It was an eventful 2022 for the Indian space sector that includes the government and the private sector. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) put into the satellite launch market a heavier rocket with an order size of over Rs 1,000 crore and also launched a couple of its own satellites, said a top official of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The space agency transferred its operational assets to NSIL and the latter also selected a consortium to make five PSLV-XL rockets. The private space startups also flew their satellites and rockets during the year under review, S. Somanath, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO told IANS.
However, the bigger news for the government-owned space sector is the successful launch of 36 satellites of UK-based OneWeb in 2022 with ISRO’s heavier rocket LVM3 earlier known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mk III.
“One more similar launch is slated for early next year. We may get launch contracts for OneWeb’s next generation satellites. With enquiries coming as to the availability of LMV3 for launches, we have to see on increasing its production say five or six per year,” Somanath said.
Increasing production needs investments. We can’t ask the government for funds as the commercial programme needs commercial funds for the commercial arm NSIL, he said.
“Production of heavy rockets needs a lead time of a couple of years. Funding options are being studied and NSIL can even ask the customers for an advance payment so that the rocket production can be taken up,” Somanath said.
Even globally the space sector business model is undergoing a change with governments moving out and allowing the private sector in as the former model is not sustainable in the long run, the ISRO Chief added.
On the technology transfer, ISRO has transferred its knowhow for Indian Mini Satellite Bus to about six players and to about 10 companies the lithium-ion battery, he said.
On the R&D side, Somanath said ISRO has ramped up activities and is working on several new technologies whose outcome will be known some time next year.
The space agency is researching additive manufacturing (3D printing) which is a tricky subject as one has to understand the material. Lot of work has gone in at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the space agency can create more professionals in this field.
“We are also working on new materials like the magnetic materials, special glasses, development of high temperature tolerant materials that would find use in the reusable launch vehicle or reusable rockets,” Somanath said.
For India’s human space mission Gaganyaan, ISRO has decided to develop the environmental life support systems instead of an earlier plan of importing the same.
The other major area of work is the software driven satellites – satellites whose purpose can be changed with software. The satellite is in R&D mode and may take two/three years to get ready, Somanath said.
“The ISRO is also focusing on developing electronics for its satellites and also on using the commercially available electronics with suitable upscaling and a start was made with the SSLV rocket’s electronic components which will also bring down the production costs,” Somanath said.
Continuing further, he added that ISRO has also developed the atomic clock that will be fitted in the navigation satellites. The first clock is ready to be fitted.
On the update on NavIC constellation, he said India has to launch only three to make the constellation complete. Out of the eight NavIC satellites that have been launched, one is not working and in some others, the atomic clock is not functioning.
“We are working to get the Indian government’s permission to launch one NavIC satellite next February. We are also looking at the long term plan. We are building five more NavIC satellites as replacement for the existing ones. The five satellites will have a new frequency for civilian use. Further the communication security is beefed up for
use by the strategic sectors,” Somanath said.
On the status of reusable launch vehicle (RLV), he said test landing planned for 2022 was not possible as the helicopter that would lift it and release it from the required heights was not available.
The year also saw Agnikul Cosmos building its own rocket launch pad at ISRO’s facility in Sriharikota.
As per the policy, private players can build their infrastructure on ISRO’s land. The Agnikul Cosmos’ launch pad is only for test launches. They will have to have their own launch infrastructure or use ISRO’s facility in Sriharikota.
The year 2022 also saw private rocket startup Skyroot Aerospace successfully test flying its Vikram sounding rocket from Sriharikota.
On the technology transfer, ISRO has transferred its knowhow for Indian Mini Satellite Bus to about six players and to about 10 companies the lithium-ion battery, he said.
Other major events in 2022
Somanath became ISRO’s Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space.
Launch of GSAT-24 satellite for Tata Play.
ISRO tested a large human rated solid rocket booster for the Gaganyaan programme.
Successful launch of EOS-04 (RISAT) satellite by the PSLV- C52 rocket.
Launch of 200th RH200 sounding rocket.
End of life of India’s Mars Orbiter announced.
INSAT-4B satellite decommissioned.
Indian satellite startup Pixxel launched its first satellite Shakuntala with SpaceX rocket.
A damage in the soft seal in a critical valve of GSLV rocket resulted in failure of GISAT mission in 2021 stated the Failure Analysis Committee.
India’s PSLV-C53 rocket successfully orbited three Singaporean satellites and payloads of two Indian space start-ups- Digantara and Dhruva Aerospace.
NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of India’s Department of Space, has agreed to transfer ‘Optical Imaging System’ technology to Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd.
Maiden flight of SSLV rocket failed.
The ISRO has developed a microprocessor-controlled knee (MPK) which is ten times cheaper against imported ones.
India’s defunct Radar Imaging Satellite-2 (RISAT-2) hit the Indian Ocean near Jakarta.
The Indo-French ocean observation satellite EOS 06 and eight other nano satellites were orbited by PSLV-C54 rocket.
(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
