloud-like control of mixed services with the ability to define and redefine those services on the fly. Combining centralised control with dynamic service provisioning allows the operator to be more fluid in operations while providing the ability to create new services on demand.”

    This new addition to the Selenio One platform supports HEVC/H.265 and AVC/H.264 encoding in both ABR and linear transcoding formats at extremely high densities, enabling VSPs and other media companies to realise significant space and power savings. The first release of the product is capable of supporting up to 180 HD ABR or 360 HD linear channels per 4-RU server, establishing new cost-per-channel benchmarks for high quality video transcoding. Source formats supported in the first release are MPEG-2 or H.264 and HEVC/H.265 or H.264 on the output.

    Well suited for high-density terrestrial, satellite and primary distribution transcoding with ABR transcoding for over-the-top (OTT) multiscreen applications, the latest product in the Selenio One family provides a single system for any VSP looking to launch more channels, move from MPEG-2 to H.264, add HEVC/H.265, or address a multiservice lineup with linear transcode and OTT/ABR delivery.

    Imagine Communications introduced the Selenio One platform earlier this year at the 2016 NAB Show. The initial product release focused on high video quality H.264/MPEG-2 transcoding using PCIe video acceleration with integrated software multiplexing and processing. Selenio One’s software-based architecture enables service providers to customise the functionality of the platform through the selection of video processing engines. This approach ensures consistency across all compression operations through a common architecture and control system.

    All products built on the Selenio One are powered by Zenium™, a next-generation software framework that also underpins several additional solutions from Imagine Communications. Zenium utilizes a Micro Services approach to implementation and deployment that enables cloud-native component technologies to be easily distributed across multiple platforms. Zenium-powered platforms, including Selenio One, are designed to seamlessly integrate new technology as it becomes available and adapt to multiple deployment scenarios, from appliance to datacenter to cloud.

    The latest Selenio One product provides unprecedented flexibility, allowing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms to be optimised for software-only and GPU-accelerated encoding, as well as enhancing the specialised video processing and acceleration capabilities of modern processors with field-proven intellectual property from Imagine Communications.

    The first release of the high-density transcoding Selenio One includes the following features:
    • Support for up to 180 HD ABR and 360 HD linear channels per 4.3RU server
    • HEVC/H.265 and H.264 support
    • GPU-powered transcoding with Imagine’s enhanced video quality
    • Selenio One Media Manager system for redundancy and network management
    • Linux-based and distributed software architecture

    The latest release of the Selenio One platform is also a critical product within Imagine’s CloudXtream™ multiscreen solutions. The new product is tightly integrated with Telurio™ Packager to support a broad selection of packaging formats and DRM technologies. It also supports the insertion of ads and alternative content as part of the CloudXtream dynamic ad insertion solution.

    Selenio One has been shortlisted in the Playout & Delivery Systems category as a “Finalist for the IABM Design & Innovation Awards 2016.” Category winners will be announced on September 10th.

    For a demonstration of the Selenio One platform, please visit Imagine Communications at IBC2016 (Amtrium, Stand 4.A01). For more information about Imagine Communications, please visit www.imaginecommunications.com.

  • Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    Imagine Communications extends functionality of Selenio One unified transcoding platform to OTT

    MUMBAI: Imagine Communications, empowering the media and entertainment industry through transformative innovation, today introduced a high-density adaptive bitrate (ABR) transcoding product built on Selenio One™, the company’s software-defined linear transcoding platform. Selenio One is designed to deliver new levels of performance, flexibility and cost efficiency to broadcasters, network operators and video service providers (VSPs). The latest addition to the Selenio One family, which will be previewed at IBC2016, is purpose built to enable media companies to generate new revenue and maximise the efficiency of their networks by expanding the number of high video quality ABR and linear channels they can deliver over existing infrastructures.

    Today’s VSPs, including cable operators, telecommunications companies and satellite TV providers, are struggling to cost-effectively keep pace with requirements to deliver high-quality video to an increasing diversity of Internet-connected devices. By leveraging state-of-the-art standard computing resources powered by high-performance transcoding software from Imagine Communications, the newest product in the Selenio One family provides VSPs with the ability to expand the channel-carrying capacity of their video delivery networks on demand while enabling service providers to reduce costs by moving all compression operations to a common, software-based platform.

    “The high-density transcoding instantiation of Selenio One was designed to relieve a particularly acute pain point for today’s content distributors, who have been steadily increasing the cost and complexity of their networks to accommodate shifting video consumption patterns,” said Brick Eksten, Chief Product Officer, Imagine Communications. “Selenio One redefines the operational environment for transcoding, offering cloud-like control of mixed services with the ability to define and redefine those services on the fly. Combining centralised control with dynamic service provisioning allows the operator to be more fluid in operations while providing the ability to create new services on demand.”

    This new addition to the Selenio One platform supports HEVC/H.265 and AVC/H.264 encoding in both ABR and linear transcoding formats at extremely high densities, enabling VSPs and other media companies to realise significant space and power savings. The first release of the product is capable of supporting up to 180 HD ABR or 360 HD linear channels per 4-RU server, establishing new cost-per-channel benchmarks for high quality video transcoding. Source formats supported in the first release are MPEG-2 or H.264 and HEVC/H.265 or H.264 on the output.

    Well suited for high-density terrestrial, satellite and primary distribution transcoding with ABR transcoding for over-the-top (OTT) multiscreen applications, the latest product in the Selenio One family provides a single system for any VSP looking to launch more channels, move from MPEG-2 to H.264, add HEVC/H.265, or address a multiservice lineup with linear transcode and OTT/ABR delivery.

    Imagine Communications introduced the Selenio One platform earlier this year at the 2016 NAB Show. The initial product release focused on high video quality H.264/MPEG-2 transcoding using PCIe video acceleration with integrated software multiplexing and processing. Selenio One’s software-based architecture enables service providers to customise the functionality of the platform through the selection of video processing engines. This approach ensures consistency across all compression operations through a common architecture and control system.

    All products built on the Selenio One are powered by Zenium™, a next-generation software framework that also underpins several additional solutions from Imagine Communications. Zenium utilizes a Micro Services approach to implementation and deployment that enables cloud-native component technologies to be easily distributed across multiple platforms. Zenium-powered platforms, including Selenio One, are designed to seamlessly integrate new technology as it becomes available and adapt to multiple deployment scenarios, from appliance to datacenter to cloud.

    The latest Selenio One product provides unprecedented flexibility, allowing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms to be optimised for software-only and GPU-accelerated encoding, as well as enhancing the specialised video processing and acceleration capabilities of modern processors with field-proven intellectual property from Imagine Communications.

    The first release of the high-density transcoding Selenio One includes the following features:
    • Support for up to 180 HD ABR and 360 HD linear channels per 4.3RU server
    • HEVC/H.265 and H.264 support
    • GPU-powered transcoding with Imagine’s enhanced video quality
    • Selenio One Media Manager system for redundancy and network management
    • Linux-based and distributed software architecture

    The latest release of the Selenio One platform is also a critical product within Imagine’s CloudXtream™ multiscreen solutions. The new product is tightly integrated with Telurio™ Packager to support a broad selection of packaging formats and DRM technologies. It also supports the insertion of ads and alternative content as part of the CloudXtream dynamic ad insertion solution.

    Selenio One has been shortlisted in the Playout & Delivery Systems category as a “Finalist for the IABM Design & Innovation Awards 2016.” Category winners will be announced on September 10th.

    For a demonstration of the Selenio One platform, please visit Imagine Communications at IBC2016 (Amtrium, Stand 4.A01). For more information about Imagine Communications, please visit www.imaginecommunications.com.

  • ISRO test fires scramjet engine successfully

    ISRO test fires scramjet engine successfully

    MUMBAI: The Indian satellite launch program got a shot in the arm this morning at 6 am with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully test firing its Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (scramjet) or air breathing engine from the spaceport of Sriharikota.

    Usually rocket engines carry both fuel and an oxidiser tank on board for combustion, scramjets use oxygen from the atmosphere The newly developed engines make the spacecraft’s weight ligher, smaller and faster – thereby reducing launch costs.

    Two scramjets were used on a RH-560 big sounding rocket that took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. 11 km into space and 55 seconds into flight, the two scramjets were tested for six seconds. And the tests proved successful.

    Scientists from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) who were at Sriharikota had earlier told The Times of India that the Air-Breathing Propulsion System (ABPS) technology scramjets would be used to power the advanced reusable launch vehicle, which can return to earth after depositing the payload into its designation orbit.

    The scramjet test was planned for July 21 this year but was postponed as ISRO was assisting in the search operations to locate the missing IAF aircraft AN-32.

    After a smooth countdown of 12 hours, the solid rocket booster carrying the scramjet engines, lifted off at 0600 hrs (6:00 am) IST. The important flight events, namely, burn out of booster rocket stage, ignition of second stage solid rocket, functioning of Scramjet engines for 5 seconds followed by burn out of the second stage took place exactly as planned.

    After a flight of about 300 seconds, the vehicle touched down in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 320 km from Sriharikota. The vehicle was successfully tracked during its flight from the ground stations at Sriharikota.

    With this flight, critical technologies such as ignition of air breathing engines at supersonic speed, holding the flame at supersonic speed, air intake mechanism and fuel injection systems have been successfully demonstrated.

    The scramjet engine designed by ISRO uses Hydrogen as fuel and the Oxygen from the atmospheric air as the oxidiser. Today’s test was the maiden short duration experimental test of ISRO’s scramjet engine with a hypersonic flight at Mach 6. ISRO’s Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV), which is an advanced sounding rocket, was the solid rocket booster used for today’s test of scramjet engines at supersonic conditions. ATV carrying scramjet engines weighed 3277 kg at lift-off.

    ATV is a two stage spin stabilised launcher with identical solid motors (based on Rohini RH560 sounding rocket) as the first as well as the second stage (booster and sustainer). The twin scramjet engines were mounted on the back of the second stage. Once the second stage reached the desired conditions for engine “Start-up”, necessary actions were initiated to ignite the Scramjet engines and they functioned for about 5 seconds. Today’s ATV flight operations were based on a pre-programmed sequence.

    Some of the technological challenges handled by ISRO during the development of Scramjet engine include the design and development of Hypersonic engine air intake, the supersonic combustor, development of materials withstanding very high temperatures, computational tools to simulate hypersonic flow, ensuring performance and operability of the engine across a wide range of flight speeds, proper thermal management and ground testing of the engines.

    India is the fourth country to demonstrate the flight testing of scramjet engine. The successful technology demonstration of air-breathing scramjet engines in flight by ISRO today is a modest yet important milestone in its endeavour to design and develop advanced air breathing engines including engines for ISRO’s future space transportation system.

  • ISRO test fires scramjet engine successfully

    ISRO test fires scramjet engine successfully

    MUMBAI: The Indian satellite launch program got a shot in the arm this morning at 6 am with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully test firing its Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (scramjet) or air breathing engine from the spaceport of Sriharikota.

    Usually rocket engines carry both fuel and an oxidiser tank on board for combustion, scramjets use oxygen from the atmosphere The newly developed engines make the spacecraft’s weight ligher, smaller and faster – thereby reducing launch costs.

    Two scramjets were used on a RH-560 big sounding rocket that took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. 11 km into space and 55 seconds into flight, the two scramjets were tested for six seconds. And the tests proved successful.

    Scientists from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) who were at Sriharikota had earlier told The Times of India that the Air-Breathing Propulsion System (ABPS) technology scramjets would be used to power the advanced reusable launch vehicle, which can return to earth after depositing the payload into its designation orbit.

    The scramjet test was planned for July 21 this year but was postponed as ISRO was assisting in the search operations to locate the missing IAF aircraft AN-32.

    After a smooth countdown of 12 hours, the solid rocket booster carrying the scramjet engines, lifted off at 0600 hrs (6:00 am) IST. The important flight events, namely, burn out of booster rocket stage, ignition of second stage solid rocket, functioning of Scramjet engines for 5 seconds followed by burn out of the second stage took place exactly as planned.

    After a flight of about 300 seconds, the vehicle touched down in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 320 km from Sriharikota. The vehicle was successfully tracked during its flight from the ground stations at Sriharikota.

    With this flight, critical technologies such as ignition of air breathing engines at supersonic speed, holding the flame at supersonic speed, air intake mechanism and fuel injection systems have been successfully demonstrated.

    The scramjet engine designed by ISRO uses Hydrogen as fuel and the Oxygen from the atmospheric air as the oxidiser. Today’s test was the maiden short duration experimental test of ISRO’s scramjet engine with a hypersonic flight at Mach 6. ISRO’s Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV), which is an advanced sounding rocket, was the solid rocket booster used for today’s test of scramjet engines at supersonic conditions. ATV carrying scramjet engines weighed 3277 kg at lift-off.

    ATV is a two stage spin stabilised launcher with identical solid motors (based on Rohini RH560 sounding rocket) as the first as well as the second stage (booster and sustainer). The twin scramjet engines were mounted on the back of the second stage. Once the second stage reached the desired conditions for engine “Start-up”, necessary actions were initiated to ignite the Scramjet engines and they functioned for about 5 seconds. Today’s ATV flight operations were based on a pre-programmed sequence.

    Some of the technological challenges handled by ISRO during the development of Scramjet engine include the design and development of Hypersonic engine air intake, the supersonic combustor, development of materials withstanding very high temperatures, computational tools to simulate hypersonic flow, ensuring performance and operability of the engine across a wide range of flight speeds, proper thermal management and ground testing of the engines.

    India is the fourth country to demonstrate the flight testing of scramjet engine. The successful technology demonstration of air-breathing scramjet engines in flight by ISRO today is a modest yet important milestone in its endeavour to design and develop advanced air breathing engines including engines for ISRO’s future space transportation system.