Indian Defense
China Is Planning To Build Megastructures In Space
As per reports, China intends to construct megastructures in space that may include solar power plants, tourism complexes and gas stations.
In terms of megastructures in space, the Voyager Station, expected to be operational in coming years, will be the first hotel in space built by California based Orbital Assembly Corporation.
Decades after launching the first artificial satellite into orbit, Beijing is strengthening its foothold in space. As per a new report, now China intends to construct megastructures in space that will span miles and may include solar power plants, tourism complexes and gas stations.
After launching the core of China’s own space station “Tiangong” in 2021 and while aiming towards China’s own Mars mission, the Chinese National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) has unveiled the five-year strategy that would encourage researchers to develop new technologies and procedures.
Beijing said that there is an ‘urgent need’ for megaprojects in space, which would need the use of ultra-large spacecraft to maintain them in orbit. By 2035, the first project of this kind will be a solar power plant in high orbit that will be about a mile wide and ‘beam’ electricity back to a Chinese base station to be fed into the system. By 2050, the amount of electricity produced will have increased to a megawatt.
The Daily Mail reported that other projects by China could involve the creation of gigantic orbital platforms that span thousands of miles of space, overshadowing the International Space Station (ISS), which is only 350 feet broad.
The Tiangong station’s primary module, Tianhe, was launched in April this year after being in the works since the late 1990s. But it isn’t finished yet. It intends to progressively increase its size over the next few years, adding further research modules and even a telescope.
However, it is still unclear whether this will serve as the foundation for a larger operation or if a new facility will be built in the future, and the NSFC has not provided any precise information about the megastructures, the report added. Some are already in the works, such as a space-based power plant and a large 32-foot aperture telescope, but the latest details are about research directions.
It came in the form of a published document in which researchers were given recommendations on how to obtain financing while instructing them to concentrate their efforts on making these large-scale projects a reality. According to the directive, the researchers must concentrate on building “major strategic aerospace equipment for the future use of space resources”, and they should focus on the “exploration of the mysteries of the universe and long-term habitation in orbit”.
The report noted that the new project’s goal is to spend the next half-decade reducing the weight of spacecraft and materials, rather than actually putting these structures into orbit. Finding innovative, lighter-weight but durable materials would help to cut down the number of trips and save money.
According to a study done by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2020, space-based constructs are required to advance space-based technology. It said that with the rapid development of space technology and the growing demand for space missions, the traditional spacecraft manufacturing, deployment and launch procedures have proved unable to meet existing needs. It also added that ‘in-space assembly (ISA) technologies can effectively adapt to the assembly of large space structures, improve spacecraft performance and reduce operating costs”.
The research goes on to say that this enables the construction of permanent structures such as space infrastructure, gas stations, space manufacturing facilities, space tourism complexes and asteroid mining stations spacecraft. But in order to get to this point, a variety of new technologies must be created, including not only new materials but also advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. However, modelling for orbital dynamics and simulations for directing a space-based assembly process are among the study proposals.
The Chinese government plans to spend $2.3 million on five research projects that will look into massive structures in space and how to make them possible. Another project being developed by China is a massive telescope that will be created in space from parts sent up from Earth in collaboration with the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.
The present focus, Ultra-Large Aperture On-Orbit Assembly Project, is on automating intelligent on-orbit assembly. It will have a ten-meter aperture, which is more than twice the size of the NASA and ESA James Webb Space Telescope, which is set to launch later in 2021.
Meanwhile, reports stated that the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) is now constructing a test facility in the city of Chongqing that will receive power from solar power stations in space, with small-scale tests beginning next year.
In a paper—”Review of in-space assembly technologies”—Chinese researchers said: “As human exploration of space continues to surpass Earth’s orbit, the in-space manufacturing and assembly of large space structures are essential for human sustainable exploration. Future construction of large spatial structures such as telescopes, star shades, large fuel warehouses, or long-term habitats will rely on ISA [In-Space Assembly].”
However, apart from China, a recent report for the British government recommended that the United Kingdom should invest in its own space-based solar plant and several private companies are developing space station prototypes.
In terms of megastructures in space, the Voyager Station is expected to be operational in coming years—it will be the first hotel in space, built by California’s Fontana based Orbital Assembly Corporation, which describes itself as “the world’s first large scale space construction company”. According to the website, “The station has been designed from the start to accommodate business, manufacturing, national space agencies conducting low gravity research, and space tourists who want to experience life on a large space station with the comfort of low gravity and the feel of a luxury hotel.”
Construction on the 50,000-square-meter building is expected to begin in 2026, with the first passengers arriving in 2027, according to the organisation. The rotating hotel will contain rooms for up to 440 guests when it opens. The station’s gravity will be one-sixth that of the Earth thanks to its revolving ring-shaped design.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
-
Camera3 years ago
Charles ‘Chuck’ Geschke, co-founder of Adobe and inventor of the PDF, dies at 81
-
TOP SCEINCE6 days ago
Inherited predisposition for higher muscle strength may protect against common morbidities
-
world news5 days ago
Jewish diaspora expresses concern as Iranian drones launch toward Israel
-
TOP SCEINCE6 days ago
Stellar winds of three sun-like stars detected for the first time
-
TOP SCEINCE6 days ago
Brightest gamma-ray burst of all time came from the collapse of a massive star
-
world news5 months ago
Gulf, France aid Gaza, Russia evacuates citizens
-
Camera2 years ago
Sony a7 IV sample gallery
-
TOP SCEINCE2 days ago
Plastic pollution can kill variety of ocean embryos