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ISRO To Emphasize On Manufacturing Process, Make Minor Tweaks On GSLV For Gaganyaan

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ISRO To Emphasize On Manufacturing Process, Make Minor Tweaks On GSLV For Gaganyaan

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be making only minor tweaks to its heavy-lifter rocket GSLV MK-III

Chennai: According to top officials, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be making only minor tweaks to its heavy-lifter rocket GSLV MK-III, as the agency gears up for Human Spaceflight missions. These changes on its most advanced rocket are meant to improve its reliability for undertaking the daunting task of lifting a human-carrying spacecraft to orbit. Additional emphasis would also be paid to the manufacturing process of the rocket and its components.

ISRO is working towards performing two unmanned flights of Gaganyaan, in order to test and certify its systems, before the actual Human Spaceflight. Mandatory testing and qualifications apart, ISRO would also be launching two satellites that are meant to provide communications support for its human-carrying spacecraft. Known as IDRSS (Indian Data Relay System Satellites), they would be placed nearly 36,000km above the equator(where it would remain in sync with the earth’s rotation or at a constant position when seen from earth) and will offer near-total tracking and communication with India’s space assets. It must be noted that a constellation of 3 satellites positioned in the 36,000km orbit can offer real-time, 24/7 monitoring of almost the entire earth.

ISRO intends to launch two such IDRSS satellites prior to the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight. Dr. K.Sivan, Chairman, ISRO told Zee Media that the Gaganyaan spacecraft would be placed in a low earth orbit, 400kms above the earth. He added that ISRO was looking at launching the IDRSS satellites in 2022. For context, when Gaganyaan is orbiting earth, but not visible to the ground stations, Gaganyaan can send its signals and communicate to the IDRSS satellites up above, which in turn would relay it down to the ground stations and vice versa. This would ensure constant communication between the astronauts and their mission control on earth.

Referring to the orbital placement of Gaganyaan, he said “The rocket will put the 7.5ton Gaganyaan module into 170x400kms orbit(170kms from earth and 400kms from earth at its nearest and farthest points in orbit respectively). Thereafter, the on-board propulsion will raise the Gaganyaan module to a uniform 400kms orbit (Low earth orbit). He also added that, the same propulsion system would be used to lower the orbit and bring the spacecraft closer to earth for aiding re-entry.

When queried about the astronauts’ mission duration in space and the splash-landing site(Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea), he said that it would be decided in due course.

On the testing of rocket engines, Dr. S. Somanath, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre told Zee Media that minor tweaks would be made to the GSLV MK-III rocket, in terms of few materials being used. However, he added that these would be very minor changes that are aimed at improving reliability and not fundamental, technological ones. Also, the space agency would be laying additional emphasis on the manufacturing process of the rocket and its components. It is pertinent to recall that the GSLV MK-III, which is to be used for Gaganyaan has had complete success in all its four flights thus far.

Regarding the engines being used to propel the Gaganyaan spacecraft, he said that it was a cluster of five engines. Here too, the engines being used are the tried and tested 440N thrust engines that are in use in the GSAT series of satellites. A system demonstration model comprising a cluster of five engines were recently test-fired successfully by ISRO, for a duration of 450 seconds. In the coming months, ISRO would be performing long-duration test-fire of its engines, in order to accumulate more data for human-rating of the entire rocket. It essentially means that a rocket that is used for hauling Cargo (Satellites) to space is being modified, certified for carrying humans while ensuring higher safety and reliability.

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

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.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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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.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

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.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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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).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

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.





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