S SOMANATH
ISRO completes Reusable Launch Vehicle technology demonstrations under challenging conditions
ISRO achieved a significant milestone with the successful third consecutive test of the Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing Experiment, demonstrating the autonomous landing capability of the launch vehicle under challenging conditions. Named 'Pushpak,' the winged vehicle executed cross-range correction maneuvers and a precise horizontal landing at the runway centerline after being released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter. This success reaffirms ISRO's expertise in acquiring critical technologies for the development of a Reusable Launch Vehicle.
NASA chief says US and India to expand collaboration in space; to train Indian astronaut for ISS
NASA administrator Bill Nelson announced an expanded collaboration with India, including a joint effort aboard the International Space Station with an Indian astronaut. The US and India aim to deepen interoperability in space, commencing advanced training for ISRO astronauts at NASA's Johnson Space Centre. Efforts will support future human spaceflight and address global challenges.
Satellite launch market grim, need to create internal demand: ISRO chairman S Somanath
ISRO chairman S Somanath stresses the need to create internal demand for rockets, referencing PSLVs, SpaceX, and Blue Origin's strategies.
ISRO Chairman inaugurates HAL facilities, rocket manufacturing capacity gets a boost
ISRO Chairman S Somanath inaugurated state-of-the-art propellant tank production and CNC machining facilities at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Aerospace Division, enhancing rocket manufacturing capacity. These facilities will enable HAL to meet ISRO's growing demand for six LVM3 rocket launches per year, up from the current capacity of two. Somanath emphasized HAL's potential in future missions, while HAL's Chairman C B Ananthakrishnan highlighted the collaboration's role in accelerating human spaceflight missions and Next-Generation Launch Vehicles. The new facilities will produce high-performance fuel tanks and precision components critical for LVM3 rockets.
ISRO chairman advocates for libraries in temples to attract youth
ISRO Chairman S Somanath advocates for setting up libraries in temples to attract youngsters to places of worship, urging temple managements to transform society. He received an award from Sree Udiyannoor Devi Temple and former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair, emphasizing the importance of attracting youth to temples.
Indian space industry offers tremendous opportunity for private players, says ISRO Chief
ISRO Chairman S Somanath highlights the vast potential for growth and development in the Indian space industry, estimating a $9-10 billion industry within 5-10 years. He praises the collaboration between ISRO and private sector companies like SFO Technologies, emphasizing their role in advancing space technology and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Private players will make space more accessible: ISRO chief
ISRO Chairman S Somanath expressed optimism about the role of private players in advancing space technology, citing SpaceX's success. He highlighted the importance of government support for private companies and mentioned Indian companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos already working in the field. Somanath also shared updates on Chandrayaan-4, part of India's moon exploration program, aiming to land on the moon in 2040. The interaction with space enthusiasts, part of ISRO's outreach efforts, lasted an hour and will continue in May.
Solar Eclipse 2024: Will ISRO's Aditya-L1 be able to shed light on Sun's secrets?
India's Aditya L1 satellite, dedicated to studying the Sun, will miss the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, as it is positioned to provide uninterrupted views of the Sun. In contrast, NASA is gearing up for the rare celestial event, flying special research planes and organizing various activities across the USA to witness the spectacle safely. The eclipse will darken skies as it passes over North America, with the path of totality tracking across several cities.
ISRO chief S Somanath reveals battle with cancer, says he was diagnosed on day of Aditya Solar mission launch
ISRO Chief S Somanath disclosed in an interview that he was diagnosed with cancer on the day of the Aditya-L1 solar mission launch. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy, affirming his complete recovery. Somanath, also secretary of the Department of Space, highlighted his contributions to ISRO's launch vehicle engineering.
Not a surveillance satellite: ISRO on collaborative effort with NASA
ISRO chief S Somanath clarified that the joint satellite mission with NASA, called NISAR, is not for surveillance but for studying Earth's sustainability amidst climate change. The mission aims to develop a Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite to monitor Earth's surface, focusing on various aspects like water, agriculture, and environmental changes. NISAR's data will be shared between the US and India and will be in the public domain.
ISRO holding discussions "internally' on Chandrayaan-4 mission: Chairman S Somanath
ISRO is internally discussing plans for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, aiming to develop a novel design and high-end technology. After the success of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, ISRO aims for a more complex mission, involving bringing back soil from the Moon's surface. ISRO Chairman S Somanath mentioned the agency's intention to launch Chandrayaan 4, 5, 6, and 7 missions following Chandrayaan-3's success.
Indian space sector to be turned into a business activity: ISRO chairman
ISRO Chairman S Somanath stated that the Indian space sector is transitioning from a closed and secretive society to an open one, with the goal of transforming it into an economic activity. The shift is influenced by the economic success of space-related activities in countries like the USA.
Tests on Bharatiya Space Station next year: ISRO Chairman S Somanath
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) plans to conduct the first tests for the proposed Bharatiya Space Station next year, aiming for the launch of its first module by 2028. The space agency is in talks with the industry for manufacturing, testing, and launching the module. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target is to have the space station operational by 2035.
Chandrayaan-3 success connected with hearts of people: ISRO chief S Somanath
Somanath pointed out that even vacancies in engineering colleges were getting filled after Chandrayaan-3 mission success, since there is better demand for core engineering streams. "This is a motivational factor on how a great scientific experiment put appropriate in front of people can create a big impact," he said.
PSLV XPoSat launched on January 1 doing very well: ISRO Chairman S Somanath
There are many launches for Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme as well, and 2024 is going to be 'Gaganyaan year'. The other launches include commercial launches and the GSLV launch, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said. He also spoke about the crucial manoeuvre in the space agency's maiden solar mission, the Aditya-L1, which would be performed on January 6.
ISRO's first solar mission Aditya-L1 to reach its destination on January 6: Chairman Somanath
ISRO's Aditya-L1 solar mission, launched on September 2, is nearing its final maneuver and is set to reach the L1 point on January 6, said ISRO Chairman S Somanath. The spacecraft has already completed four earth-bound maneuvers and a TL1I maneuver.
India planning to launch 50 satellites for intelligence gathering in five years: ISRO chief
Speaking at 'Techfest', an annual science and technology event organised by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somanath said it is important to improve the ability of satellites to detect changes, to bring in more of AI-related and data-driven approach to analyse data, reduce data downloads and get only the necessary information. Spacecrafts are capable of observing a country's borders and neighbouring regions, he noted.
Aditya-L1 solar probe nears Sun's outer reach, expected arrival on January 6: ISRO
India's Aditya-L1 solar spacecraft, nearing the Lagrangian (L1) point 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, marks a significant stride in space exploration. Isro chairman S Somanath anticipates its arrival on January 6, unveiling its pivotal role in studying the Sun's outer atmosphere, free from eclipses. Aditya-L1's engine firing will stabilize its position, allowing detailed solar event analysis. Isro's vision of an Indian space station further underscores India's ambitious space exploration endeavors.
Solar mission Aditya L1 will reach destination on January 6: ISRO chairman
The mission, the first Indian space-based observatory to study the Sun from a halo orbit L1, was launched by ISRO on September 2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota. "Aditya L1 will enter the L1 point on January 6.
Load More
