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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS
07 March, 2021
10 Min Read
Indian Space Program
Quick Facts
Initial satellites
International launch vehicles used
Important Institutions related to Space
Major Milestones in India’s Space Programme (D.R.Khullar)
Planned Missions of ISRO in the coming years
Types of Orbit
Supercomputers in India
Organisation |
Supercomputer |
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Space Debris Issue and Technologies that can tackle the problem:
India’s Anti Satellite(ASAT) Missile
Launch year |
Satellite |
Importance |
1975 |
Aryabhata |
First Indian Satellite. It gave valuable technological know-how about satellites. |
1979 |
Bhaskara-I |
First experimental remote sensing satellite that carried TV and microwave cameras. |
1982 |
INSAT-1A |
First operational multipurpose communication and meteorology satellite. |
1999 |
OCEANSAT |
Earth observation satellite carrying a Multifrequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR)and an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM). |
2002 |
Kalpana-1 (METSAT) |
First meteorological satellite built by Indian Space Research Organisation. |
2004 |
EDUSAT (GSAT-3) |
India’s first satellite exclusively for education |
2005 |
HAMSAT |
Microsatellite for radio services to national and international community |
2005 |
CARTOSAT-1 |
Earth observation satellite |
2007 |
SRE-1 (Space Capsule Recovery Experiment) |
Test satellites to show an orbiting platform for performing tests in microgravity conditions |
2008 |
Chandrayaan-1 PSLV c11 |
Scientific Payloads from India a) Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) b) Hyper Spectral Imager (HySIS) c) Lunar Laser Ranging Instrument (LLRI) d) High Energy X - ray Spectrometer (HEX) e) Moon Impact Probe(MIP) |
2009 |
ANUSAT |
Research Microsatellite developed by Anna University |
2009 |
Oceansat-2 |
Collects oceanographic, coastal and atmospheric data |
2011 |
Youthsat |
Indo-Russian stellar and atmospheric satellite |
2011 |
Megha-Tropiques |
Indo-French collaborative effort to research on water cycle in the atmosphere |
2013 |
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) |
India’s first Mars orbiter |
2015 |
Astrosat |
India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space Observatory |
2016 |
IRNSS-1G |
Seventh and final satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System |
2016 |
CARTOSAT-2C |
Earth observation remote sensing satellite |
2016 |
Miniature satellite to give climate anticipating, tornado expectation, and tracking services to India. |
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2018 |
MICROSAT- TD |
This satellite is a technology demonstrator and the forerunner of future satellites. |
2018 |
HysIS PSLV c43 |
It facilitates Hyperspectral imaging Services for agriculture, forestry, and wide applications. The primary goal of HysIS is to study the earth’s surface in the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. |
2019 |
Microsat-R |
This satellite facilitates Earth imaging for defense purposes. |
2019 |
KalamSAT-V2 |
It is the world’s lightest satellite. |
2019 |
EMISAT |
This facilitates Electromagnetic intelligence to track any enemy radars for the IAF. |
2019 |
Cartosat-3 |
Cartosat-3 is one of the optical satellites with the highest resolutions in the world. |
2020 |
GSAT-30 |
GSAT-30 is the 41st communication satellite launched by ISRO to replace INSAT-4A. It provides advanced telecommunication services to the entire Indian subcontinent. |
2020 |
PSLV c49 |
EOS-01 is an earth observation satellite, intended for applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support. |
2021 |
Amazonia-1 PSLV c51 |
Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite.This satellite would further strengthen the existing structure by providing remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory. |
Planets and Their Natural Satellites
No. |
Planets |
Number of moons |
Prominent ones |
1. |
Mercury |
0 |
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2. |
Venus |
0 |
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3. |
Earth |
1 |
Moon |
4. |
Mars |
2 |
Phobos, Delmos |
5. |
Jupiter |
79 |
Ganymede(Largest in the solar system) Europa(Ocean Moon) Lo(Volcanic moon) |
6. |
Saturn |
82 |
Enceladus and Titan |
7. |
Uranus |
27 |
Miranda |
8. |
Neptune |
14 |
Triton |
Telescopes to Study Universe
Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)
Spitzer space telescope
Kepler Space Telescope
TESS
Copernicus Programme
GROWTH
WORLD MISSIONS to different PLANETS and STARS
Star |
Year |
Probe/Mission |
Launch vehicle |
Target |
Space Agency |
Sun |
1970 |
Apollo telescope |
Helios space craft |
Study solar wind and solar corona |
NASA |
1980 |
Solar Maximum Mission |
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To observe Gamma rays X rays UV radiation from solar flares during high solar activity and solar luminosity |
NASA |
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Ulysses/ Odysseus
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To study Sun’s poles |
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2006 |
Solar terrestrial relations observatory STEREO MISSION |
Delta II 7925 |
Stereoscopic imaging of Sun and Solar phenomena |
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2015 |
DSCOVR Deep Space Climate Observatory |
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Solar wind and coronavirus ejection monitoring as well as a climate monitoring |
Space X |
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2018 |
Parker Solar probe Explores different aspects of the Sun-Earth System. |
Delta IV heavy rocket |
Closest orbiting man made satellite, flying Low into solar corona • The probe seeks to gather information about the Sun’s atmosphere. |
It is part Of NASA's “Living With a Star” programme |
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2020 |
Solar Orbiter
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Atlas V |
Study Solar Heliosphere Physics |
ESA |
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2022 |
Aditya-L1 |
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Will be inserted in halo orbit around around L1 point to study dynamics of Solar Corona |
ISRO |
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Mercury |
2004 |
MESSENGER MErcury Surface Space ENvironment Geo-chemistry and Ranging |
Delta II 7925H |
To study the characteristics and environment of Mercury from orbit. Specifically the chemical composition geologic history the core and exosphere |
NASA |
2018 Arrival planned for 2025 |
Bepi Colombo |
Ariane5 rocket |
Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter magnetic field and magnetic year of Mercury |
ESA, JAXA
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Venus |
1961-84 |
Venera |
Molniya M |
Venus atmospheric probe |
Lavochkin, Soviet |
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Pioneer Venus |
Atlas- Centaur |
Orbiter and Multi Probe |
NASA |
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1989 |
Magellan |
Space Shuttle Atlantis |
Map Surface of Venus by using Synthetic Aperture Radar and to measure planetary Gravitational Field |
NASA |
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2005 |
Venus Express |
Soyuz |
Orbiter |
ESA |
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2015 |
Akatsuki |
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Venus climate Orbiter to study stratification of Venus atmosphere |
JAXA |
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2010 |
IKAROS |
H-IIA 202 |
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JAXA |
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Flybys of Venus (Closest Encounter) |
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Parker Solar Probe Solar Orbiter JUICE (Jupiter) Galileo (Jupiter) Cassini (Saturn) Messenger(Mercury) BepiColombo(Mercury) |
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These Use gravity assist at Venus to shrink their elliptical orbit around different planets |
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Future missions of Venus |
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Shukrayaan-1 |
GSLV MKII |
Orbiter and Atmospheric Balloon |
ISRO |
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CUVE, VERITAS, VOX , EVE, ENVISION VICI, VISAGE, VICE, HAVOC |
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Orbiter Lander Crewed Aircraft(havoc) |
NASA ESA
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Moon |
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Surveyor |
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To demonstrate feasibility of soft landings, Mid course Corrections |
NASA |
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Explorer
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Delta 1913 Rocket |
Magnetospheric Probe studying Moon and Interplanetary Space |
NASA |
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Lunar Orbiter |
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Mapping Moon’s Surface to help select Apollo landing sites. |
NASA |
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Project Apollo11
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Saturn V launch vehicle |
Apollo 11, Human Space flight to Moon. Successful landing of humans on moon. Buzz Aldrin & Neil Armstrong were 1st to land. |
NASA |
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Luna program
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Objectives: soft landing, rover, orbiting. Also study chemical composition, gravity, temperature, radiation. |
Soviet Union |
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Zond Program Zond 1,2,3- Venus, Mars, Moon |
Soyuz spacecraft
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To gather information about nearby planets |
Soviet Union |
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2006 |
Artemis Orbiter |
Delta II 7925 |
To study effect of lunar wind on lunar surface |
NASA |
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2007 |
Chang’e YUTU Rover |
Long March |
Objective: Soft landing, Rover Exploration Lunar surface topography geologic survey, material composition survey. |
CNSA, China |
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2008 |
LADEE Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer |
Minotaur V |
Determine density, composition of lunar exosphere, Lunar Dust Experiment |
NASA |
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2008 |
CHANDRAYAAN-1
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PSLV XL |
Mineralogical, chemical imaging of permanently shadowed North and South polar regions. Discovered water ice on moon. |
ISRO |
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2009 |
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and LCROSS Impactor (Lunar Crater Observation and Sending Satellite)
|
AtlasV 401 launch vehicle |
To determine narrow of hydrogen detected at lunar poles, explore presence of water in lunar polar region. |
NASA |
|
2018-20 Other missions |
Longjiang
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Long March |
Orbiter |
CNSA
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Beresheet |
Falcon 9
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Lunar lander and probe |
Space IL and ASI (Israel) |
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CHANDRAYAAN |
GSLV MK 3 |
Lander,Rover |
ISRO |
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Future Lunar Missions |
In 2021 |
CAPSTONE
Photon
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Electron |
Orbiter, Technology demonstrator
Gravity assist to interplanetary Space, Technology Demonstrator |
NASA
Rocket lab |
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Mission one
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Vulcan Centaur |
Peregrine lander |
Astrobotic Tech-USA |
Spacebit Mission one |
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Space bit- UK |
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Colmena |
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UNAM - Mexico |
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In 2022 |
Chandrayaan-3 |
GSLV Mk 3 |
Soft landing on moon |
ISRO |
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SLIM – Smart Lander for Investigating Moon |
H-IIA 202 |
Pin point landing, roving |
JAXA |
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Artemis |
Falcon 9 |
Lander technology demonstration |
Japan, USA |
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In 2023 |
Viper rover
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Prospect for lunar resources in South pole region |
NASA |
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Luna |
Soyuz |
Lander, party of LUNA-GLOB programme |
Roscosmos |
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Destiny+ |
Epsilon |
Lunar fly by towards 3200-Phaethon |
JAXA |
Future Robotic lunar Space Probes |
2022 |
Garatea L |
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Orbiter |
Air antis |
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Lunar polar exploration |
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Lander Robert, part of CHANDRAYAAN |
ISRO, JAXA |
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ISOCHRON
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Lunar sample return |
NASA |
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LUNA GLOB |
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Crewed lunar Orbiter and landing |
Roscosmos |
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Mars |
1964 |
Mariner
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Atlas Centaur |
Fly by |
NASA |
1972 |
Mars 2 Mars 3 |
Proton K/D |
Lander, Rover |
Soviet union |
|
1975 |
Viking 1 Viking 2 |
Titan IIIE Centaur-D1T |
Orbiter, Lander |
NASA |
|
2003 |
Spirit Opportunity |
Delta II 7925 Delta II 7925H |
Rover Rover |
NASA |
|
2005 |
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter |
Atlas V401 |
Orbiter |
NASA |
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2007 |
Phoenix |
Delta II 7925 |
Lander |
NASA |
|
2011 |
Curiosity |
Atlas V 541 |
Rover |
NASA |
|
2013 |
Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) |
PSLV-XL |
Orbiter |
ISRO |
|
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Maven( Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) |
Atlas V401 |
Orbiter |
NASA |
|
2018 |
Insight |
Atlas V401 |
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NASA |
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2020 |
Hope |
H-IIA |
Orbiter |
MBRSC(Md. Bin Rashid Space Center) – UAE |
|
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Tianwen |
Long March 5 |
Orbiter, Lander and Rover |
CNSA |
|
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Perseverance Ingenuity |
Atlas V 541 |
Rover Helicopter( to be deployed by perseverance rover) |
NASA |
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Future missions to Mars |
2022 |
Eco Mars |
|
Lander |
SRI RAS, RUSSIA |
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MOM 2 |
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Orbiter |
ISRO |
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Martian Moons Exploration |
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Orbiter |
JAXA |
|
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MELOS |
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Rover. Mars Exploration of Life and Organism Search- MELOS |
JAXA |
|
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Next Mars Orbiter (NeMO) |
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Orbiter |
NASA |
|
2030 |
Deimos and Phobos Interior Explorer |
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Orbiter |
NASA |
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2026 |
Mars Sample Reform Mission |
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Orbiter, Lander, Return vehicle |
NASA, ESA |
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Flybys to different planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune |
|
Pioneer |
Atlas Centaur |
Flyby to Jupiter Objective: Outer Solar System and Heliocentric Exploration. |
NASA |
1977- still in operation |
Voyager |
Titan III Centaur |
Outer Solar System Exploration |
NASA |
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Jupiter |
1995-2003 |
Galileo
|
Space shuttle Atlantis |
Atmospheric Analysis, orbiter |
NASA |
|
Juno |
Atlas V 551 |
Orbiter, assessment of gravitational and magnetic field of Jupiter, |
NASA |
|
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Gravity Assists: Ulysses(Sun) CassiniHuygens(Saturn) NewHorizons(Pluto Kuiper belt formation) |
|
These Use gravity assist at Jupiter to shrink their elliptical orbit around different planets |
|
|
Saturn |
1997 |
Cassini-Huygens |
Titan IVCentaur |
Cassini Orbiter – To determine 3D structure of rings of Saturn, composition of atmosphere. |
NASA ESA ASI(Italian Space Agency) |
|
Huygens probe/lander- To characterise Titans surface and study its clouds |
||||
Pluto |
2006 |
New Horizons Flyby |
Atlas V |
Understand, formation of plutonian system, Kuiper belt, transformation of early solar system |
NASA |
Source: Wikipedia
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