Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
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The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is located on the Arabian Sea coastline of Trivandrum, the capital city of the Kerala state in India. It is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where space vehicles are developed for the Indian satellite programme.
The VSSC is located between the villages of Veli to the south, Kulathoor to east, and Pallithura to the north. The location of VSSC is traditionally and conveniently associated with the nearby village of Thumba which has no border with VSSC.
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Center is ISRO's one of the main Research & Development establishment. Its facilities were built near the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), on the west coast of India, about 10 miles (16 km) north of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala State. VSSC was named after the late Professor Vikram Sarabhai (1919-1971), founder of the Indian Space Program. VSSC is an entirely national facility working on the development of sounding rockets; Rohini and Menaka, launchers; ASLV, PSLV and GSLV, along with the solid motor program.
"There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society. " - Vikram Sarabhai
ISRO's Launch Vehicle programme started with development of SLV-3, first successfully launched on July 18, 1980 followed by two more flights. The second launch vehicle was Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle which had two successful flights. The development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle has been completed with two successful flights and is now available for operational use. PSLV successfully launched SRE-1 and was also used for launching ISRO's first exclusive commercial mission, PSLV C-8.Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is also operational. A new heavy lift vehicle, GSLV Mark-3 is currently under development.
[edit] ISRO launch vehicles
[edit] About ISRO
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Lead centre for rocket and launch vehicle projects. R&D activities cover avionics, aeronautics, materials and mechanical engineering, solid propulsion and composites, propellants, polymers and chemicals, systems reliability and computer and information. Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant under VSSC functions at Aluva. Space Physics Laborator carries out research in atmospheric and related space sciences. Achievements include development of sounding rockets, ISRO launch vehicles, SLV 3, ASLV, PSLV and GSLV. GSLV Mark-3is under development.
Indian space programme driven by vision of Dr Vikram Sarabhai considered as the father of Indian Space Programme.
Government of India set up Space Commission and Department of Space (DOS) in June 1972. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under DOS executes Space programme through its establishments located in different places in India. Main objective of space programme includes development of satellites, launch vehicles, Sounding Rockets and associated ground systems. Crossed several major milestones. Experimental phase included Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), Satellite Telcommunication Experiment (STEP), remote sensing application projects, satellites like Aryabhata, Bhaskara, Rohini and APPLE and launch vehicles, SLV-3 and ASLV. Present operational space systems include Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for tele-communication, television broadcasting, meteorology and disaster warning and Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) for resources monitoring and management. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) used for launching IRS Satellites and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), intended for launching INSAT class of satellites. Space Science activities include SROSS and IRS-P3 satellites, participation in international science campaigns and ground systems like MST Radar. ISRO's co-operative arrangements cover several countries and space agencies. ISRO provides training in space field to personnel from other countries. ISRO's hardware and services available commercially through Antrix Corporation.
For details contact at: info@isro.org
Programmes Indian National Satellite System (INSAT)
Established in 1983 with commissioning of INSAT-1B.
A joint venture of Department of Space (DOS), Department of Telecommunications, India Meteorological Department, All India Radio and Doordarshan. DOS responsible for establishment and operation of INSAT space segment.
INSAT space segment at present consists of INSAT-1D, last of the INSAT-1 series launched in 1990 and three ISRO-built satellites, INSAT-2A launched in July 1992, INSAT-2B launched in July 1993 and INSAT-2C launched on December 7, 1995.
INSAT-2DT acquired from ARABSAT. INSAT-2E launched on April 3, 1999.
ISRO has leased eleven 36 MHz equivalent units of C-band capacity on board INSAT-2E to INTELSAT organisation
INSAT-3B launched on March 22, 2000.
INSAT-3C launched on January 24, 2002.
INSAT-3A launched on April 10, 2003.
INSAT-3E launched on September 28, 2003.
Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) System
Commissioned with the launch of IRS-1A in March 1988
IRS system under National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) coordinated at national level by the Planning Committee of NNRMS (PC-NNRMS).
At present has four satellites, IRS-1B launched in August 1991, IRS-1C launched in December 1995 and IRS-1D launched on September 29, 1997.
IRS-P3 and IRS-1D launched by India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
OCEANSAT-1 with an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and a Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR) launched by PSLV-C2.
RESOURCESAT-1 for agricultural applications launched by PSLV-C5.
CARTOSAT-1 with a Very High Resolution Panchromatic camera for cartographic applications launched by PSLV-C6
Data from IRS satellites received and processed by the National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad.
SI a US Company also receives and markets IRS data worldwide under a commercial contract with Antrix Corporation of the Department of Space.
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS)
113 kg SROSS-C2 satellite, launched by ASLV-D4 on May 4, 1994 carries two scientific payloads, a Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) experiment and a Retarding Potential Analyser (RPA). A similar satellite, SROSS-C had been launched by ASLV-D3 in May 1992. SROSS-C2 is in service.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
Developmental flights completed with successful third developmental launch in March 1996.
Now available for launching 1,000-1,200 kg class of remote sensing satellites into polar sun-synchronous orbit. IRS-1D launched on September 29, 1997.
IRS-P4(OCEANSAT) and two small satellites (KITSAT of Korea and TUBSAT of Germany) launched on May 26, 1999 by PSLV-C2.
PSLV-C3 launched three satellites -- Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) of ISRO, BIRD of Germany and PROBA of Belgium - into their intended orbits on October 22, 2001.
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C4 launched KALPANA-1 satellite on September 12, 2002.
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C5 launched RESOURCESAT-1 (IRS-P6) satellite on October 17, 2003.
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C6 launched CARTOSAT-1 and HAMSAT satellites on May 5, 2005.
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C7 launched CARTOSAT-2, SRE-1, LAPANTUBSAT and PEHUENSAT-1 satellites on January 10, 2007.
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C8 (WITHOUT STRAP ON BOOSTERS) launched AGILE satellite on April 23, 2007.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
For launching 2,000 kg class of communication satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
A three stage vehicle; first stage is a 129 tonne solid propellant core motor with four liquid propellant strap-ons with 40 tonne propellant each, second stage is a liquid propulsion system with 37.5 tonne propellant and a cryogenic upper stage with 12 tonne of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
First developmental flight GSLV-D1 completed with successful launch on April 18, 2001.
Second developmental flight GSLV-D2 launched GSAT-2 satellite on May 8, 2003.
First operational flight of GSLV (GSLV-F01) and the third in the GSLV series launched EDUSAT satellite on September 20, 2004.
Second operational flight of GSLV (GSLV-F02) was a failure.
International cooperation
ISRO had the benefit of International cooperation since inception.
Establishment of TERLS, conduct of SITE & STEP, launches of Aryabhata, Bhaskara, APPLE, IRS-IA and IRS-IB/ satellites manned space mission, etc involved international cooperation.
ISRO operates LUT/MCC under international COSPAS/SARSAT Programme for Search and Rescue.
MOU now exists with Canada, China, European Space Agency, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Mauritius, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Syria, The Netherlands and Ukraine.
India has established a Center for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) that is sponsored by United Nations.
India Hosted the Second UN-ESCAP Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific in November 1999.
INSAT Utilisation
Telecommunication Television Search and Rescue Meteorology Radio Networking IRS Data Applications
Data from Indian Remote Sensing Satellite is used for various applications of resources survey and management under the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS).
Preharvest crop area and production estimation of major crops. Drought monitoring and assessment based on vegetation condition. Flood risk zone mapping and flood damage assessment. Hydro-geomorphological maps for locating underground water resources for drilling well. Irrigation command area status monitoring Snow-melt run-off estimates for planning water use in down stream projects Land use and land cover mapping Urban planning Forest survey Wetland mapping Environmental impact analysis Mineral Prospecting Coastal studies Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development for generating locale-specific prescriptions for integrated land and water resources development in 174 districts.
SRO Centres The Department of Space (DOS) has, over the years, built up a strong research and development and technology base with necessary infrastructure and manpower for implementing the space programme.
The various space centres of DOS are as follows:
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) Space Applications Centre (SAC) Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) INSAT Master Control Facility (MCF) ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC) Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) National Mesosphere/Stratosphere Troposphere Radar Facility (NMRF)
Sponsored Research
ISRO-Institution Partnership Space Technology Cells functioning in reputed Institutions. Sponsored Research (RESPOND) Scheme of ISRO helps academic and research institutions in India get financial support for undertaking research relevant to space programme. About 25 institutions have projects under RESPOND Scheme.
For Details Write to:
Scientific Secretary ISRO Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bangalore - 560 094 Tel: +91 - 80 - 341 6356 & 341 5357 Fax: +91 - 80 - 341 5298
ISRO-Industry Partnership ISRO has strong partnership with Indian industry for space programme execution. Over 500 small, medium and largescale industries contribute to ISRO, supplying hardware, undertaking fabrication jobs and establishment of fabrication and test facilities.
231 technologies developed in ISRO transferred to industry for commercial use. Technical consultancy projects undertaken by ISRO for industries.
For details write to:- Director, TT&IC, ISRO Headquarters, Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bangalore - 560 094 Tel: +91 - 80 - 341 6273 Fax: +91 - 80 - 341
[edit] References
ISRO Facilities |
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| ISRO Satellite Centre • INSAT Master Control Facility • Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre • Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre • Satish Dhawan Space Centre • Space Applications Centre • Development and Educational Communication Unit • ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network • ISRO Inertial Systems Unit • National Remote Sensing Agency • Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres • Physical Research Laboratory • National Mesosphere/Stratosphere Troposphere Radar Facility |
